Betley ps welcome pack

Welcome Pack

Betley Village Hall
Main Road
Betley
Crewe
CW3 9BH

Joint Chairpersons: Jane Beeston 01270 821313
& Lorna Furber 01270 820735

Secretary: Sally Hinds 01270 829138

Leader: Gill Mellor 01270 820533
07847 578002

Betley Pre-School
Welcome Pack – January 2008

Dear Parent or Carer

Thank you for choosing Betley Pre-school, please take a few
minutes to read our welcome pack attached. If you have any
questions about any aspect please do not hesitate to ask our
staff or either of us.

This pack includes a condensed version of some of the
policies by which we run, a full set of all policies are available
at any time for you to read on request.

We look forward to working with you and your child over the
coming months.

Thank you,

Jane & Lorna

Jane Beeston & Lorna Furber
Joint Chair of the Committee of Betley Pre-school

Page 2

Betley Pre-School

INDEX

Section 1
Welcome to Betley Pre-School ....................................................................4
Our Aims .......................................................................................................4
Our Staff .......................................................................................................5
Typical Days Programme..............................................................................6
Outside Play..................................................................................................7
Opening Times and Costs ............................................................................7
Lunch Club....................................................................................................7
Admittance Policy .........................................................................................8
The Committee .............................................................................................8
Rota Parent/Carer Duties..............................................................................8
Starting Pre-School.......................................................................................9

Section 2
School Calendar .........................................................................................10
Illness Policies ............................................................................................10
Security Policy ............................................................................................12
Complaints Procedures...............................................................................12
Permission Slip ...........................................................................................14
Volunteer Help Form...................................................................................15
Betley Pre-School Registration Form..........................................................16

Page 3

Betley Pre-School

Section 1

Welcome to Betley Pre-School

Betley Pre-School has been open for over 25 years and we have looked after
many children from the local areas. We registered with Ofsted Early Years in
2002 and increased opening hours to 5 sessions a week and are now
registered for up to 24 children a session.

We are owned and run by a committee of parents of children attending the
group and we aim to work in partnership with parents to provide a safe,
stimulating environment to promote learning and development. We operate
under the guidance of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, a leading authority on
early years education in England that promotes high standards in pre-schools.
Our feedback plays a role in influencing their decision-making for future
development and requirements of childcare provision.

We achieved a quality Accreditation Award under the Pre-school Learning
Alliance scheme in Spring 2006 that we are proud of. In February 2007 we
were assessed by Ofsted who graded our setting as ’Good’ in all areas (see
www.ofsted.gov.uk).

Our Aims

We aim to enable every child to achieve his/her own potential with support
and encouragement. Parents are encouraged to work in partnership with us
and are always welcome at sessions and meetings.

As recommended by Ofsted we follow the Early Learning Goals, which cover
every area of development, with an emphasis on ‘learning through play’.

Activities related to communication, language, literacy, and numeracy are
usually ‘graded’ in order to cater for all levels of ability. Older children are also
encouraged to increase their attention span, by gradually increasing the
length of time they spend at an activity, therefore preparing them for the more
structured day in a school environment. When a child shows emergent writing
we will encourage them and build on what they do at home. We follow the
handwriting system recommended by Betley and Weston schools. The other
areas of development – creative, knowledge and understanding of the world;
personal, social and emotional and physical development are usually
undertaken as a group activity.

Page 4

Betley Pre-School

Our Staff

We benefit from all our staff being experienced carers of children – bringing a
wealth of practical experience as well as education and theory. We use a key
worker system where each child is assigned to a key worker and that staff
member will particularly help your child to settle in and follow their
development. The key workers are also there for parents as their point of
contact to discuss any matters relating to their child.

Details of staff members are displayed on our notice board and qualifications
are available on request.

The Leader and qualified staff hold paediatric first aid certificates. All staff are
registered as required with Ofsted and hold enhanced disclosure CRB
clearances as appropriate.

