The Playschool have decided to sign up to a new scheme called the Path Finder.  This will allow the parents of three year olds claiming the nursery grant to do flexible hours if they so choose.

 Each child is entitled to 15 hours a week which they can take as follows:

• 3 hours a day over a week Monday to Friday = 15 hours
• 3 hours a day over 4 or 3 days = 12 or 9 hours.  This means there would be hours owing to them

These additional hours could be used at our lunch club.  Each lunch club would use up one hour.

Alternatively, you could use the lunch club as part of the session by sending your child in at 10am instead of 9am each day.

There are obviously various different scenarious to choose from, but we will only be able to honour these if we have enough children and spaces.

To join up to the Path Finder, we have to offer some flexibility now so as from 3rd November to 17th December, we are going to have two start times - 9am and 10am if parents want it.

If you wish to use your child's entitlement more flexibly, or you would like more information, please speak to Auntie Karen or Auntie Christine.

The playschool recognises that parents are the first and most important educators of their children.  Parents are welcome to:

• Put their name on our parent rota to help during sessions.
• Assist with fundraising.
• Join our committee to help with the smooth running of playschool.
• Be involved with playschool events.

A typical playschool day consists of

• Playschool starts.
• Register - This is a time when the group is together to share news and discuss our topic of the day/week, the weather and show and tell.
• Small Groups – The children are divided into groups and their key worker performs specific tasks with them.
• Free Play – We provide a range of difference activities for the children to choose from.
• Singing/Music.
• Drinks and snacks.
• Physical play, outdoors if possible.
• Story time.
• Home time or Lunch Club.

This routine may change during the summer months when we bring the outdoor play time forward to avoid being outside during the heat of the day.

We have a topic-based curriculum, which changes each half term, this allows each child to develop at their own pace, learning through play, stimulating their thought processes by encouraging their imagination.  Our curriculum planning is guided by the Early Learning Goals of the Foundation Stage of the National Curriculum starting with the Birth to Three Matters Framework.

Each term the children are divided into groups usually with six children per ‘small group’.  Each small group is the responsibility of a specific member of staff – key worker.  The key worker is able to build a special relationship with the children in their small groups.  They will monitor the children’s progress; liaise with parents, carers and the playschool leaders.  A child profile records your child’s progress and you can see this at any time, just ask your key worker.  If you are a working parent and unable to come into playschool to see your child’s profile, please let us know and we will send a copy home for you.

Watton-at-Stone Playschool has a comprehensive list of policies.  These are always available for inspection at the playschool.  The policies are as follows:

• Admissions
• Behaviour Management and Procedures
• Child Protection
• Complaints
• Confidentiality
• Diet Policy and Practice
• Equal Opportunities
• Food and Drink
• Health and Hygiene
• Lunch Club
• Parental Involvement
• Safety Policy and Practice
• Selecting Play Equipment and Toys
• Settling In
• Special Needs
• Staffing and Employment
• Student Placements
• Sun Protection

We comply with the procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee.

We aim to create an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is responded to promptly and appropriately.

We believe that children and adults flourish in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them.  The children are free to play and learn without fear of being hurt or hindered by anyone else.  We aim to work towards a situation in which children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration.

Discipline:

• A child will be told, if any action is dangerous, unsociable or otherwise  unacceptable.
• A child will be told again and also distracted: if no improvement in behaviour is obvious he/she will be withdrawn from the activity for a brief period of time.
• If a child’s behaviour repeatedly gives cause for concern, the parents will be informed.

We do not smack, slap or shake.

A parent who is uneasy about any of the groups provision should first of all talk over any worried and anxieties with one of the Playschool leaders.

We believe that most complaints are made constructively and can be rectified at an early stage.  We also believe that it is in the best interests of the playschool and parents that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt with fairly and in way that respects confidentially.

If the matter is still not resolved to the parents’ satisfaction the parent should contact the Chairperson of the Committee.  (Please see the full Complaints Procedure in our Policy File.)

Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection and to inform playschool as to the nature of the infection, so that we can alert other parents and make careful observations of any child that seems unwell.

Parents are asked not to bring into playschool any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours has elapsed since the last attack. 

We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents, to recognise other adults as a source of authority, help and friendship and to be able to share with their parents to feel welcome and involved from the beginning.

In order to accomplish this, we aim to create a partnership with parents in the following ways:

• By creating opportunities for the exchange of information, using among other resources a copy of the playschool prospectus and a shared approach to the registration form.
• By ensuring plentiful opportunities for parents to inform playschool about their children’s current achievements and interests.
• By encouraging parents to visit playschool with their children during the weeks before an admission is planned.
• By introducing flexible admission procedures, if appropriate, to meet the needs of individual families and children.
• By making clear to families from the outset that they will be welcome and supported in playschool for as long as it take to settle their  children there.
• By reassuring parents whose children seem to be taking a long time settling into playschool.
• By encouraging parents, where appropriate, to separate from their children for brief periods at first, gradually building up to longer absences.

Children cannot play or learn successfully if they are anxious or unhappy.  Our settling in procedures aim to help parents and children to feel comfortable in our playschool, and to ensure that children can benefit from what the group has to offer, and feel confident that their parents will return at the end of the session.