Parent Information

Starting pre-school is a big step for both parents and children. To ensure that each child gains the maximum benefit from our setting we encourage and welcome all parent involvement. Most parents choose to spend at least the first morning with us, so they can find out what goes on during a typical Pre-school session, and also to meet some of the helpers who will be caring for their child.

Some children will be more nervous of being left for the first time than others are. If your child cries or clings, our experience with many children over the years suggests that the best thing is usually for you to stay with your child for a few minutes then tell your child you are going and ask a helper to take over from you. We promise to contact you if your child continues to be upset. However, this is rare as they are usually playing happily by the time you reach home! Please tell us of any particular fears, toilet habits etc., that your child may have, as shared knowledge of these can help us to help your child settle more easily.

We would like children to be clean and dry before they start pre-school but realise that this is not always possible. Pre-school staff are able to give assistance and will work with all parents/carers to achieve this goal. 'accidents' do happen, and we have spare clothes at pre-school for emergencies.

KEYWORKER

We use a keyworker system in our pre-school. This involves a pre-school 'auntie' being assigned to you and your child/children and it is their responsibility to liaise with you over any problems you may have about your child's progress in pre-school or anything else that you or she deems necessary. Please do not hesitate to discuss any anxiety or problem with your special 'auntie'. Should they not be available please speak to Val or Sharon.

CLOTHING

We try to encourage children to attend to their own personal needs e.g. going to the toilet, so please dress children in easy to wear clothes. The children are also encouraged to explore and learn from different materials, such as water, paint, glue and clay. We provide overalls but it is a good idea to dress your child in old, easily washed clothes or a pre-school t-shirt/ sweatshirt. N.B: No trousers with difficult fastenings and belts, long dresses or dungarees. Soft-shoes or trainers are recommended for climbing, as accidents can happen with hard footwear. During the summer months sandals are acceptable but please do not put your child in flip-flops or mules. It is helpful if outdoor clothes are named (good preparation for school!). Sun hats are needed for outdoor play during summer months and coats for winter. Pre-school sweatshirts and t-shirts are available to buy.

ILLNESS

If your child is absent because of an infectious illness, please let us know so we can inform the other parents. This is especially important if German measles/measles, mumps or whooping cough are suspected. We have on display a poster giving details of how long children should be kept away from pre-school when suffering from the most common childhood illnesses. We would advise that children on antibiotics for any reason do not attend pre-school for 48hours from the first dose. Pre-school staff will only give medication in an emergency e.g. inhalers or epipen and only on completion of an administration of medication form. N.B. Children that have sickness and/or diarrhoea should be free of both for 48 hours before returning to pre-school. Infection spreads quickly in young children and the staff should also be considered.

FOOD AND DRINK

Free milk and healthy snacks are provided during the session. Please let us know if your child has any food allergies, as we would not wish to cause any distress. Some parents like to provide special biscuits or sweets on their child's birthday, but of course this is not compulsory! However, we do ask you to check with a member of staff before bringing anything into pre-school as we do have children with allergies.

REGULAR EVENTS

To enhance our curriculum we have regular events that are fun and enjoyed greatly by the children. These regular services, concerts and outings include:

• Harvest Festival
• Nativity
• Spring Service (Mothering Sunday)
• Mop End Trip
• Local School Visit
• Walk to the Duck pond and local shops
• Sports Day

DELIVERY & COLLECTION OF CHILDREN

If someone other than yourself or your child's regular carer brings them to pre-school, please ask them to make themselves known to a member of staff and inform them of your family password. This password will be given to you when your child starts at pre-school. Your child's safety is paramount. If someone other than yourself or your child's regular carer is collecting him/her, it is very important you tell us who that person is so there is no possibility of a stranger trying to collect your child. Please sign the 'Going Home' Book giving your authorisation. N.B. password information is highly confidential and must be respected.

SELF REGISTRATION

When entering pre-school your child will have a name tag for their coat and a laminated name which they need to bring into pre-school when called in. They post this laminated name card in our special posting box and these are then counted and cross referenced with the register. Not only does this give us the number of children on site but gives the child a sense of purpose and belonging

WEEKLY THEMES

We have a different theme for our pre-school activities each week. We aim to cover a wide variety of concepts during the course of each year to include the five senses, science and nature, seasons and other topical themes, as well as health and safety. We plan some of our art and constructive activities around the weekly themes, as well as singing, games and stories where possible. Your child is welcome to bring in something to show and it can be fun for you and your child to think of something original to contribute; though there is no compulsion to do so, it is a useful preparation for school.

SHOW AND TELL

Every morning we have a "Show and Tell" slot, where the children have the opportunity to show and talk about their item that is relevant to the theme of the week. These are kept in a special box and given back to the children at home time.

PARENT ROTA

It has been recognized over recent years that by working together parents and pre-school staff can influence a child's development and learning in a positive way. Holmer Green Methodist Pre-school is constantly looking at how we involve our parents and how, through their wealth of experience, parents can contribute to the children's educational development. Parents can be involved in the organization of Pre-school in various ways and the parent rota is an ideal way of bringing your life experiences into the group. We realize that time commitment is a key issue but all parental involvement is welcomed and much appreciated. Although we have a daily ratio of 1: 6 the children love having visitors in pre-school to read to them, play and talk with them or just help them with their craft work. The staff also appreciates an extra pair of hands with clearing away and circle games. We would never expect you to do anything you were not happy to do. For those parents who would like to help us on a regular basis it is pre-school policy to have all helpers police checked via the Criminal Records Bureau. This entails a form to be completed and processed at no cost to you. Forms and information concerning this procedure can be obtained from Val.