Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
CONTENTS Welcome to Payhembury Playgroup…………………………………..2 Staff and Committee……………………………………………………………3 Starting your child at Playgroup………………………………………..4 An afternoon at Playgroup…………………………………………………..5 Fees…………………………………………………………………………………………..6 The Early Learning Goals……………………………………………………..7 Special Educational Needs………………………………………………….11 Outside links…………………………………………………………………………..11 Visits outside Playgroup……………………………………………………….13 Any questions?......................................................................... 13 Management and Administration…………………………………….….16 The role of parents……………………………………………………………….19 Final note…………………………………………………………………………………19 1 WELCOME TO PAYHEMBURY PLAYGROUP Payhembury playgroup was established in 2001 by Plymtree Playgroup and became independent in October 2005. It is run by a voluntary committee of parents who, with the staff, aim to provide a safe and stimulating environment for pre-school children. Sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 12.45 pm and 3.15 pm and Friday 9.30 – 12. The emphasis is on learning through play and having fun! Children learn to socialise, share, exchange ideas and cooperate with each other and with adults. There is a high ratio of adults to children ensuring individual care and attention at all times. The Playgroup is regulated and inspected by OFSTED and receives Early Years Funding. It is registered with the local Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and contributes to the Partnership’s overall planning to provide care and education throughout the Foundation Stage. The Playgroup is also a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PLA). Payhembury Playgroup welcomes all staff, volunteers, children and their families or carers committed to the care and education of the children regardless of ethnic group, religion, race, nationality, first language, disability, age, status, sexual orientation, medical requirements, offending background or social or family commitments. The Playgroup is a registered charity. 2 STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS From April 2007 the members of the committee are as follows: Chair Secretary Treasurer EYEF Treasurer Fundraising Publicity Staff Liaison Victoria Robinson Sue Holmes Jenny Burgess Becky Gammon Jane Spiller Justine Whipp Becky Gammon 01404 822796 01404 841672 01404 841449 01404 841825 01404 841215 01404 841825 Committee meetings are held monthly and the AGM is in August. All parents and carers are encouraged to attend. The staff at Payhembury Playgroup are as follows: Playleader Reserve playleaders Assistant Playleader Reserve Play Assistants Gill Donne-Davis 07907584667 Jane Wood Jayne Martin Sonia James Jenny Burgess Victoria Robinson All committee members, staff and volunteers hold or are working towards a relevant qualification and have been vetted by the CRB and are police checked. A qualified Early Years First Aider is present at every session. 3 STARTING YOUR CHILD AT PAYHEMBURY PLAYGROUP Your child may start at the Playgroup in the half-term before their third birthday. It is important for parents/carers and Playgroup staff to work together to help your child feel confident and secure in the group. This will take longer for some children than others and you should not feel worried if your child takes a while to settle you are welcome to stay as necessary and if your child is particularly attached to a toy or comfort blanket, then do bring it along. Each child will be given a named tray for precious items, work and letters to be taken home. As well as being an important “personal” space, these will help your child learn to recognize his/her own name. To register with the Playgroup, we ask you to complete a short Admission form. This will give us contact names and numbers, including your doctor, any relevant dietary or medical information and also details of anything you feel your child might like us to know, such as names of pets or family. We are very proud of the way most children quickly settle into Payhembury Playgroup. The purpose of this booklet is to give you some basic information about the Playgroup and how it works. If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please do ask – we very much welcome your comments and suggestions. 4 AN AFTERNOON AT PLAYGROUP A timetable of activities is put on the notice board at the beginning of each term, but minor alterations may be made during the term to accommodate seasonal weather or interesting events. Sessions usually go something like this: 12.45 Arrive at playgroup. Hang up coat, place apple on registration tree 12.50 Quiet Activities 1.00 Circle time: daily chart, letter of the week, show and tell. 1.15 Planned group activities begin alongside free play 2.15 Snacktime - everyone washes hands and sits at the table for a drink and snack. Children are encouraged to demonstrate good manners at the table and to take a turn in handing round the food. They will also butter their own crackers to promote independence. 2.30 Free play 2.45 Tidy up time. 3.00 Storytime, song time or physical activities. 3.15 Home time – children collect any work to take home. 5 Please come promptly to collect your child. Parents will be let into the hall at the end of the session as no child is allowed out of the building without an adult. We also ask that you inform the Playleader in advance if another adult is to collect your child - it also helps if your child knows this in advance! Your punctuality at the end of the session is appreciated as some members of staff have other commitments when playgroup ends. Occasionally you may be delayed and unable to reach the Hall by the end of the session. If this happens, please do your best to contact Playgroup on the mobile phone (07907584667). A member of staff will stay at the Hall with your child until 4.00 pm/12.45 and, unless other arrangements have been made, Playgroup policy states that the Police must then be informed. FEES Fees are £6.50 per session, payable by half term (or by arrangement). Children are eligible for nursery funding from the term after they are three years old. To qualify for vouchers, the Playgroup is inspected by OFSTED on a regular basis and each child for whom vouchers are being claimed will need to be registered with the playgroup and attending on the “headcount day” for each term (usually about a week into the term). 