Stoke Gifford Pre-School

Handbook

Version 1 – December 2011

Stoke Gifford Pre-School Poplar Rooms

North Road Stoke Gifford

Bristol BS34 8PE

tel: 07772 546321email: stokegiffordpreschool@hotmail.co.uk

facebook: stoke gifford pre-school

Registered Charity Number 267829

STO

KE GIFFORD

PR

E-SCHOOL

Stoke Gifford Pre-SchoolHelping local children play & learn for over 35 years

STO

KE GIFFORD

PR

E-SCHOOL

Version 1 – December 20111.

Stoke Gifford Pre-School Handbook

Contents

1.Welcome Page 2

2.MeettheTeam Page 3

3.WhatWeAimtoDo Page 4

4.WorkingWithYouforYourChild Page 5 & 6

5.YourChildsTypicalDay Page 6 & 7

6.YourChildsFirstDay Page 7

7.ThingsYouNeedtoKnow Page 8 & 9

a.Sickness

b.Accidents

c.Collectingyourchild

d.Clothing

e.Discipline

f.Allergies

g.Uniform

8.Fees Page 9

9.WhatParentsThink Page 10

2.Version 1 – December 2011

1. Welcome

TheStaffandParentCommitteewelcomesyouandyourchildtoStokeGiffordPre-School.Inthishandbook,writtenbystaffandparents,wehopeyoufindalltheinformationyoumayneedduringyourchild’spre-schoolyearwithus.

Childrenstarttolearnabouttheworldaroundthemfromthemomenttheyareborn.WehopethatthecareandeducationweofferatStokeGiffordPre-Schoolwillhelpyourchildcontinuetodothis.

Overthepasttwentyyearsandmore,thePre-Schoolhasseenmanychildrengrowinconfidenceandlearnnewskillssuchascommunication,teamwork,recognisingandwritingtheirownnameandnumberstomentionjustafew.Allthroughinterestingactivitiesthatarerightforyourchild’sageandstageofdevelopment.Webelieveinnurturingandencouragingyourchildattheirownspeed.

HavingwonalocalgrantintheAutumnof2011,yourchildwillbenefitfromsomefantasticnewequipmentandtoystoplaywithtoo!Fromdigitalcamerasandmagnifyingglassesfortheoutdoorexplorers,tothecosycushionedbookcornerforthebookwormsandthegroupgamesforthesocialites,wehopethatyourchildwillbecateredforineveryway!

Throughateamofhardworking,committedandverydedicatedstaff,childrenhavebeenlearningthroughplayformany

yearswithsomestaffseeingthe2ndgenerationofchildrenjoiningsessions.

WehopeyourchildwillbehappyatStokeGiffordPre-Schoolandwilllovelearningthroughplay,likethemanychildreninStokeGiffordwhohavegonebeforethem.

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3. What We Aim to Do

StokeGiffordPre-SchoolisaregisteredcharityandismanagedbyaCommitteewhothemselvesareparentsofchildrenattendingthepre-school.TheManagementCommitteegivetheirtimefreelyandareelectedbytheparentsofchildrenattendingthePre-Schooleachyear.TheCommitteeareresponsibleforappointingthePre-Schoolstaff,updatingpoliciesandthebusinesssideofrunningthePre-School.TheCommitteealsohavefunsupportingeventslikeendoftermpartiesthroughfundraisingandvolunteering.

TheCommitteemeetsatregularintervalswiththepre-schoolstafftodiscussallaspectsofPre-Schoollifeensuringthattheoperationalsideofthepre-schoolisfunctioningaswellasthebusinessside.Duringthesemeetings,newideasaregeneratedandputinplacerespondingtoindividualchildren’sneedsandparentsuggestionsforimprovement.You,asaparentcanhaveyoursayatanytimetoo.

Wewelcomecommentsandsuggestionsonhowwecancontinuetoofferasuitableandsafeenvironmentforyourchildaswellashelpwithactivitiessuchasfundraisingorvolunteeringduringsessions–youhaveplentyofopportunitytogetinvolved.There’sanAnnualGeneralMeetingintheSummereachyearwhichyouwillalsobeinvitedto.PleaseseetheCommunicationsBoardintheWaitingAreaatPre-SchooloraskamemberofstafforCommittee.

