Welcome Pack

Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

We are a well-established playgroup which has been based at St Bartholomew’s School for over 15 years. We are run by a voluntary management committee made up of parents from Longnor and the surrounding area. The committee always welcomes new members, without the help and support from parents the Playgroup is unable to opertate. So if you would like to get involved, just ask! We are a small, warm and friendly group which is staffed by local people. We are open to all children of pre-school age (2 years – rising 5’s).

We meet at the primary school in Longnor and are fortunate to have the use of brand-new purpose-built premises, which we moved into in November 2004. This new-build was funded by the SureStart Staffordshire Moorlands Local Programme and was opened by Charlotte Atkins MP in December 2004. The room, which is bright and airy, is built to crèche specifications with a high level of safety in mind. We have low-level toilets, basins, sinks and windows all designed specifically for use by pre-school age children of all abilities. As well as the lovely indoor facilities we also have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, which the children can access at all times when the weather allows.

OUR AIMS

Our aims are:

To provide a welcoming, caring, anti-discriminatory and safe environment where all children feel valued and can explore and develop at their own pace

To offer children a wide variety of activities and equipment to stimulate and support their development

To build close partnerships with parents and carers to ensure good understanding of children’s needs

To play an active part in the community and promote good relationships with local families, the school and the wider community.

STAFF

Playgroup Leader
Heather Fryer Winder
Heather has a Foundation Degree and is working towards a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood studies

Playgroup Assistant
Nichola Williams
Nichola is qualified to NVQ Level 3 and is working towards Level 4

Volunteer Helpers
Jennifer Barber & Della Malkin
Both Jennifer and Della are qualified to NVQ Level 2 and Della is working toward Level 3

As mentioned above, all staff hold or are working towards recognised qualifications in childcare and children’s development. They have all undergone suitability checks through the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) and the Criminal Records Bureau.

Heather is a fluent German speaker.

We welcome help and input from parents. If you are interested in becoming a parent helper, please speak to Heather.

OPENING HOURS
DayMorningLunchAfternoon
Monday9.15am-12.15pm12.15-12.45pm12.45pm-3.15pm
Tuesday9.15am-12.15pm12.15-12.45pm12.45pm-3.15pm
Wednesday9.15am-12.15pm12.15-12.45pm12:45pm-3.15pm

During term time only. (Term dates are posted on the notice board in our lobby, or you can see them here.) You can then combine any of the sessions to suit yourself, the cost being appropriate to the number of sessions booked.

REGISTERING AND BOOKING A PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD

We ask parents/carers to complete a Registration and Consent Form when their child first starts at playgroup. This provides us with the essential information staff need to know (home address, emergency contact details, allergies, dietary requirements, etc). A copy of the form can be found at the back of this pack. We also ask parents to pre-book the playgroup sessions they would like their child to attend. Places are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. This means we can always ensure that we have adequate staff and resources available and that we operate within the legal adult: child ratios set in place by Ofsted. A booking form is included at the back of this pack.

FEES

Morning session (3 hours) -- £7.50

Lunch session (1/2 hour, lunch not provided, please bring own) -- £1.50

Afternoon session (2½ hours) -- £6.50

Full day -- £15.50

Parents are asked to pay in advance for the sessions they have reserved. An invoice is issued at the beginning of each half-term to cover the sessions your child will attend during that half-term. If parents inform us well in advance of sessions they know their child will not attend (eg due to holidays) then these sessions will not be invoiced. However, refunds will not be available for sessions which your child does not attend at short notice (eg because of illness). If paying for sessions up front is problematic for you please speak to Heather and we will make alternative arrangements.

FUNDED PLACES FOR 3 YEAR-OLDS

From the age of 3 years all children are eligible to receive up to five 2½-hour sessions of funded care and education per week. We are able to offer your child a fully funded place at playgroup from the beginning of the term after his/her third birthday. Please ask Heather for details. We have very good links with St Bartholomew’s School designated nursery which also has funded places available (mornings only).

SETTLING YOUR CHILD IN

Starting playgroup can be an exciting but daunting time for young children, particularly if this is the first time they have been separated from parents on a regular basis. We are happy for you to break your child into playgroup gently – perhaps by accompanying him/her to the first session (you will not be charged for this) and then gradually leaving your child in our care for longer periods over the following weeks.

DROPPING OFF & COLLECTION

We ask that children are dropped off and collected promptly. If you are delayed and will be late collecting your child please telephone the Playgroup Leader as soon as possible to let her know. We are required to have two members of staff present with children at all times and staff may need to make arrangements to stay behind until you arrive. We have a policy in place for the non-collection of children, which parents and carers may see at any time. Your child will be signed in and signed out on the register at the beginning and end of every session by the Playgroup Leader. You are asked to indicate on the Registration Form the names of all adults who will collect your child and only “registered collectors” will be allowed to do so.

CHILD LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

During each playgroup session we aim to offer the children a range of play activities and experiences which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. We try to achieve a balance between free play and child-led activities, and activities which are adult-led. Information on the activities we plan is always on display within the setting. The Longnor and District Pre-School will comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS).

