Playgroup Policies
Settling In at Playgroup
Settling into playgroup is a major step in both you and your child’s lives. Once your child has settled, he or she will enjoy and progress in all areas of the curriculum in this stimulating environment.
All parents will receive a questionnaire on their child’s needs and interests. It is very important that you take the time to complete all questions and discuss the sections with the staff. The information will enable the staff to become familiar with your child’s interests and needs and therefore help your child settle easily into our group, as well as assist in planning the curriculum around your child’s needs and interests.
We have introduced a staggered intake system advised by Nippa as non-threatening way to enable your child to become familiar with the adults, other children and the playgroup environment together with the rules and boundaries within the group.
We invite parents to stay with their children as long as is necessary. Staff will offer full support to all parents/carers throughout this important time.
Record Keeping
A key worker system operates which gives each member of staff particular responsibility for a number of children, however, staff observes all children. Because of our high adult/child ratio of 1:8 we are able to implement a record keeping system, in which observations of the children in the group and at home are used as a basis for planning a an effective curriculum to meet individual needs of each child. Parents/carers are encouraged to meet with staff at least once per term to discuss your child’s development and our pre-school curriculum. Parents/carers can also make an appointment to speak with staff with any problems or queries they may have. All records are confidential-see confidentiality Policy and Data protection policy.
Special Educational Needs
We welcome children with Special Educational Needs. The staff at the Little Castle Playgroup has attended training to ensure that all children are monitored closely and are skilled in identifying how children are progressing. However, if one-to –one attention is required on a full time basis, we may have to seek funding from external agencies to enable us to employ an extra member of staff. We are experienced in working in close liaison with professionals across the range of special needs. If you would like to discuss this further please talk to the playgroup leader (see our Special Needs Policy).
Outings
You will receive plenty of notice prior to our outings. Parents are encouraged to accompany their child and take part were possible in all outings. We require all parents to come on outings when we use bus hire and we need adult child ratio of 1 adult to two children for other outings A separate contribution is required for most trips. The group enjoys outings during the year by planning with the children what will meet their needs. Local outings include nature walks where the children and staff can explore the environment and become familiar with the world around them. NOTE; a parent must give written permission for children to take part in these activities (please refer to the groups policy on outings).
Healthy Break
Research shows that eating habits are formed at this stage and stay with children through out their life. Our playgroup has been awarded a Smart Snacks Award for healthy eating. We will offer your child a variety of healthy eating foods and fruits daily along with a drink of milk or water. We request that parents do not send food into the playgroup except in special circumstances.
We encourage children to practise self- help skills at break-time such as pouring their milk and buttering bread.
NOTE: A fee of £2 per day is charged to cover
the costs of provision of a healthy snack and cookery. Parents are
consulted on the break in relation to any special dietary requirements
or food allergies their child may have.
Sickness
Parents are asked not to send children into playgroup if they are feeling unwell. Please inform Staff of any infectious illness. If your child becomes unwell at playgroup the playgroup leader will contact the parent to collect the child.
Child Protection
In the Little Castle playgroup the welfare of the children is paramount. We liase with Sperrin Lake land Trust on all matters regarding child protection. Our policy is given to all new parents joining the group and we invite parents to read our child protection information on the parents’ notice board. The staff regularly update their training in child protection. There are clear policies and procedures in the group which staff follow strictly in any cases of concern. Please refer to our full Child Protection Policy for further information. We also support UN rights of the child.
Smoking
The playgroup operates a strict no smoking policy. Smoking is prohibited during working hours and prohibited at all times in the premises.
Complaints
Parents who are unhappy about any aspect of the care their child receives should follow the following procedure:
Minor grievances:
Parents should make an appointment with the playgroup leader to discuss the matter and what action they would like to see happen. If so desired, the parent can request that the chairperson of the committee sits in.
Major grievances:
Parents should make an appointment with the Chairperson and minimum
one other member of the committee to discuss the matter and what action
to take. If so desired, the parent can request a member of social
services to sit in.
Suggestions
We welcome any ideas you may have with regards to the running of the playgroup. To facilitate this we have installed a suggestions/ complaints box. This will be opened monthly at committee meetings. Please let us know how we can improve our service.
Additional Policies
Policies and procedures play an important part in the smooth running of the playgroup. They set out in detail how we will deal with situations and provide consistency in the running of the playgroup. We hope that the parents/guardians will take the time to read these as it will provide valuable insight to how the playgroup operates.
Further Policies are in our Playgroup Policy Book; please ask for a copy if you have not already received one.
List of Policies:
1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
2. CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
3. HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
4. MANAGING CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOUR POLICY
5. OBSERVATION/RECORD KEEPING AND ASSESSMENT POLICY
6. CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
7. PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS/CARERS POLICY
8. ADMISSIONS POLICY
9. SETTLING-IN POLICY
10. HEALTHY EATING POLICY
11. COMPLAINTS/COMMENTS POLICY
12. FUNDRAISING POLICY
13. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION POLICY
14. STAFF INDUCTION PROCEDURE
15. REDUNDANCY POLICY
16 STAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING POLICY
17. INFECTION CONTROL POLICY
18. PROCEDURES FOR OUTINGS
19. TOILETING POLICY
20. DATA PROTECTION POLICY
21. DISCIPLINE AND GRIEVANCE POLICY