Likeallpre-schoolsinthelocalarea,thePre-SchoolprovidesacurriculumforthefoundationstageofeducationcalledtheEarlyYearsFoundationStage(EYFS).Playcanhelpyourchildlearnanddevelopthroughdoingandtalking,whichresearchhasshowntobethemeansbywhichyoungchildrenthink.WeusetheEYFSguidanceandyourChild’sLearningJournaltoplanandprovidearangeofactivitieswhichhelpyour

childmakeprogressineachoftheareasoflearninganddevelopmentcoveredinthecurriculum.Insome

oftheseactivities,yourchildwilldecidewhattheywanttodointheactivity,andinothers,amemberofstaffwilltaketheleadinhelpingyourchildto‘takepart’inthechosenactivity.Inallactivities,informationfromtheEYFShasbeenusedtodecidewhatequipmenttoprovideandhowtoprovideitsoyourchildcanbeenrichedthroughplay.

StokeGiffordPre-SchoolisamemberofthePre-SchoolLearningAllianceandweareregisteredwithOfstedtoreceivethe

NurseryEducationGrant(NEG).Weareopenforapproximately38weeksoftheyearand

ourTermTimesusuallyrunincloseparalleltoSt.MichaelsCofEPrimarySchoolinStokeGifford.

2. Meet the Team

Wehave5lovelymembersofstaffwhoareexperiencedandhaverelevantqualificationsforworkingwithchildreninearlyyears.Theyare:

Jenny Lyons Pat Stinchcomb QualifiedPlayLeader QualifiedPlayLeader &hasbeenwiththe &hasbeenwiththe PreSchoolsince1993. PreSchoolsince1994. CertificateinEducation NVQLevel3&FirstAid. NVQLevel3&FirstAid.

Jackie Alemzadeh Joanne Sanderson QualifiedPlayWorker QualifiedPlayWorker &hasbeenwiththe &hasbeenwiththe PreSchoolsince2001. PreSchoolsince2003. NVQLevel3. NVQLevel3&FirstAid.

Tracey Pearce PlayWorker&hasbeen withthePreSchool since2007. FirstAid.

Asateam,theirmainaimistopreparechildrenfromtheageof3to5forfulltimeeducationandencourageindependence.Fromthem,yourchildcanexpect:

• Asafeandstimulatingenvironment

• Generouscareandattentionbecauseofourhighratioofadultstochildren

• Thechancetojoinwithotherchildrenandadultstolive,play,workandlearntogether

• Helptotakeforwardtheirlearninganddevelopmentbybeinghelpedtobuildonwhattheyalreadyknowtheycando

• ApersonalKeyWorkerwhowillmakesuretheymakesatisfyingprogress

• APre-Schoolwhichseesworkinginpartnershipwithyouastheirparentaskeytohelpingthemlearnanddevelop

Thetrainingprogrammeforstaffisrobustandcontinuousandthestaffarecommittedthemselvestotrainingprogrammestocontinuallyequipthemwithnewskillsorrefreshcurrentskillsthatcoverallaspectsofchildcare.WealsohavesupportfromtheSouthGloucestershireAdvisoryTeacherwhovisitsusthroughouttheschoolyear.

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child’sLearningJournalorspeaktoyourchild’skeyworkeratanytimealthoughtherewillbesomeallottedtimeduringeachtermtodothisasmentionedabove.

Trips -Tobroadenyourchild’sknowledgeandexperienceoftheworld,thePre-Schoolfromtimetotime,arrangethetripsforchildren.Theseincludetripssuchastothepark,softplay,thetrainstationandthelocalresidentialcarehome.Sometripsarethemedaroundrelevantprojectsyourchildislearningabouttoo.WewelcomeanyparentswholiketohelpandsupportduringthesetripsandwelcomeyourpresenceinPre-Schoolwhenwearejoinedbyvisitors,forexamplefromthelocalzoo.

