Prospectus 2005

Our Aims.

• To enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age in a parent-involving, community-based group.
• To provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment.
• To work within a framework which ensures equality of opportunity for all children and families.

We Offer Your Child.

• A specially tailored curriculum leading to approved learning outcomes.
• Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of adults to children.
• Fun and friendship with children and other adults.
• The support of a personal Keyworker.
• Opportunities for you and your family to be directly involved in the activities of the group and in your own child's progress.

Open Monday to Friday every morning 9:15 to 11:45 and selected afternoons 12:30 to 15:00 during term times. Our pre-school offers education and care for children below school age from the term in which they turn three.

Curriculum.

Within the group, all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. Our Keyworker system enables us to deliver a planned curriculum tailored to the needs of each individual child. Using developmentally appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum which leads to nationally approved learning outcomes and prepares children to progress with confidence into the National Curriculum at the age of five years.

Communication Language & Literacy.

In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, be able to handle them and be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

Personal, Social & Emotional Development.

Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.

Mathematical Development.

By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis of early mathematics. As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as addition and subtraction.

Knowledge & Understanding of the World.

A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.

Physical Development.

A range of equipment and opportunities allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.

Creative Development.

Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, facilitate open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role play, both individually and as part of a group.

Adult Resources.

We are proud of the high ratio of adults to children in our group, This ensures individual attention to the needs and development of each child.

SEE NOTICE BOARD FOR STAFF DETAILS

Research shows that children learn better when their parents are involved. Our rota system involves all parents in helping in the group on a regular basis. This helps to maintain the high ratio of adults to children in our pre-school, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child. It also gives parents the opportunity to take an active part in the group, to see what happens and to talk about it afterwards with their child. In addition, the rota system provides a valuable opportunity for all children to see their own parents / carers in a new role.

Keyworkers.

Our Keyworker system gives each member of staff particular responsibility for just a few children. The Keyworker is in a position to tailor the group's curriculum to the unique needs of each individual child. The Keyworker maintains links with the child's home setting, working with parents through shared record-keeping to ensure that all children are supported in reaching their full potential.

Record Keeping.

Because so many adults help in the group, we are able to implement an excellent record keeping system in which observations in the group and at home, are used as a basis for drawing up a curriculum relevant for each child.

Training.

Our membership of the Pre-School Learning Alliance ensures that we are constantly in touch with new thinking in the field of child education and care. We receive a monthly magazine offering practical advice and up-to-date information, and have access to a range of professionally produced publications. Parents may ask to see any of these. In addition, on-going training is available through Pre-school Learning Alliance courses, which welcome both staff and parents. Informal training is available through local meetings and conferences, and parents will always be informed about these.

Role of Parents.

The Pre-School Learning Alliance recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their young children. Our Pre-School aims to support parents. Parents are welcomed:

• to work in the group with the children.
• to assist with fund-raising.
• to take part in the management of the Pre-School.
• to represent the Pre-School at branch and county activities of the Pre-School Learning Alliance to attend open meetings of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.
• to attend training courses, workshops and conferences organised by the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

OUR POLICY STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

All of our policies are designed to offer the best possible experience for the children and families in the group. Our policies are reviewed on a regular basis and comments and suggestions from parents are always welcome.

Special Needs.

The number of adults present in the Pre-School enables us to provide individual attention for each child. Each child is able to progress at her / his own rate in all areas of development, and this is true for children with and without disabilities or learning difficulties. We are experienced in working in close liaison with professionals across the range of special needs. If you would like to discuss the group's ability to meet your own child's special needs, please talk to the Pre-School leader, your child's Keyworker, or the groups SENCO.
 

Portishead Playgroups Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)

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Management & Administration.

Decision Making.

The Pre-School is run by an elected committee, which ensures that major decision making is in the hands of the parents who use the group. The committee are responsible for reviewing both policy and practice, and for the employment and appraisal of members of staff. Our Annual General Meeting, at which the committee for the following year is elected, is held in October and parents will be informed in good time so they are able to attend.

Fees.

Fees are payable half-termly in advance. Fees continue to be payable if a child is absent without notice for a short time. In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult the committee about fee payment. Each child's attendance at the group is conditional upon continued payment of any necessary fees.

Child Protection Procedure.

It is our legal responsibility to inform all parents that part of our registration with Social Services involves compliance with the Child Protection Procedure. An explanatory booklet is available on request.

Starting Pre-School.

The first days ...

A child who is tense or unhappy will not be able to play or learn properly, so it is important for parents and Pre-School staff to work together to help the child to feel confident and secure in the group. This takes longer for some children than for others and parents should not feel worried if their child takes a while to settle.

Clothing.

In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send children dressed in clothes which are easily washable.

It is good for children to practise the skills which will make them independent. Simple clothing which they can handle themselves will enable them to go to the toilet when they want to and put on /  take off their outdoor clothes without being too dependent on other people's help.

We hope that your child's time in Pre-School will be very happy and productive one. If you have any queries or if we can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact the Staff / Management Committee at any time.