Page 5

Betley Pre-School

Typical Day Programme

TIME ACTIVITY

09:00 Risk Assessment & set up

09:20 Children arrival, free play & name on board
Together time on carpet
09:35
Registration, letter, number, colour, shape
09:55 Toilet & hand wash

10:00 Breakfast

10.15 Free play & adult led activities

11:05 Tidy up

11:15 Outside games or bikes (indoor if very wet)

11:40 Story & songs


12:00 Lunch

12:30 Free play

13:10 Collection for morning children

13:15 Adult led activities

13:50 Tidy up

14:00 Songs

14:10 Outside games or bikes (indoor if very wet)


14:40 Snack time

14:55 Story

15:10 Collection

Page 6

Betley Pre-School

Outside Play

We have a large, enclosed outdoor play area which we aim to use as much as
is practicable both for straightforward play/fresh air and project work. It has
shade for very sunny days and a small play area with swing and slide etc.

Opening Times and Costs

Day Start Finish
Monday 9:20 am 1:10 pm
Monday 11.40 am 3:10 pm
Monday 9.20 am 3:10 pm
Thursday 9:20 am 1:10 pm
Friday 9:20 am 1:10 pm
Friday 11.40 am 3:10 pm
Friday 9.20 am 3:10 pm

Please collect your child promptly to prevent any distress for your child.

A morning session (9:20am – 1:10pm) currently costs £8.50, and afternoon
session (11:40am – 3:10pm) currently costs £8.50. Full day session £14.00.
Funding is available for most 3 + year olds – where this is available fees
payable to the pre-school are for Lunch Club at a cost of £4.00.

In order to ensure we can pay our regular ongoing costs, fees are payable
even in the event a child cannot attend through sickness or holidays etc.
Discretion may be given by the committee for long-term illness. A notice
period of one month is required to aid planning of staffing on your child leaving
the pre-school or reducing the number of pre-school sessions.

Lunch Club

The lunch club operates as part of each session and is the time in addition to
the 2.5 hours funded by the Early Years Grant, for children 3 years and over.

You need to provide a simple packed lunch for your child. Please be aware
that we do not have fridge space for all sandwich boxes and we recommend
the use of ice packs in the warmer months. We must also stress that children
must not bring nuts or products containing nuts as part of the their lunch.

It is a requirement that water is available to children at anytime during the day
so you need to provide a bottle, containing water only and labelled with your
childs name, for each session.

In addition the pre-school provides healthy snacks for each child during each
session. For morning session this comprises of a “breakfast” around 9:45am
and for afternoon sessions this comprises of fruit and vegetables and a drink
of water or milk around 2:00pm. The cost for this is covered in session
charges.
Page 7

Betley Pre-School

Admittance Policy

We take children from Betley and the surrounding areas from the age of 2
years. We are equipped to deal with nappies and “potty training” and if
accidents do occur we have spare clothes available.

Places are offered dependant on availability and you are required to complete
a pre-registration form in order for your child to be added to the waiting list.
There are no minimum / maximum session booking but we do recommend
children attend at least two sessions per week to help them settle and gain the
most from our play and learning opportunities.

The Committee

The preschool is owned and run by a committee of parents and carers of
currently attending children. The committee co-ordinates the running of the
pre-school, fundraising and finances. All parents/carers are encouraged to join
the committee (even as a non-post holding member) to share the workload
and have an input into the running of the pre-school. The committee meets
once per half-term – please feel free to come along and join us.

The current committee officers are:

Joint Chair: Jane Beeston, tel 01270 821313
Lorna Furber, tel 01270 820735

Secretary Sally Hinds, tel 01270 829138

Treasurer Tera Bomberg, tel 01270 820975

Rota Parent/Carer Duties

We operate a voluntary list of parent/carers who would be willing and able to
come and help on a “cover” basis. This usually applies when staff are ill,
attending training, etc. If you are willing/able to help, please see any member
of staff.

Page 8

Betley Pre-School

Starting Pre-School

Each child starting Pre-school is offered the first session free, with the parent
to stay for the session to enable the child to settle. This applies to all new
starters.

What if my Child shows unwanted behaviour?

Betley preschool operates a no smacking policy which extends to parents and
their own children whilst in the playgroup setting. We promote positive
behaviour and discourage unwanted behaviour. If the parent is in attendance
we would look at the parent to deal with the unwanted behaviour, however in
their absence it will be dealt with by a member of staff. A full copy of our
behaviour policy is available on request at any time.

Why does my child not always bring home an activity?

We strongly believe that it is what the child brings home in their head which is
important not what they bring in their hand! It may be that the activity is
science or socially based and therefore there is nothing to bring home, but
please rest assured that your child has learned from the experience. All
activities that do come home will be all your child’s own work. We do not
believe in completing the activity for them. If your child does not want to
participate then they will not bring any thing home, and that is ok.