Other ways you can help -TherearemanywaysinwhichyoucantakepartinmakingthePre-Schoolawelcomingandstimulatingplaceforchildren.Theseincludesharingyourownspecialinterestswiththechildrenwhetherit’sahobbylikecookingorbaking,orsharingyourculturalinterests,forexample,wehavehadaparentinfullIndiandresswithaccompanyingmusicwhenthechildrenlearntaboutDiwali–theHinduFestivalofLightsintheAutumnTerm.Joininginevents,informaldiscussionsandmeetings,buildingfriendshipswithotherparentsinthePre-Schoolandjoiningincommunityactivitiesareotherwaysyoucanhelptoo.

5. Your Childs Typical Day

Onarrivalweaskthatyouencourageyourchildtohanguptheirowncoatandbagonthepegsprovided.Youwillbegreetedbyamemberofstaffattheroomdoorwhereweaskyoutosignyourchildin.Yourchildwillthenbegreetedbyanothermemberofstaffwhowillthenaskyourchildtoidentifytheirnamebadgeandstickitonthenameboard(childrenwillbehelpedwithrecognisingtheirownname).

Duringeachsession,thestaffcarefullyplanarangeofactivitiestoencouragechildrentoplaytogether,independentlyandtakepartinadultledsmallandlargegroups.ThisisinlinewiththeEYFScurriculumandyourchild’sinterests.Activitiesincludesandandwaterplay,modelling,playdough,readingcorner(storytimeisheldtoo),homecorner,dressup,listeningtostorycassetteswithheadphones,floortoyssuchasgarages,cars,farmsandtrains,jigsawpuzzlesandboardgames,drawing/painting/colouring/sticking.ThereisalwayssomethingforyoutopickupanddisplayonyourfridgeattheendofeachsessionespeciallyatChristmasandEastertime.

Eachsessionthechildrenareencouragedtotakepartinoutdooractivitieswhichcancontributetotheirphysicaldevelopment,healthandtheirknowledgeoftheworldaroundthem.Webenefitfromhavingtheparkclosebyforthechildrentouseandwehavelots

OursessionsruninthemorningsonMondaytoFridaycommencingat9.15amandfinishingat12.15pm.EachsessionoperateswithaminimumoftwotrainedstaffinaccordancewithOfstedratios.

Awaitinglistisinoperationandchildrenareadmittedassoonaspossibleaftertheirthirdbirthday.

4. Working With You for Your Child

Weworkinpartnershipwithparentstoseektoenhanceyourchild’slanguage,socialandemotionaldevelopmentinasecuresetting,whichvaluesdiversityandpromotedequality.Werecognisethatparentsarethefirstandmostimportanteducatorsoftheirchildren.Allofthestaffseethemselvesasco-workerswithyouinprovidingcareandeducationforyourchild.TherearemanywaysinwhichparentstakepartinmakingthePre-Schoolawelcomingandstimulatingplaceforyourchildandyouasaparentasdetailedbelow.

Parent Rota -Wehaveavoluntaryparentrotawhereparent/carerscancomeintoasessionandhelp.Thishelpsustogivetimeandattentiontoeachchild,talkwithchildrenabouttheirinterestsandactivities,helpchildrentoexperienceandbenefitfromactivitiesweprovideandallowschildrentoexploreandbeadventurousinsafety.Ifyouareinterestedinhelpingusinthisway,pleaseseeamemberofstaff.

Key Workers -ThePre-Schoolhasakeypersonsystem.Thismeansthateachmemberofstaffhasagroupofchildrenforwhomtheyareresponsiblefor.Yourchild’skeyworkerwillbethepersonwhoworkswithyoutomakesurethatwhatthePre-Schoolprovidesisrightforyourchild’sparticularneedsandinterests.Whenyourchildfirststarts,shewillhelpyourchildsettleandcontinuetoencourageandsupportyourchildthroughouttheirtimeatpre-school.Eachmemberofstaffisreadilyavailableatalltimestotalktoyouaboutyourchildandtheirneeds,however,youwillhaveanopportunityeachtermtohaveashortmeetingduringasession,todiscussyourchild’sdevelopmentasobservedintheirLearningJournals.

