Gislingham Playgroup Prospectus
Broadfields Road, Gislingham, Eye, IP23 8HX
CONTACT: DEBBIE HUNT – PLAYGROUP LEADER
PLAYGROUP- 01379 788934
Mobile 07774 717311
Registered Charity 1158570
WELCOME TO GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP
Gislingham Playgroup was first opened in 1972 and was run by a group of parents originally to provide support for families with young children in the village community. The Playgroup has developed into a registered charity organisation run by a voluntary committee of parents and carers of the children who attend.
The Playgroup is registered to provide sessional care for up to 24 children each session, from the age of 2 years to school age, in-line with the school terms.
Gislingham Playgroup aims to:
· Provide a safe environment for learning through play in an imaginative and satisfying way.
· Provide high quality care and education for children.
· Work in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop.
· Add to the life and well being of its local community.
· Offer children and their parents a service which promotes equality and values diversity.
Gislingham Playgroup follows the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) setting the standards for learning, development and care for children, and is regulated and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).
The EYFS is underpinned by Every Child Matters which is the Government agenda that focuses on bringing together services to support children and families. It sets out five major outcomes for children:
· being healthy
· staying safe
· enjoying and achieving
· making a positive contribution
· economic well-being
Using the EYFS effectively enables Gislingham Playgroup to support children in meeting the outcomes.
All children and parents/carers are welcomed and treated with respect regardless of their ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background, special educational needs, gender or ability.
OPENING TIMES
Monday 8.45am - 3.45pm
Tuesday 8.45am - 3.45pm
Wednesday 8.45am - 3.45pm
Thursday 8.45am - 3.45pm
Friday 8.45am - 3.45pm
Monday -Friday we offer Lunch Club 11.45am -12.45pm.
Children receive government funding from the term after their third birthday. The government funding entitles each child to five free sessions per week, which can be utilised at any childcare facility. As part of receiving government funding we are duty bound to pass on children's records to their school or next setting.
FEES
£10.50 per session for 2 year olds
£8.50 per session for 3 year olds (if not using government grant at Gislingham
Playgroup).
All Day 2 sessions + Lunch Club Fee.
Lunch Club £3.00
PAYMENT METHOD
Payment will be accepted either by cash or cheque.
Invoices will be sent out two weeks before payment is due and fees will be
expected half termly in advance. We will confirm that we have received
payment with a receipt.
A copy of the admissions, fees and finance policy will be issued with your first
invoice.
We accept B.A.C.S Payment
We accept Childcare Vouchers.
THE MANAGEMENT OF GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP
A committee is formed and the posts of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer are nominated and elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is open to the parents/carers of all the children who attend Playgroup and it is their forum to look back over the previous years activities and to shape the coming years.
The committee is responsible for:
· Managing Playgroup finances.
· Employing and managing the staff.
· Making sure that the Playgroup has and works to policies which help it provide a high quality service.
· Making sure that the Playgroup works in partnership with the children's parents/carers.
· Making sure the Playgroup adheres to the law.
· Making sure that the Playgroup meets the aims set out in the constitution.
ELECTED POSTS
Chairperson Chris Towndrow
Secretary
Treasurer Joanne Holmes
Committee meetings are held monthly during term time and parents/carers meet together to discuss management and staff issues, finances and fundraising, and any other relevant matters.
Parents/carers are encouraged to join the committee and are always made welcome, as Gislingham Playgroup is a committee-run organisation.
STAFF
Gislingham Playgroup employs experienced and dedicated staff, who provide the highest possible quality care and education for the children in a welcoming, safe, stimulating and happy environment.
Playgroup Leader Debbie Hunt CACHE Level 3
NVQ in Children's Care,
Learning and Development.
Special Educational Needs
Coordinator (SENCO).
Named person for Health
and Safety.
Deputy Playgroup Leader Michelle Woodward CACHE Level 3
NVQ in Children's Care,
Learning and Development.
Safeguarding Children Coordinator.
Deputy SENCO
Playgroup Assistant Mary Moore NVQ Level 3
Playgroup Assistant Gemma Marshall NVQ Level 3
Relief staff are also employed to cover courses, illness or holidays.