Page 9

Betley Pre-School

Section 2

This section comprises of forms and policies for you to complete and return or
keep for future reference. A full set of all our policies can be viewed on
request and are available at every session.

School Calendar

Autumn Term 2008
Opens: Thursday 4 September 2008
Closes: Friday 24 October Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 3 November
Closes: Thursday 18 December Christmas Holiday

Spring Term 2009
Opens: Monday 5 January 2009
Closes: Friday 13 February Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 23 February
Closes: Friday 3 April Easter Holiday

Summer Term 2009
Opens: Monday 20 April 2009
Closed: Monday 4 May Bank Holiday
Closes: Friday 22 May Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 1 June
Closes: Monday 20 July Summer Holiday

Autumn Term 2009
Opens: Monday 7 September 2009
Closes: Friday 23 October Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 2 November
Closes: Friday 18 December Christmas Holiday

Spring Term 2009
Opens: Monday 4 January 2010
Closes: Friday 12 February Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 22 February
Closes: Thursday 1 April Easter Holiday

Summer Term 2009
Opens: Monday 15 April 2010
Closed: Monday 3 May Bank Holiday
Closes: Friday 28 May Half Term Holiday
Reopens: Monday 7 June
Closes: Friday 23 July Summer Holiday

Page 10

Betley Pre-School

Sickness Procedure

This policy lists the minimum period we would expect for you to keep your
child at home with the following illnesses; (please keep to hand)

Illness Minimal Exclusion Period

Conjunctivitis 24 hours, longer if eyes still weeping
Diarrhoea 24 hours after last bout of diarrhoea or until 2 clear
nappies
Chickenpox 7 days from appearance of the rash
Gastro-enteritis until authorised by District Community Physician
Food poisoning until authorised by District Community Physician
Salmonellosis until authorised by District Community Physician
Dysentery until authorised by District Community Physician
Infective hepatitis 7 days from onset of jaundice
Measles 7 days from appearance of the rash
Meningococcal infection until recovered from the illness
Mumps until the swelling has subsided and in no case less
than 7 days from the onset of illness
Whooping cough 21 days form the onset of paroxysmal cough
Strep throat ditto
Impetigo until the skin is healed
Lice until appropriate treatment has been given and
cleared
Warts no exclusion – should be treated and covered
Ringworm of scalp until cured
Ringworm of body seldom necessary to exclude provided treatment is
being given
Scabies no need to be excluded once appropriate
treatment has been given

Page 11

Betley Pre-School

Security Policy

Registration

All children are encouraged to self register on the board and each child will be
individually signed in and out of each session by the supervisor in charge.

Parent / Carer with Authorisation

Only the parent/carer who has Guardianship or a designated person named
on a child’s personal details record will be authorised to collect a child at the
end of a session.

If a parent/carer wishes someone staff are unfamiliar with to collect a child,
then a written statement of authorisation should be produced in advance to
hold on record.

If someone unfamiliar arrives to collect a child they will automatically be
challenged. Pre-school cannot hand any child over without prior notification

Complaints Procedures

As a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance we aim to provide the
highest quality education and care for all children. We aim to offer a welcome
to each individual child and family and to provide a warm and caring
environment within which all children can learn and develop as they play.

We believe children and parent/guardian are entitled to expect courtesy and
prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. Our intention is to work in
partnership with parents/guardians and the community generally and we
welcome suggestions on how to improve our group at any time.

Making Concerns Known

A parent who is uneasy about any aspect of the groups’ provision should first
of all talk over any anxieties with the pre-school leader.

If this does not have a satisfactory outcome within a couple of weeks, or it the
problem reoccurs, the parent/carer should put their concerns or complaint in
writing and requests a meeting with the pre-school leader or the chair of the
playgroup committee. Both parent/guardian and leader should have a friend or
partner present if required and an agreed written record of the discussion
should be made.

Most complaints should be resolved informally at this stage.

If the matter is apparent, and the problem is not sorted out to the
parent/guardian satisfaction, the parent should again contact the Chairperson.
Page 12

Betley Pre-School

If parent and group cannot reach agreement, it may be helpful to invite an
external mediator, one who is acceptable to both parties, to listen to both
sides and offer advice. A mediator has no legal powers but can help to clarify
the situation. Staff or volunteers within the Pre-School Learning Alliance will
be able to act as a mediator if both parties wish it.