6 THE EARLY LEARNING GOALS Curriculum - Learning Through Play In educational terms, the period between the age of 3 and the end of the first year at Primary School (Reception Year) is called the Foundation Stage. The Early Learning Goals are the Department for Education’s curriculum guidelines and set out what it is hoped most children will be able to do by the end of their Reception Year. These provide a good basis for continuing progress through the education system. The Playgroup curriculum for each term is planned ahead by the staff and the children work towards the Early Learning Goals. A parent/carer rota is drawn up each term so that parents/carers can work alongside the staff and help to contribute to the running of the Playgroup. The areas which underpin the curriculum are as follows: Personal, Social and Emotional Development This means helping your child to become an independent person, who acts in a reasonable, well-balanced and confident manner, who enjoys life and is a pleasure to be with – someone who is beginning to understand sociable behaviour and who helps others in the Playgroup to develop in a similar way. At Payhembury Playgroup we aim to provide your child with good role models and encourage good behaviour and manners at all times. There are few rules but any inappropriate behaviour is discussed with your child and dealt with in a positive manner immediately. Language and Literacy Communication skills - reading, writing, listening, music and painting - are developed through increasing use of books, pencils and a variety of craft activities and games. Your child will gradually build up a longer concentration span and feel 7 happy about expressing thoughts and feelings clearly within the Playgroup. We have a well-stocked book corner which children are encouraged to use. Writing and reading skills are developed by the use of the writing/drawing table and named worktrays and extending this to other names and objects of interest. Mathematical Development This covers number and shape recognition, counting, adding on and taking away in games, and also some simple scientific principles, such as floating and sinking, colour changes when paint is mixed, weighing and measuring, mixing, temperature, etc. We encourage the children to look about them to find shapes and name them, to use magnets and find out what will ‘stick’ to them. Water, sand play and cooking can be very constructive, and are popular with the children. Knowledge and Understanding of the World This means your child’s everyday world - home and family, local environment and holiday destinations, as well as the world in general - other countries and climates, other cultures and traditions. We have found that children respond positively to being weighed, measured and to comparing hand and foot sizes so they start to observe positive differences in each other and those around them. These activities are developed by looking at other animals and their young and the way they change as they grow. This helps children to understand the passing of time and we celebrate different festivals throughout the year to help them build up a 8 seasonal pattern and to start to discover other cultures and traditions. Physical Development This includes large scale physical activities, such as climbing, balancing on a beam, learning to ride and steer a tricycle, catch a ball and all the co-ordination skills your child needs to move freely and happily around his/her world. It also covers finer movements such as writing, cutting, sewing and threading, being gentle with animals and smaller children, even spreading butter on a piece of bread! A popular physical activity in recent years has been ‘country dancing’ as the children can remember quite a long sequence of movements when set to music - relevant in all areas of the Early Learning Goals. We feel it is important for the children to have the opportunity to play outside as much as possible and make use of the fenced off area behind the Hall whenever the weather permits. In summer we ensure that the children are protected from the sun with a gazebo (we will also ask you to provide hats and sunscreen) and frequently hold sessions under this. The change of scenery gives the children some fresh air and the chance to let off steam. Creative Development Children like to explore colour, shape, texture, form and space. They like the way words rhyme and the sound and feel of rhythm. Your child will be encouraged to use a variety of tools, paint and craft materials, sticking, singing and making music. We occasionally invite musicians along to hold special sessions. Some activities will be very messy, some will be very noisy, but all the time your child will be developing creatively. 9 The children are encouraged to express their individual creativity. So, when you collect your child from Playgroup and are presented with an unidentified object, please don’t ask outright what it is - encourage those communication skills by asking about it! Final note We do encourage children to join in group activities, but no-one is forced to do so. Many children start Playgroup wanting to “ride the red tractor” all morning, but by the time they leave to start school most will enjoy participating in all the activities offered and have developed friendships with both children and adults in the Playgroup. If you want to find out how to extend your child’s learning at home, look on the Kids’ page of the website. 10 SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS We aim to provide equality of opportunity for all members of our Playgroup, and this includes children with special educational needs. The number of adults present in the Playgroup enables us to provide individual attention for each child with and without disabilities or play/learning difficulties. We work in close liaison with professionals across the range of special needs and we operate within the Government’s Code of Practice on Special Educational Needs. Our local policy is set out in our Policies and Procedures file which you will be given to read. Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is Gill Donne - Davis. OUTSIDE LINKS Payhembury Primary School Payhembury Playgroup and Payhembury Primary School form a partnership to provide early years education and to ensure a seamless transition, with staff working closely together to provide a good early grounding for your child. On Tuesdays, playgroup children have the opportunity to join the Reception Class to help them to get to know the children, teacher, classroom and take a first step towards “big school”. The visit programme is agreed in advance, term by term, by the infant teacher and the Playleader and the activities are designed to be mutually beneficial, being tailored to the make-up and needs of the children from both organizations at the time. Staff at Payhembury School are always willing to give advice to parents and discuss the needs of your child. The contact number for the school is 01404 841291 or send an e-mail to 11 [email protected]. There is also a website: www.payhembury-primary.devon.sch.uk where the school’s prospectus can be viewed. Apple Pips Toddler Group The Toddler Group meets every Monday morning (10 – 12 a.m.) during term-time at Payhembury Village Hall. This is a very friendly group which provides a caring environment for babies and younger children. Contact Kirsty, the Chair for more information. Fund-raising activities are often shared with the Toddler Group and the school, giving the children and parents in both a chance to meet and get to know each other. VISITS OUTSIDE PLAYGROUP From time to time, and with the express consent of parents/carers, we will take the children on local trips of interest or relevance to the termly topics. These might include walks around the village to look at flowers or buildings, visits to the church at Harvest Festival, Easter and Christmas and the occasional trip to the playground. We sometimes arrange trips further afield, such as to Escot Country Park, where a dedicated Education Officer organises nature rambles and other activities. The children enjoy these trips out as do parents and carers who are always welcome. 12 ANY QUESTIONS? This is a sample of the most frequent questions parents ask: How many sessions should my child attend? It does depend on your child and your other commitments, but we would recommend starting with one or two sessions a week as this helps your child to make friends and make the most of the weekly themes. The number of sessions can be increased as your child develops – your Playleader will always be happy to discuss this with you. When will my child start school? If your child’s birthday is between 1 September and 29 February, the usual start date is in the September closest to your child’s fifth birthday. If your child’s birthday is between 1 March and 31 August, the usual start date is in the January of the year your child will be 5. Sometimes children may not be ready to start school with their peers due to illness, speech or behavioural problems or simply because you feel that they are not ready to take that huge step. You are not legally required to send your child to school until the term after his/her fifth birthday, though most children do start before then. If you feel that you would like to exercise this prerogative, please feel free to discuss the matter with us and with the head teacher of the school you wish your child to attend. When should I put my child’s name down for school? This area of Devon is very popular and schools have a limited number of spaces in each year group. You may register your interest with the school but no space will be allocated until you have returned the admission form which will be sent out you in the year before your child begins school. Schools also need to 13 make financial plans well into the future and accurate figures about the number of children that are expected help a great deal. My child has special dietary requirements. What should I do? Any concerns over your child’s diet or food allergies should be discussed with the Playleader when he/she first attends the Playgroup, and written on the Admission form. We provide a healthy snack during the session which can, of course, be tailored to meet your child’s needs. If my child is sick, can he/she still come to Playgroup? Any child suffering from a rash, sore throat, discharge from the eyes, tummy upset or diarrhoea should be kept at home until the symptoms have disappeared. In the case of vomiting and/or diarrhoea, at least 24 hours should have elapsed since the last attack. Should your child become sick during Playgroup hours we will, of course, make every effort to contact the parent/carer or other named contact. Please inform the Playgroup if your child is going to be absent or has become ill so that we can warn other parents to be on the look-out! When will my child be eligible for nursery vouchers and what do I have to do? Your child will be eligible for nursery vouchers from the term after their third birthday. Each term you will be asked to complete a short form and, if you attend other provisions, they will ask you to complete a form for them too. You will be asked to state the number of sessions that your child will be claiming per week that term. The form should be handed to the EYEF 14 Treasurer before the “headcount” day and a single claim will be made on behalf of all 3 and 4 year olds at the playgroup. The money is credited direct to the Playgroup in two payments each term. The Early Years Partnership is entitled to carry out spot checks to ensure that claims made tally with the register and any vouchers claimed but not properly accounted for will have to be repaid. What clothes should my child wear for Playgroup? The Playgroup has a uniform of a t-shirt for the children, details of which are available from theFundraiser. Please help your child choose clothes which are suitable for having fun and playing in – not too new and easily washable. For girls, please, no long dresses or skirts as these can become a hazard during physical activities. Simple clothing which children can handle themselves will enable them to go to the toilet without being too dependent upon an adult, helping them gain confidence and independence. Please ensure that coats and footwear are appropriate to the season and suitable for outside play and walks. If the weather is wet outside please bring dry shoes for your child to change into when they