Parent's Information letter

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PARENT INFORMATION

 

Welcome to Bramble Hedge Pre-School. We hope you find the following information useful. If you have any questions or queries please contact a member of the committee (details on the notice board in the entrance) or speak to a member of Staff during the Pre-School sessions.

We accept children from the age of two with a birth certificate and will take children that are still in nappies. For parents who are able to assist with running sessions on a permanent basis, subsidised places are available. Please ask committee members or Staff for more information.

COMMITTEE

The committee is formed and run by parents of children attending the Pre-School. We have adopted the PLA Constitution and are a registered charity. We need a committee in order for Pre-School to continue providing for our children. If anyone would like to know more about joining the committee please feel free to ask. This is your Pre-School, run by you the parents, so have your say come and join us.

All parents are members of the Pre-School, although other interested parties may become members if approved by the committee. The members at the AGM held in September each year elect the committee; committee members may serve for up to 4 years.

Pre-School encourages parents of new children to join them on the committee and we value any help and input they can offer All members have the right to be heard at committee meetings and we welcome any suggestions that will benefit Pre-School.

REGISTRATION

Pre-School is registered with OFSTED and follows the strict guidelines required by them.

We are also a Registered Charity, No.1027535 and a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

Pre-School has a policy document outlining its aims and objectives and this is available for anyone to read .

We are inspected annually; the reports are available to read on the notice board.

PRE SCHOOL SESSIONS

At present we are open during term time on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.15am – 11.45am, and on Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 3pm; sessions may alter from time to time. Please do not leave your child before 9.15am/12 noon and wait until the Play Leader is ready. This is for obvious safety reasons and enables us to get the equipment out and ready for use.

If you need to collect your child early or if someone else is collecting your child, please make sure the Play Leader is informed and this information is clearly noted on your Application form. We operate a password system and this will be agreed with you on joining Pre-School. Children will not be allowed to leave without the correct password. If anyone else collects your child please notify the Leaders and make sure the person collecting knows the password.

When you come to collect your child at 11.45am/3pm please wait outside the main Pre-School door until the door is opened. A Play Leader will ask whom you have come to collect and for your password. If you have a pram, please leave it outside the main door, well away from the door and the sides of the path.

St Mary’s School have asked us as a matter of Health & Safety that no-one should park inside school grounds. After 9.00am there should be no problem parking outside the school grounds. Anyone arriving before 9.00am should observe the one-way system in operation on Grange Road – thank you.

We appreciate your co-operation with the procedure for collecting your child. It is to ensure the safety of both children and adults.

If your child is unable to attend a session due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, then please contact us on the Bramble Hedge mobile number, either by telephone or by text.

We are always keen to hear from parents who are interested in helping on a regular basis or who are interested in qualifying as Play Leaders or assistants. Please speak to any of the committee members or staff. We NEED parents to get involved because without your help we are unable to run.

FEES - To cover rent, wages, equipment, food, training and toys.

Fees are kept as low as possible per session. There is a fee for the mobile phone of 50p per term plus 50 p for snacks.

Bills will be issued at the start of each half term payable within two weeks of starting a term. Unfortunately no refunds can be given, as once you have put your child’s name down, you have made a commitment to Pre-School and are liable for all fees. This guarantees your child’s place at Pre-School. Arrears are not allowed as this badly affects the running of the group. Prompt payment is essential, as fees do not cover all Pre-School costs. In special circumstances it is possible to speak to the Treasurer, in confidence, about fees and special arrangements for payment. As we are a charity we need you to get involved in fund raising events and join the committee. We greatly appreciate any support you can give the Pre-School because without your help and input, we are unable to run.

There are free places for eligible 3 years olds; please ask staff for details.

SNACKS

At each session we serve a light, nutritious snack, such as cheese and crackers, fruit, biscuits, etc., and a drink of milk or water. If your child has an allergy please let us know.

