A few questions you may want answered about PRE-SCHOOL
1. Bringing and Collecting
Your child must be brought to and collected from Pre-school by yourself or a responsible adult over the age of sixteen. This is to ensure the safety of your child. Please make sure the Pre-school staff is aware if someone other than the usual person is collecting your child.
2. Settling your child into Pre-school
Most children settle very happily at Pre-school within a week or two. Just now and then a child will need his/her trusted adult with them for longer, especially if mother has just had a new baby, or the family has moved house, or he/she has been in hospital. Please do not worry. It is quite normal and your patience will be rewarded as you watch them become socially confident. Below are a few practical ideas that may help your child settle into Pre-school:
Occasionally walk past Pre-school - point out the children playing;
Feel free pop in, you are always welcome. We have an open door policy.
When you visit show your child where everything is e.g. the toilets, coat pegs,
talk about what you have seen when you get home;
Read the Pre-school booklet sent to you before your child started Pre-school.
When your child starts Pre-school stay with him/her for a short time and become involved in what he/she is doing.
On your child’s first day bring him/her a little later than the start of the session time. This avoids the crush in the entrance.
Always tell your child you are leaving and when you will return. Please try to be on time;
Please do not worry (easier said than done) we would never leave a child in distress all session. Go home - have a cuppa and we will telephone you to let you know everything is alright, or that perhaps you need to collect your child a little early. Or you can telephone Pre-school on 726788;
If a child has difficulty settling into Pre-school we will work out a gradual programme - building up the time your child spends in Pre-school until he/she is happy to stay the full session;
Help your child to learn our names;
Talk about what your child has been doing at Pre-school when you collect him/her;
Show an interest in paintings etc that your child may bring home, perhaps pinning up a chosen picture each week. Do not dismiss early experiments
With paint it’s all part of the learning process. The doing is important - not the finished result;
Read your child’s library book with him/her. Do not be surprised if the same book is chosen more than once.
3. Any Worries?
If you or your child has any worries or problems, please do not hesitate to mention it to Mrs.Gilmore or any of the staff. You are the expert regarding your child, we want to work with your to make your child’s time here as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.
4. Milk/Snack Time
Children are given a snack of milk and biscuit half way through the session. Occasionally a snack of fruit is given.
5. Clothing
We encourage children in their self-help skills and independence including going to the toilet. Please send your child in clothes, which encourage this. Do not be surprised (or cross) if your child has a little accident. Many children are so involved in what they are doing they may leave going to the toilet until the last minute. Children wear aprons when painting, gluing, using clay or playing in the water, but accidents can sometimes happen. Please send your child in clothes that he/she is not afraid to get dirty in.
If your child is still not trained for using the toilet, they will be allowed to wear a
nappy or trainer pants. Could you please bring a spare pair of pants or nappy in a
bag with their name on, and mention it to Mrs. Gilmore on arrival.
It would be most helpful if outdoor clothing, shoes and cardigans were marked with your child’s name. A change of footwear in very bad weather or if wellington boots have been worn is recommended.
6. Toys
Bring toys to Pre-school can be easily mislaid; however, to a child who is still feeling insecure a favourite toy can offer the comfort and familiarity they need. If any child wishes to bring an item of interest we will keep this safely until we can look at it together.
7. Absences
It would be helpful if you could let us know if your child is ill or unable to attend Pre-school for any reason. If your child is a fee-paying child and is away during term time half the daily fee is charged (instead of full).
8. Payment of Fees
The current fee per session is: £3.00
The registration fee is: £2.00
All fees are to be settled no later than the end of the week. It would be preferable if payments could be made on the first day of attendance in any future week. If no payment is received for a period of two weeks except in emergencies, the child will be taken off the register and replaced by another child from the Pre-school waiting list. If your child is ill and cannot attend Pre-school could you please notify us within two days from the first day of absence? A valid cheque guarantee card should accompany any payments made by cheque.
9. Dogs
We ask that no dogs be brought onto the premises, as some children are frightened of dogs.
10. Child Protection
We comply with the procedures approved by the Area Child Protection Committee. We intend to create in our Pre-school an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to.
If you have any complaints whatsoever please let the Pre-school Supervisor know. She will try to rectify any problem or compliant you may have. If not, the matter will be taken to the Pre-school Committee and if it cannot be resolved, the registering authority will be informed.
If there is anything else which you would like to know about please ask. That is what we are here for.