Staff have current qualifications in First Aid for Child Carers, Safeguarding Children and Food Hygiene. The staff are committed to keeping their skills and professional development up to date by attending regular training courses.
All committee members and staff are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
As required by Ofsted, Gislingham Playgroup has written detailed policies and procedures complying with the Statutory Framework of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This ensures that your child is cared for in the highest possible manner and that all families using our services know about our intentions and methods. All policies and procedures are written in a clear and easy to understand format. These can be found in the Operational Plan which is situated in the kitchen during each session. Please feel free to look at these at any point and if you have any questions please ask a member of staff.
THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME PROVIDED
Gislingham Playgroup follows the principles of the EYFS and puts into practice the following four themes:
A Unique Child - every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships - children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents/carers and/or a key person.
Enabling Environments - the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning.
Learning and Development - children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected.
The six areas of Learning and Development are:
· Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
· Communication, Language and Literacy.
· Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy.
· Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
· Physical Development.
· Creative Development.
None of these areas of Learning and Development can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other to support a rounded approach to child development.
Staff follow the Practice Guidance for the EYFS, which sets out Development Matters (key learning objectives) which describe the stages through which children are likely to pass as they move on to achieve Early Learning Goals (ELGs). For each area of Learning and Development the ELG states what is expected each child will know, and be able to do, by the end of the reception year.
There can be a big difference between the development of children of similar ages. At the same time, age can be a cue, when taken with all other factors, to indicate that development may be atypical and that a child may need extra support. Each child's progress is individually observed and monitored in order to provide the appropriate activity or learning opportunity to help the child move on to the next stage of development.
All areas of learning will be delivered by staff through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-chosen activities.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development Educational programme
Children must be provided with experiences and support which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others; social skills; and a positive disposition to learn. Gislingham Playgroup ensures support for children's emotional well-being to help them to know themselves and what they can do.
Communication, Language and Literacy Educational programme
A child's learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening, being read to and beginning to read and write must be supported and extended. Gislingham Playgroup provides opportunity and encouragement to use their skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes, and be supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Educational Programme
Children must be supported in developing their understanding of Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding. Gislingham Playgroup provides opportunities to practise and extend their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Educational programme
Children must be supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. Gislingham Playgroup supports their learning through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; undertake practical ‘experiments’; and work with a range of materials.
Physical Development
Educational programme
The physical development of young children must be encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Gislingham Playgroup supports them in using all of their senses to learn about the world around them and to make connections between new information and what they already know. They must be supported in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food.
Creative Development
Educational programme
Children's creativity must be extended by the provision of support for their curiosity, exploration and play. Gislingham Playgroup provides opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, for example, through a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role-play activities, mathematics, and design and technology.
THE LEARNING JOURNEY PROFILE
The Playgroup keeps a Learning Journey Profile for each child, this is a confidential written record and by looking, listening and noting staff are able to:
· Get to know a child better and develop positive relationships with children and their parents/carers.
· Plan appropriate play and learning experiences based on the children's interests and needs, and identify any concerns about a child's development.
· Further develop their understanding of a child's development.
Staff observations of children help them to assess the progress which children are making. Observations help staff to decide where children are in their learning and development and to plan what to do next.
Parents are children's first and most enduring educators and know their children better than anyone else, and therefore parental input into these records is vital.
THE KEY PERSON
A Key Person has special responsibilities for working with a small number of children, giving them the reassurance to feel safe and cared for and building relationships with their parents/carers.
The Key Person will observe and keep confidential records of each child's development during their time at the Playgroup.
The Key Person will share perceptions with parents/carers and colleagues identify areas where extra support may be needed, recognise and celebrate strengths and gain a better knowledge of what each child can achieve. This will enable Gislingham Playgroup to improve its provision and develop the learning environment.
STARTING AT PLAYGROUP
We want your child to feel happy and safe at the Playgroup. To make sure that this is the case the staff will work with you to decide on how to help your child settle into Playgroup.
THE MORNING & AFTERNOON SESSIONS
Gislingham Playgroup believes that care and education are equally important in the experience which we offer children. The routines and activities that make up the playgroup's session are provided in ways that:
· Help each child to feel that she/he is a valued member of the playgroup.