The EYFS is a single quality framework to support children’s learning and development from Birth to 5 years. The Framework recognises that there is a development continuum for children and this is reflected in the development and learning grids. The EYFS brings together documents practitioners are currently working with to ensure good practice across the age range. This Means from September 2008 all providers offering care and education to children aged 0-5 outside of the family home will be working to the same framework and standards.

The framework is based on 4 Themes and Principles and supported by 16 commitments. It recognises children as individuals and competent learners. The EYFS is delivered through a well planned play based approach to learning and development.

For all children learning begins at birth. The EYFS will help practitioners provide appropriate play experience to enable your child to develop in all areas. It will enable practitioners to recognise your child’s strengths and areas they need more support to develop new skills. For young children it is important that they are made to feel safe and secure in their surroundings, this is aided by having ‘Key Person’ within the setting who gets to know you and your child well and builds a positive relationship with you both.

The EYFS means that wherever your child is being cared for or educated between 0-5 years they will be following the same set of principles, they will be offered a ‘principled play based approach to learning and development’. Young children learn best through play and Early Years Practitioners will be able to provide your child with appropriate play and learning experiences for their stage of development and help them develop new skills. The activities that are provided for young children will underpin the skills they need to work towards the Early learning Goals in the following at the end of their reception year at school.

All areas are of equal importance and many activities will cover many of the areas. Each area is divided up into stages of development and practitioners are able to identify resources and learning opportunities for individual children dependant on their development needs.

The EYFS also encourages practitioners and parents and carers to work together to help children develop to their full potential. For you this means, the opportunity for you to input information about your child’s development, also if your child attends more than one setting, e.g. a childminder and an Early Years setting they are encouraged to discuss your child’s development and work together to provide a cohesive care package for you and your child.

If your child has a Special Educational Need and/or disability additional information is imbedded in the EYFS to enable practitioners to target work specifically and help children to progress.

If you have any further questions about the EYFS please contact Heather at the Longnor & District Pre-School.

FOOD AND DRINK

We offer a healthy snack during each session, including fresh fruit, toast, breadsticks, milk and water. Parents are asked to let us know about any particular dietary requirements on the Registration and Consent form.

NAPPIES AND POTTY TRAINING

Our setting has purpose-built children’s toilets, washing and changing facilities, offering your child safety and privacy, whilst allowing staff to maintain supervision. If your child is using nappies, though a limited number are kept at Playgroup, we request that you provide your own supply of nappies, wipes and cream, clearly labelled with your child’s name. Should your child still be in the transition period then we will be pleased to help with ‘toilet training’, but please supply clean clothes for each session in case of any accidents. As we do not have the facility to dispose of soiled nappies, we will have to return them with your child, at the end of the session.

INJURIES AND ILLNESS

Policies are in place for accidents, injuries and illness during playgroup sessions. Please ask if you would like to see them.

A trained first aider is present at every session and will deal with any minor accidents (eg bumps, grazes) which your child may have. In the event of a serious accident, emergency treatment will be sought (provided you have given consent for this).

If your child becomes ill whilst at playgroup, you will be contacted as soon as possible and asked to collect him/her.

Parents are requested to let the Playgroup Leader know about any existing injuries a child may have when he/she is dropped off at playgroup.

SICKNESS & MEDICINES

The Playgroup is not able to care for sick children and we ask that parents do not bring their child if he/she is poorly or suffering from an infectious illness. If your child comes down with an infectious illness (eg chicken pox) please inform us.

In certain circumstances we are able to administer medicine, with prior written consent from parents. Please refer to our procedure on administering medication.

SAFETY AND STANDARDS

Safety and welfare are of paramount importance. We provide a safe and secure environment for children, so that you have confidence that your child or children are well looked after. We carry out daily checks of the playgroup premises. We comply with the National Standards for Early Years Provision which is monitored by Ofsted. We are regularly inspected and we have support from the Staffordshire Early Years Team.

POLICIES

Staff work according to policies which are agreed and reviewed by the committee on an annual basis. Parents are welcome to view our policies at any time at the setting.

OUTINGS

From time to time we organise outings to local venues, such as soft play facilities, the library etc. Parents are always informed about outings well in advance and are asked to give written consent for their child to go along. We try to ensure a ratio on one adult to two children on all outings and parents are very welcome to come along with us.

INCLUSION, INCORPORATING SPECIAL NEEDS

Our Playgroup welcomes and aims to give all children the opportunity to participate fully in any activity, to give each child a feeling of belonging and being valued, to be missed if they are not there, to be unique, become strong communicators and to be able to explore.

The Playgroup has wheelchair access and we would make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate the needs or requirements of any child with special needs.

We are very happy to work with parents and professionals to support all children to gain maximum enjoyment and benefit from their time at playgroup. Our Equalities Named Coordinator (“ENCO”) is Heather Fryer-Winder. Our Special Needs Coordinator (“SENCO”) is Nicola Williams.

COMPLAINTS

We aim to foster close relations with parents and carers and to be open and friendly in the way we communicate. We welcome the views of parents about the services we offer and how we can improve them. However, if a situation arises where you wish to make a complaint, please speak to Heather in the first instance. Polices regarding verbal and written complaints are in place and will be followed. All this information can be produced on request in other formats and other languages.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO WELCOME YOU AND YOUR CHILD TO LONGNOR & DISTRICT PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP

All this information can be produced on request in other formats and other languages.