arrive at the hall. Some spare clothes are kept at the Hall should they be needed but you may wish to send your child with a change of clothes of his/her own. We supply overalls for painting, waterplay and cooking. May I stay at Playgroup with my child? Obviously a child who is tense and unhappy will neither enjoy nor benefit from Playgroup. You are welcome to stay with your child for all or part of the sessions, for as many sessions as you wish, if this helps your child to settle. Some children, however, may 15 become too dependent on having their parent/carer present and will find it harder ultimately to be at Playgroup alone. Every child is different in his/her particular needs, so do talk to the Playleader or your child’s key-worker if you have any concerns about how to make the transition between being with or without you easiest for your child and yourself! Does the Playgroup work within any policy framework – if so, how do I find out what the policies are? Being under the regulation of Ofsted and in receipt of Early Years nursery vouchers it is critical that the Playgroup operates within a sound and professional policy framework. The Playgroup has a separate Policies and Procedures folder which is available on request from the hall, on our website, or which can be emailed to you. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Overall Responsibility Payhembury Playgroup is run by a voluntary elected committee which ensures that major decision making is in the hands of the parents who use the Playgroup. The Committee is responsible for reviewing policy and practice and for the employment and appraisal of members of staff. Meetings are held at least once a month and the Annual General Meeting is held in August. Parents are informed in good time so they are able to attend. Minutes of the latest meeting are displayed on the notice board in the Hall and copies of past minutes are available on request. A summary of the minutes will be provided for each family either by e-mail or in paper form. If each family has a 16 representative on the Committee it means all parents can have their say on how their children are cared for. Payhembury Playgroup is entirely dependent on its own resources and is self-financing. The more parents, carers, friends and families become involved in promotion and fundraising, the better facilities the Playgroup will be able to offer and this can only be to the benefit of the children. Most of the jobs are not onerous in themselves and some can even be fun. The more people who are prepared to help out, the more thinly the workload spreads. Parental involvement is informal and voluntary but it is the lifeblood of the village playgroup and critical to its future. And for anyone who wants to become really involved or is considering a career in childcare, the following opportunities exist to: represent the Playgroup at local and national activities of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and Zero 14+. attend open meetings of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and Zero 14+. attend training courses, workshops and conferences organised by the Pre-School Learning Alliance and Zero 14+. Day to Day Responsibility Payhembury Playgroup employs a Playleader and Assistant Playleader at each session. They are usually helped by a parent or carer from the Playgroup rota. The staff are responsible for the day-to-day care of your child, planning activities for each session, ensuring that the equipment used is safe and appropriate and helping each child develop to their full potential in all areas of the Early Learning Goals. 17 Each child is the particular responsibility of one member of staff – their keyworker. It is the keyworker’s job welcome you and your child, to help the child settle into Playgroup, observe progress and to tailor the Playgroup’s curriculum to their unique needs when necessary. Records A file about each child’s progress and individual needs is kept by the keyworker. This contains progress assessments, examples of work and photos, and is given to you when your child leaves the Playgroup. We keep a copy, together with Admission and Permission forms and Early Years Funding forms for 6 years. You are welcome to see and discuss your child’s file at any time. Using the records enables staff to draw up individual play plans where necessary to help all the children in the Playgroup enjoy all the activities on offer and to develop into well-rounded children ready for school. Training Our membership of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and contact with Zero 14 plus ensures we are constantly in touch with current views and recommendations in the field of child education and care. We receive a monthly magazine offering practical advice and information and have access to a large range of professionally produced publications. Parents may ask to see any of these. Information about PLA and Early Years Development Partnership courses open to staff and parents are put on the notice board from time to time. 18 THE ROLE OF PARENTS Parents are the first and most important educators of young children and we encourage parents to become actively involved through our parent helper rota and the Management Committee. At Payhembury we aim to work with parents and welcome support from them. Sometimes suggestions for extending their child’s learning into the home will be given to parents, based on what the child has been doing in sessions – see the website. We also understand that pressures outside Playgroup may affect the family, and we will always offer support to the parents at these times, both to help them and the child through any difficulties. 19 FINAL NOTE Thank you for taking the time to read this handbook. We hope it has provided a clear idea of what the Playgroup does and how it is run. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss any aspect of the Playgroup, please talk to the Playleader, or a member of the Committee. The contact phone numbers are in this Handbook, and on the notice board. Other information, pictures of the work the children have been doing, information about the partnership and contacts are available on our website www.payhemburyplaygroup.org.uk We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Payhembury Playgroup. [June 2007] 20