Aveton Gifford Pre-School

Welcome to our Pre-school which is based at the Memorial Hall at the north end of the village, approximately opposite the school. There is ample off-road, free parking in the Hall car park. There is a disabled space adjacent the Hall entrance and wheelchair ramps are available.

STARTING PRE-SCHOOL

From January 2009 we will be admitting children aged 2 years on a trial basis. Spaces will be limited to a maximum of 4 children under the age of 3 years at each session. The number of 2 year olds admitted will be determined by the number of 3-4 year olds and staff present at any given session. In the case of a waiting list, priority will be given to those who will be attending Aveton Gifford Primary School.

Parents are welcome to stay with their child if he/she is not yet settled.

Pre-School begins at 9.15 am. The Pre-School is not insured to take children before this time, however you will be able to come in from 9.10 am. When you come to collect your child, please arrive promptly. Please wait outside (or in the porch if wet) until a member of staff says your child can go.

If someone other than the parents named on the registration card will be collecting your child, the Senior Practitioner must be informed at the beginning of the session. In the case of unexpected delay in fetching you child, please telephone the setting on 01548 550888.

Please inform the Senior Practitioner of any changes in circumstances, such as change of telephone number or address, but particularly if a change affects who should or should not collect your child.

Unfunded sessions are charged at £6.50 per child/session.

PREPARING FOR PRE-SCHOOL

Please ensure that your child arrives in easy to wear clothes with long hair tied back, and that a little bit of paint or glue won’t matter. We hope your child will be proud to wear an Aveton Gifford sweat shirt or polo shirt, although this is optional – an order form is available.

Children still in nappies must be provided with spare nappies and a spare set of clothes.

Do not bring any sweets to Pre-School. It is helpful if all of the child’s own toys are left at home in case they get lost or broken. They can also cause a great many arguments. If, however, your child has a particular ‘comforter’, it may be brought to Pre-School where it can be placed in a special ‘treasure chest’. This serves the dual aim of encouraging independence whilst simultaneously having their emotional support close at hand if needed.

SICKNESS

Our policy states that you must not bring your child if they have an infectious illness or have been sick or had diarrhoea in the last 48 hours. This also applies to a child with untreated headlice. We appreciate being informed of any contagious illness your child has so that we can advise other parents as necessary. If in any doubt please contact the Playleader or the Chairperson who can advise you.

KEYWORKER

Your child will be allocated a keyworker, either Mandy, Wendy or Lizzie, who will help to settle your child in and keep an eye out for their needs throughout their time here. The keyworker will also keep a record of development and help to plan their ‘Next Steps’. Your keyworker will also be your first point of reference for your child and is available to talk to you about any concerns you have. Though as we are a small Pre-School, all staff will have equal contact and know all the children very well.

We can also keep a scrap book for each child of special work samples and photographs, to keep as a reminder of their happy time at Pre-School and show how much they’ve come on. Please fill out the form in the back of this booklet and return to Pre-School if you would like your child to have a scrapbook.

THE ACTIVITIES

Our key structure of education is ‘Learning Through Play’. You will receive a plan of our activities each half term. Please read this through carefully as there will be weeks when the children are asked to bring items in or outings where they might need suitable clothing. If you have any special items at home which could be of interest to our theme, please bring them in or talk to the Practitioners. You might like to continue themes at home with extra activities or visits.

Curriculum Guidance – Principles For Early Years Education: ‘There should be opportunities for children to engage in activities planned by adults and also those that they plan or initiate themselves. Children do not make a distinction between play and work. Children need time to become engrossed, work in depth and complete activities.’

LUNCH CLUB

The Lunch Club is limited to 8 children per session on a first come first served basis. In order to reserve a place, fill in the Lunch Club request form and hand to the Treasurer or Playleader. Fees will be invoiced each half term. (Please note that children attending Lunch Club must be toilet trained.)

REGISTRATION

Children must be registered for the days they will be attending, at the beginning of term, to be eligible for funding. If you wish to make changes to the days your child attends please inform the Pre-School before the end of the previous term.

Children unable to attend a session for which they are government funded must supply the Pre-School with an absence note. Some suitable slips are provided at the back of this booklet.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Pre-School is managed by a voluntary committee which is made up primarily of parents of children attending the Pre-School and Toddler Group. The committee is responsible for managing matters such as staffing, finance, fundraising and outings. New members are always welcome, please make yourself known if you would like to join. Meetings are usually held about 6 times a year at a mutually convenient time and place. If you are unable to join, volunteers for fundraising events are always greatly appreciated!

We have an information folder which is kept at the Pre-School. Please take it home to read through when your child starts with us, and return it when you have read it. It includes our constitution and policies on special needs, equal opportunities, discipline, complaints, admissions, safety, health and staffing. There is a book to sign to say you have read and understood it. It also includes the most recent Ofsted inspection report.

FOR THE FUTURE

We currently have an exciting New Pre-school Building Project. The proposed site is adjacent to the Primary School grounds with planning permission for a 26 place Nursery Unit. This will benefit the Pre-school and the school with a combination of ‘wrap around’ care for primary school children and all day care and education for pre-school children.

As much help as possible is needed to help with grant applications and raising funds. If you can help in any way please let us know or come along to the next New Building meeting to hear the latest news on developments.

IN CONCLUSION

We want all children to have a happy time while at Pre-school. If you have any concerns big or small, then speak to Mandy or your child’s keyworker at the beginning of a session. If the worry is something you wish to speak about in private then this can be arranged – if not straight away, then as soon as possible. We are here to help. If you have any concern about another child please speak to Mandy or the Chairperson without speaking to anyone else.