· Ensure the safety of each child.
· Help children to gain from the social experience of being part of a group.
· Provide children with opportunities to learn and help them to value learning.
The Playgroup organises its sessions so that the children can choose from and work at a range of activities. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult-led small and large group activities which introduce them to new experiences and help them gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others.
Outdoor activities contribute to children's health, their physical development and their knowledge of their world around them. The children have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in outdoor child chosen and adult-led activities as well as those provided indoors.
SNACKS AND FOOD
The Playgroup makes snack time a social occasion using the rolling snack bar method. During snack time we will promote independence by encouraging children to pour their own drinks as well as clearing away. We promote healthy eating and aim to provide the children with healthy and nutritious food. As part of your child's registration you will be required to complete information regarding special dietary requirements and allergies. This will then be used to alert all staff.
PLAY & STAY
Research shows that children learn better when their parents/carers are involved and we welcome those who wish to stay and play for a session. This helps maintain the high ratio of adults to children in our group, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child. It also gives parents/carers the opportunity to take an active part in the group to see what happens there and talk about it afterwards with their child. In addition, it provides a valuable opportunity for children to see their own parents/carers in a new role. Please see a member of staff if you would like to take part.
Our playgroup aims to support parents/carers
· To assist in the group with the children
· To assist with fundraising
· To take part in the management of the playgroup
CLOTHING
Gislingham Playgroup sweatshirts and polo shirts are available to purchase. Playgroup provides protective clothing for the children when they play with messy activities.
We realise that children have accidents of either a personal nature or during play (paint or water generally); these are treated with respect and privacy of the child.
Gislingham Playgroup requests that each child brings a change of clothes in a named bag to each session and that a named waterproof coat and wellies are supplied for outdoor play and indoor shoes. Please also clearly name items such as lunch boxes, drink bottle, Playgroup sweatshirts and polo shirts.
We actively encouraged children to be independent in personal needs; you can help in this case by ensuring that their clothes are suitable for them to manage.
The following garments are less suitable for children within the session:
Denim jeans (with stiff buttons)
Dungaree type trousers
Shirts with cuffs
Wellington boots (inside)
Jelly shoes (these are very dangerous, as they have no grip)
Ankle leather/trainer boots with laces.
FUNDRAISING
As a registered charity, there is a Fundraising Committee and Gislingham Playgroup holds fundraising events to raise money to enhance resources and equipment for the setting. These events vary from cake stalls to charity auctions and the committee, staff and parents/carers work together to make sure every event is as successful as possible.
PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS/CARERS
All staff see themselves as co-workers with parents in providing care and education for your child. There are many ways in which parent/carers take part in making the Playgroup a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents/carers, such as:
· Exchanging knowledge about the child's needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff.
· Helping at Playgroup sessions (parent/carer help rota).
· Sharing their own special interests with the children.
· Helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the children's play activities.
· Being part of the management of Playgroup, by becoming a committee member.
· Taking part in the events and informal discussions about the activities provided by Playgroup.
· Joining in community activities in which Playgroup takes part.
· Building friendships with other parents/carers in the Playgroup.
· You can offer to take part in a session by sharing your own interests and skills with the children. Parents/carers have visited Playgroup to introduce the children to French; take basic aerobics exercises; and share their own experiences. Please let the staff know if you have anything you would like to share.
Thank you for enquiring about Gislingham Playgroup. We feel sure the children in our care will flourish and build both in self-esteem and confidence and will be motivated to learn through play in our fun, safe and caring environment.
Please feel free to contact us for further information at anytime.
SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICINES BY STAFF
Parents/carers are respectfully requested, that any form of medicines or medications, e.g. Inhalers, lotions/creams, nappy creams, teething gels, suntan lotions etc are given to staff at the beginning of the session. This is to ensure that they are stored safely by the staff (as required by law) at all times. Items may be collected at the end of the session.
It is important that medicines or medications are NOT left in the children's bags.
Many thanks for your co-operation.
NB Staff require parental/carer written consent before any form of medication can be administered