Learning Journals -ThePre-SchoolkeepsaLearningJournalforeachchild.Staffmakeregularobservationsandassessmentstosupportchildreninreachingtheirpotential.Yourchild’srecordofachievementhelpsustocelebratetogetheryourchild’sachievementsandtoworktogethertoprovidewhatyourchildneedsfortheirwellbeingtomakeprogress.Youmayasktoseeyour

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7. Things You Need to Know

a. Sickness -PleasedonotsendyourchildtoPre-Schooliftheyhaveaninfectiousvirussuchasconjunctivitis,chickenpox,sorethroat,sicknessand/ordiarrhoeaetc.Childrenaretoremainathomeforatleast48hoursespeciallyiftheyhavehadasicknessand/ordiarrhoeabug).Ifyourchildbecomesillduringasessionthenwewillmakethemascomfortableaswecanandamemberofstaffwillcontactyou.

b. Accidents -AccidentsarerecordedatthePre-Schoolonanaccidentformandyouwillbeaskedtosignthiswhenyoupickyourchildup.Dependingontheseverityoftheaccidentyoumaybecalledatthetimeoftheincidentoranambulancewillbecalledasnecessaryandyouwillbeinformedimmediately.

c. Collecting your child -Itisimportantthatyoucollectyourchildontime.Childrenwhoareleftwaitingwhenmostoftheotherchildrenhavebeencollectedcangetverydistressed.Pleasespeaktoamemberofstaffifyouneedtochangeyourcollectionarrangementsatanytime.

d. Clothing - Comingtopre-schoolisagoodexcuseforgettingmessy!Asmentionedpreviously,wehavealotofmessyplayand,whereasweprovideapronsforthechildren,werecommendthatyourchilddoesn’tweartheirbestclothestopre-school.Pleasenameyourchild’sclothingaswecannottakeresponsibilityforlostitems.

InSummer,itisyourresponsibilitytoensurethatyourchildcomestopre-schoolwearingsuncreamandasunhat.

InWinter,itisyourresponsibilitytoensurethatyourchildcomestopre-schoolwithawarmcoat,hat,scarvesandglovesandappropriatefootwearforoutdoorplaye.g.wellies.

Pleasesupplyyourchildeachsessionwithasparesetofclotheswherepossibleincaseofaccidentsand/ormessyindoorandoutdoorplay.AsaPre-School,weencouragechildrentobeindependentinlookingafterthemselves,thisincludestakingthemselvestothetoiletandtakingoff/puttingonoutdoor/

spareclothes.Clothingwhichiseasyforthemtomanagewillhelpthemdothis.

e. Discipline -ItisveryraretohavetodisciplinechildrenatPre-School,theymustsavetheirnotsogoodbehaviourforhome!However,ifwefindthatyourchildisnotbehavingthewaythatwewouldlikethemtoatPre-School,wewillquietlyandcalmlyremovethemfromthesituation,talktothem,calmthemdownandthen,ifapplicable,encouragethemtosaysorryfortheiractions.Ifyouhaveanyconcernsaboutdisciplineinthe

Pre-School,pleasespeaktoamemberofstaffwhowillbehappytotalktoyou.

ofrideontoysandbikesandoutdoorfloorgameswhichthechildrenuseinthesafeconfinesofthetenniscourt.Ifyouarelucky,thechildrenwillbakeyoulittletartsandcakeswithfruitthattheypickinSummertimefromthefruittreessurroundingthepre-schoolorbringhomeafantasticpieceofartworkusingbeautifulcolouredleavesandtwigsintheAutumntime.

Mid-session,yourchildwillbeprovidedwithasnacktofuelthemformoreplay!Weofferavarietyoffruit,toast,breadsticks,crackersorsimilarandadrinkofeithermilkor

water.Snacktimeisagreattimeforyourchildtosocialiseandinteractwiththeotherchildrenandstaff,thereisalwaysalotof

interestingchattergoingon!Duringatypicalweek,yourchildwillbeencouragedtohelppreparesnacktooinasafeandcontrolledway.Thissupportsthemwithindependenceandagoodappreciationofhealthyfood.

Pleasenotethatweprideourselvesonhavingafantasticfruitselectionanditreliesonparentdonationseachtermforustobeabletoprovidethisforyourchild.Atthebeginningofeachterm,parentsareinformedofthesnackmoneycontributionrequireddependingon

thenumberofsessionsyourchildattendseachweek,ifindoubt,pleaseaskamemberofstaffformoredetails.

Weendthesessionwithabigsingalongwhichisalwaysfunandverynoisy!