The mediator will help to define the problem, review the action taken so far
and suggest further ways in which it might be resolved.

The mediator will keep all discussion confidential. S/he will meet with the
group if requested and will keep an agreed written record of any meetings that
are held and of any advice s/he has given.

The Role of the Registering Authority

In some circumstances, it will be necessary to bring in Ofsted Complaints
Investigations Unit, who have a duty to ensure laid down requirements are
adhered to and whom the Pre-School Learning Alliance works in partnership
to encourage high standards. The registering authority (Ofsted) would be
involved if a child appeared to be at risk or where there seemed to be a
possible breach of registration requirements. In these cases both parent and
pre-school would be informed and the Pre-School Learning Alliance field
worker would work with Ofsted to ensure a proper investigation of the
complaint is followed by the appropriate action.

We believe that most complaints are made constructively and can be sorted
out at an early stage. We also believe that it is in the best interests of the pre-
school and parents/carers that complaints should be taken seriously and dealt
with fairly in a way that respects confidentiality.

The contact number for Ofsted’s Complaints Investigations is 0845 601 4772.
This is a national number, which transfers your call to the nearest regional
centre.

Page 13

Betley Pre-School

PERMISSION SLIP

In order to save you time completing several permission slips, we ask you to
complete the following to cover many such activities.

I give permission for my child (name) ___________________________ to
participate in the following:-

Food Tasting
Pre-arranged Visits
Activities with pets/animals
Photographs to be used within Pre-school for display only
Photographs can be used for advertising purposes

Page 14

Betley Pre-School

VOLUNTEER HELP FORM

Dear Parents and Carers,

On occasions our staff cannot attend at short notice due to illness of
themselves or a child and we have to maintain the correct ratio of staff to
children at all times or the Preschool cannot operate. We aim to get around
these short notice problems by having a standby list of parents or carers who
can fill in if required on certain days.

Below we have attached a slip for you to complete and we would be grateful if
you could indicate your availability so that the same 1 or 2 people are not
constantly called upon to provide your child with care.

If you do provide cover, it is agreed that your child will be free that day,
however, we cannot allow you to bring children/babies (under 2yrs) as this
would affect the staff:children ratios as it is 1:1 cover for children below 2
years of age.

Many thanks for any help you can provide.

…………………………………….………………………………………………

NAME:

TEL NO:

MOBILE NO:

I can be available on:

Monday 9.20am to 1.10pm
Monday 11.40 am to 3.10pm
Thursday 9.20am to 1.10pm
Friday 9.20am to 1.10pm
Friday 11.40am to 3.10pm

Page 15

Betley Pre-School

BETLEY PRE-SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM
(please bring on first day at Pre-School)

Please confirm that you have read the Welcome Pack (please tick)

Child's Name:

Known as: Date of Birth:

Religion: Ethnic Origin:

First/Home Language:
Details of any
disability:
Access requirements:
Names Of Parents/
Person(s) Holding
Parental
Responsibility:
Home Address:

Home Telephone No:
Mobile No:
Email Address:
Work Address &
Telephone No:

Additional emergency contact numbers:
Name: Tel:
Mobile:
Relationship To Child:
Name: Tel:
Mobile:
Name: Tel:
Mobile:
Persons Authorised To Pick Up The Child (please include someone local if possible in
case of emergency cover for you):
1
2
3
Emergency Password (For you to pass to a person not on the authorised list to quote to a staff
member if, in an emergency situation, you require them to pick up your child. A child will only be
released to anyone who gives the password or is on the authorised list unless prior written
consent is provided):
Password:

Page 16

Betley Pre-School

BETLEY PRE-SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM
(CONTINUED)

Medical Information

Important Medical Conditions:
(e.g. Allergies)

Injections Received:

Child's Doctors Name:

Address:

Tel. No:
I give my consent for my child to receive any medical treatment which is urgently
necessary except:

Signed (Parent Or Carer): Date:

Print Name:

Any special dietary
requirements:

Any other relevant
information:

I understand that any carer who suspects that a child in his/her care has been abused or
neglected has a duty to report this to the Social Services Department

Signed (Parent Or Carer): Date:

Page 17

Betley ps welcome pack

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Betley ps welcome pack

Similar to Betley ps welcome pack (20)

Betley ps welcome pack