Ashwater Playgroup Prospectus
Welcome to Ashwater Playgroup
Ashwater playgroup caters for children 0-5 years. We are registered by Ofsted and are a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA). Sessions are:
| 2½-5s | Under 2½s | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00am – 11:30am | 10:15am – 11:30am |
| Tuesday | 9:00am – 11:30am | 10:15am – 11:30am |
| Thursday | 1:00pm – 3:30pm | 2:15pm – 3:30pm |
Under 2½s may attend from the start of each session with their parents/carers but will only have access to the playroom until they can join the main session at snack time. This is to ensure that the 2½-5 year olds have an opportunity each session to focus on activities without disruption from the younger children.
All sessions are held in the School House.
Staff are employed to care and be responsible for children over 2½ only, so these children may be left. PLEASE NOTE: Under 2½s must have a parent/carer who will be responsible for him/her.
Children may not be left before session start times and must be collected promptly at the end of the session. If you are detained, please phone. Please inform the Playgroup Leader if another person is going to collect your child. Always make sure the Playgroup Leader is aware each session how and who to contact in case of an emergency.
Fees
| 0-1 year | 50p |
| 1-2½ years | £2.00 |
| 2½+ years | £3.50 |
We are registered to receive DFEE funding for 3 & 4 year olds.
If your child is receiving this funding and is unable to attend a session for any reason, you are required to complete a form to confirm the reason for absence. Forms are situated by the signing in book and when completed should be handed to Barbara.
All children pay whether they attend or not. Invoices are sent out at the beginning of each half term, although a 'pay as you go' scheme can be made available at the Committee's discretion.
Fees only cover basic running costs — wages, rent, insurance — so please pay promptly.
Fund-raising is vital to our financial viability and is continued throughout the year; proceeds usually go to buying new equipment.
Healthy snacks, milk and water are provided for the children at break-time. Tea and coffee are provided for parents/carers, to be drunk in a designated area for safety reasons.
T-Shirts (yellow) and Sweatshirts (green) are available for your child, please contact a committee officer regarding the cost. They are not compulsory but it does save your child's own clothes from paint/dough etc. and when we go on outings we can easily spot our children when they are all wearing the same coloured clothing.
Activities
Activities are designed to encourage children to develop language and basic skills through play and social interaction. We have a wide variety of toys, puzzles, games and equipment. Playgroup facilitates the transition into school and we work alongside the teachers' curriculum.
Outings and Visitors
Outings are used as learning experiences and/or fun.
Visitors such as Road Safety Officers, Policemen, Firemen etc. are invited to talk to the group.
Staff
Barbara Clark our Play Leader joined us in March 2004.
Barbara holds the NVQ3 in Early Years Care and Education and has over 12 years experience of working with children. Barbara lives locally and has two daughters of her own.
Before joining Ashwater Playgroup, Barbara worked at Shebbear College Kindergarten.
Rachel Martyn our Play Assistant joined us in April 2004.
Rachel lives in Ashwater and her own children attend the Primary School. Rachel gained experience caring for children as a registered child minder and is hoping to complete the NVQ3 in Child Care and Education.
Committee Officers
| Chairperson | Teresa Moon |
| Secretary | Karen Cole |
| Treasurer | Diane Westaway |
These Committee Officers can be contacted via playgroup@ashwaterparish.org.uk
The committee manages the Playgroup but the decisions concerning the group are made at the Playgroup meetings, which are open to all parents/carers, all of whom help to raise funds, support and run the Playgroup.
Meetings
Meetings are held regularly, with the AGM each January. These meetings are open to all parents/carers. Agendas will be displayed on the notice board. These meetings are your chance to express and discuss ideas on the running of the Playgroup; please try to attend as they are also a social occasion.
Policies
All our policies and procedures are stored in the Operational Plan (see below).
Should you ever wish to make a complaint you will find the procedure to follow in the Operation Plan.
Operational Plan
Ashwater Playgroup has an Operational Plan which contains information about how the playgroup is run. This can be found on the window ledge in the large classroom. There are two copies - one needs to be kept at playgroup but we would be delighted to lend the other copy - just ask Barbara first. It contains background information on the playgroup, information on staff (their qualifications, roles etc.), details of the equipment we have, the way our rooms are organised, the activities we offer, and all of our policies and procedures.
Discipline
Only positive methods of guidance are used such as:
- Redirection
- Anticipation and removal of potential problems
- Positive reinforcement and encouragement
Corporal punishment and any form of frightening punishment is NEVER used.
Health and Safety
Children are encouraged (with supervision) to take themselves to the toilet and to wash hands afterwards. They are also encouraged to wash hands after messy activities and before food or drink. Paper towels are provided.
Insurance
Playgroup is fully insured. A certificate is displayed on the notice board.
Fire Drills
These are held in conjunction with the main school. Usually, at least one fire drill per term is held. Fire exits are kept clear at all times. Fire alarms are checked weekly.
Accidents
An accident book is kept with the First Aid Kit, and the Playgroup Leader will record any accident or incident.
Medical Form
On joining, you will be asked to fill out a medical form/contract which will provide information on allergies, and special medication or ongoing illnesses that the Playgroup Leader will need to know. These forms are confidential.
Suncream
You will also be requested to sign a permission slip to allow staff to apply suncream to your child when necessary. You should supply your own suncream clearly labelled. On sunny days you should also send your child to playgroup with a sun hat.
Sickness
To protect small babies and pregnant mothers, you are asked not to attend if your child is suffering from a cough, cold, diarrhoea, sickness or other infectious illness. If your child has Chicken Pox or German Measles, you are also asked to inform the Playgroup Leader so that all parents attending can be notified. Please note that your child must have at least 24 hours free of sickness and diarrhoea before returning to Playgroup.
Duties
Each parent/carer of a child over 2½ will be required to undertake at least one duty per term. The person on duty should be prepared to stay the whole session - please check with Barbara to find out if you are required. If you are unable to stay please be kind enough to get the wheeled toys out and return 10 minutes early to pack them away.
Duty parent/carer will be responsible for:
- Getting out outside toys and checking that they are put away at the end of the session.
- Preparing snacks for children and drinks for adults.
- Wash/wipe up the cups and plates.
- Generally leave the kitchen area clean and tidy.
- Wash paint brushes and paint pot lids.
- Help tidy up generally e.g. sweep up sand etc.
You should be available to work/play with any child and encourage good social behaviour. (Anything major get Barbara or Rachael).Please check the theme for the week so that you are able to talk about it as you are playing.
On a dry day 2 people are required to get out the sheep hurdles for outdoor play.
Please note that all duty parents/carers are required to complete a DC2 form. (This is form required by OFSTED).
Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Monday November 06, 2006