Forsafetyandsecurity,youareaskedtosignyourchildoutasyouleave.Pleasenotethatifsomeoneelseispickingyourchildup,includinganotherparentofPre-School,youmustleaveapasswordwithamemberofstaffandyourchildwillbereleasedintotheircareoncethe

passwordisgiven.

6. Your Childs First Day

WewantyourchildtofeelhappyandsafehereatPre-School.Tomakesurethatthisisthecase,thestaffwillworkwithyoutodecideonhowtohelpyourchildsettle.Afteraboutamonthofyourchildattending,youwillbeaskedtocommentonhowyourchildhassettledandanyproblemsyoumightliketoshare.Wewouldlovetohearofanypositivecommentstoo,ifweexceedyourexpectations.

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9. What Parents Think

Sothat’sus–StokeGiffordPre-School.Wehopethatyouhavefoundthishandbookhandy!Thishandbookwaswrittenforparentsbyparentsandwethoughtthatyoumightliketohearwhatwehavetosaytoo–welovethePre-School,wehopeyoudotoo!

“My daughter started preschool the first term after her 3rd birthday and was made to feel welcome by all the staff. Even though she was very shy at first, she soon settled in. She started going only a couple of days a week and gradually increased to full time after 2 terms of attendance, in the year before starting primary school. This has prepared her for a school routine, as well as making friends socially with children who are likely to be in her class at primary school. I particularly like the fact that the preschool teachers spend 50% of their time taking the children outdoors, as my daughter is a very active child who enjoys exploring. They also teach the children good cooking skills, which is my daughter’s favourite activity! My daughter looks forward to the different daily activities and seeing her friends each day. It is a good starting point and preparation for any child who will eventually go to primary school.”

“Having watched 2 nephews thoroughly enjoy their time at Stoke Gifford Pre-School it seemed natural to put our little girl’s name down to attend as well. Our daughter attended the school every morning from the age of 3, making a lovely circle of friends and enjoying the varied play learning on offer. The caring nature shown by the staff is its number one selling point for us and our second child is now attending every morning in readiness for starting primary school.”

“The Pre-School was the only one in the area that could take my daughter at 2 ½ years old and she was ready to go! She loved playing and learning and needed a break from the new additions at home. Very quickly my daughter settled due to the experience and nurturing nature of the staff and the fun and varied games she played with other children. From role playing and imaginative play to outdoor and messy play, each day my daughter still looks forward to going to Pre-School to play and learn with her friends.”

f. Allergies -Pleaseensurethatyouinformamemberofstaffofanyallergiesorspecialdietaryrequirementsthatyourchildmayhave.

g. Uniform -ThisisnotcompulsoryatthePre-School,however,ifyouwouldliketopurchaseapoloshirt,teeshirt,cardiganorjumperwithourlogo,pleaseobtainanorderformfromtheCommunicationsBoardintheWaitingAreaorfromamemberofstaff.Pleasenotethatfromtimetotime,wehavesomesecondhanditemsthatareavailablefromstaffwithallproceedsgoingtothePre-School.

8. Fees

FeeswillbeinvoicedpertermatthebeginningofeachtermandwilldetailthenumberofsessionsyourchildattendslessanysessionscoveredbytheNurseryEducationGrant(NEG),ifapplicable.

ChequesshouldbemadepayabletoStokeGiffordPre-Schoolandcanbehandedtoanymemberofstaff.Pleasewritethenameofthechildonthereversesideofthecheque.

Invoicesaretobesettledwithin14daysofissueplease.Ifpaymenthasnotbeenreceivedafterthe14thday,aremindernoticewillbesent.Shouldfeesremainunpaid7daysfromthereminder,yourchild’splacecouldbewithdrawnsubjecttoonemonth’snotice.

Ifaparentorcarerforeseesdifficultiesinmakingpayments,pleasenotifyamemberofstaff,sothatanyspecialcircumstancescanbeconsidered.

Feesarenon-returnableandarepayableregardlessofabsencesduetoillnessandholidays.Onceyouhaveacceptedyourchild’sstartdateatthePre-School,sessionswillbechargedfromthatdate.

Oneterm’snoticeisrequiredshouldyouwishorneedtoremoveyourchildfromthePre-School.