CLOTHES - Please us help by doing the following:-

  1. Putting your child’s name in their clothes.
  2. Sending your child in clothes which are easily removed for going to the toilet.
  3. Not sending your child in best clothing – although we provide aprons we cannot avoid occasional accidents with paint, water, etc.
  4. Sending your child in a coat even in warm weather in case it turns cold.
  5. Supplying a sun hat in warm weather.
  6. Applying sun cream before bringing your child, when hot

We do have a uniform which is available to buy, though not compulsory. This consists of a red polo shirt (£8) and /or a red sweater (£10) with the Bramble Hedge logo on. A couple of these may help save your children’s own clothes!

 

CHILD PROTECTION

Pre-School is responsible for recording any injuries that occur during sessions in the Accident Book. If necessary, parents will be shown this and asked to sign. We are also recommended by Ofsted to record any injuries that a child already has when they arrive at Pre-School. Please do not be offended if we ask to make a note of any injuries and ask you to sign it if your child arrives at Pre-School with obvious injuries. This is intended to protect everyone, including the Play Leaders, your Children and even yourselves.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITES

Pre-School welcomes and encourages children from all groups and abilities between the ages of 2 and 4 years. We make every effort to accommodate and support children who may be in a minority.

 

BEHAVIOUR

It is our aim to be firm, fair and consistent in dealing with all the children. If unacceptable behaviour arises the Play Leader will tell the child ‘we do not do this’ or "say that’ in Pre-School and try to offer some distraction. Attention will be given to the child to help encourage integration and behaviour of an acceptable manner. If this is not adequate the Play Leader will discuss the problem with the parent.

Please note we NEVER use physical punishment.

POLICIES

Details of all Pre-School’s policies can be found in a ‘Policies File’ in the room. We encourage all Parents to read these policies to heighten awareness of Pre-School procedures.

FIRE DRILL

In order that fire regulations can be followed, for the children’s safety, please would parents make sure that they see their child’s name ticked on the register. If you arrive after the session has started please see the Play Leader and have your child’s name ticked on the register.

A copy of the Fire Drill will be kept on the notice board and around the playroom.

In the event of a fire the fire bell will sound. The children will be expected to stop playing and listen to instructions given by an adult. The Play Leader will decide which exit is to be used.

(Fire Drills will be practised using both fire doors). The Play Leader will usher the children out, taking the register with them and the assistant will check the room. The assembly point will be in the car park.

COMPLAINTS

If you have any concerns or complaints regarding the care of your child please speak to the Play Leader. If you feel this is not adequate, please speak to Sara Hardman on the Committee.

If you wish to make your complaint more formal, please put your complaint in writing and send it to the committee or contact the local PLA ("Pre-School Learning Alliance"). Details of the complaints procedure are on the notice board.

Qualifications

All Pre-School staff and assistants are registered with OFSTED and have had the appropriate police checks and hold the relevant qualifications. At least 50% of staff are qualified and also hold a first aid certificate. Our staffing ratio is 1: 4 and at every session there are at least two members of staff plus parent helpers. At most sessions there are 3 staff members plus helpers.

 

GOOD PRACTICE

  1. Your child’s welfare and development is paramount.
  2. Children will be respected as individuals, whatever their race, religion, culture, class, ability or gender.
  3. Parents are encouraged to take part in the Pre-School if they choose and to express any suggestions they feel will benefit their child or the Pre-School.

The aim of our Pre-School is to provide a safe, friendly and enjoyable atmosphere to all children, their families and staff. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

We also work hard to provide: -

  1. Activities to suit the ages and stages of all children attending.
  2. Noisy and quiet activities.
  3. Variety – so children have plenty of choice and can play at their own pace.
  4. Sand, paint, dough, water, sticking etc., to encourage and enhance your child’s development and personality.
  5. Books, reading, talking, singing, etc., to enrich your child’s language development and create habits of listening, concentrating and understanding of the world around them
  6. Construction equipment and jigsaws to encourage co-ordination, imagination and co-operation.
  7. Facilities for imaginative play and role-play.
  8. Physical activities to develop co-ordination, self-awareness and control.

Last but not least, we want everyone to have plenty of fun, make plenty of friends and be HAPPY!!