Adjacent
to:
Gislingham CEVCP School
Broadfields Road
Gislingham, Eye
IP23 8HX
CONTACT
contact@gislinghamplaygroup.com
DEBBIE HUNT - PLAYGROUP LEADER 01379 788141
PHILIPPA READ – CHAIRPERSON 01379 788991
PLAYGROUP - 01379 788934 --- 07774
717311
REGISTERED CHARITY 1023734
Click
here to view the December newsletter
Click
here to view the Ofsted report
WELCOME TO GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP
Gislingham Playgroup was first opened in 1972 and was run by a group of parents
originally to provide support for families with young children in the village
community. The Playgroup has developed into a registered charity organisation
run by a voluntary committee of parents and carers of the children who attend.
The Playgroup is registered to provide sessional care for up to 24 children
each session, from the age of 2 years to school age, in-line with the school
terms.
Gislingham Playgroup aims
to:
• Provide a safe environment for learning through play in an imaginative
and satisfying way.
• Provide high quality care and education for children.
• Work in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop.
• Add to the life and well being of its local community.
• Offer children and their parents a service which promotes equality
and values diversity.
Gislingham Playgroup follows the
Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) setting the
standards for learning, development and care for children, and is regulated
and inspected by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).
The EYFS is underpinned by Every Child Matters which is the Government agenda
that focuses on bringing together services to support children and families.
It sets out five major outcomes for children:
• being healthy
• staying safe
• enjoying and achieving
• making a positive contribution
• economic well-being
Using the EYFS effectively enables
Gislingham Playgroup to support children in meeting the outcomes.
All children and parents/carers are welcomed and treated with respect regardless
of their ethnicity, culture or religion, home language, family background,
special educational needs, gender or ability.
OPENING TIMES
| Morning Session | Afternoon Session | Full Day | |
| Monday | 08.45 – 11.45 | 12.45 – 15.45 | 08.45 – 15.45 |
| Tuesday | 08.45 – 11.45 | 12.45 – 15.45 | 08.45 – 15.45 |
| Wednesday | 08.45 – 11.45 | 12.45 – 15.45 | 08.45 – 15.45 |
| Thursday | 08.45 – 11.45 | 12.45 – 15.45 | 08.45 – 15.45 |
| Friday | 08.45 – 11.45 | 12.45 – 15.45 | 08.45 – 15.45 |
N.B. A nutritious snack and drink will be provided at each morning and
afternoon session.
LUNCH CLUB will
take place from 11.45 - 12.45pm. The cost of attending lunch will be £3.00.
Parents/Carers
may provide a packed lunch or a school dinner for the additional cost of £2.10
can be ordered at the start of
the week (see Playleader for details). Payment for school dinners, which is
separate from fees, must be paid
at the time of ordering and cheques made out to Gislingham Primary School.
Children receive government funding from the term after their third birthday.
The government funding entitles each child to five free sessions per week, which can be utilised at any childcare facility.
As part of receiving government funding we are duty bound to pass on children's records to their school or next setting.
FEES
Morning Session £7.50 Afternoon Session £7.50 |
Please note
that a half term's notice is required should you wish to change the number
of sessions that your child attends.
We accept government-funded vouchers: childcare vouchers through Edenred and
Computershare Voucher Services.
PAYMENT METHOD
Payment will be accepted either by cash or cheque.
Invoices will be sent out two weeks before payment is due and fees will be
expected half termly in advance. We will confirm that we have received payment
with a receipt.
A copy of the admissions, fees and finance policy will be issued with your
first invoice.
THE MANAGEMENT OF GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP
A committee is formed and the
posts of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer are nominated and elected at
an Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM is open to the parents/carers of
all the children who attend Playgroup and it is their forum to look back over
the previous years activities and to shape the coming years.
The committee is responsible for:
• Managing Playgroup finances.
• Employing and managing the staff.
• Making sure that the Playgroup has and works to policies which help
it provide a high quality service.
• Making sure that the Playgroup works in partnership with the children's
parents/carers.
• Making sure the Playgroup adheres to the law.
• Making sure that the Playgroup meets the aims set out in the constitution.
ELECTED POSTS
Chairperson Philippa Read
Secretary Nicola Edwards
Treasurer Meg Clarke
Committee meetings are held monthly during term time and parents/carers meet
together to discuss management and staff issues, finances and fundraising,
and any other relevant matters.
Parents/carers are encouraged to join the committee and are always made welcome,
as Gislingham Playgroup is a committee-run organisation.
STAFF
Gislingham Playgroup employs experienced and dedicated staff, who provide
the highest possible quality care and education for the children in a welcoming,
safe, stimulating and happy environment.
Playgroup Leader
Debbie Hunt
CACHE Level 3
NVQ in Children's Care,
Learning and
Development.
Special Educational Needs
Coordinator (SENCO).
Named person for Health and Safety
City and Guilds Level 3 Award in Work with parents
Accredited SENCO
Roles and Responsibilities and CAF (Common Assessment Framework) Training
Michelle Woodward
CACHE Level 3
NVQ in Children's Care,
Learning and
Development.
Safeguarding Children
Coordinator.
Deputy SENCO
Roles and Responsibilities and CAF (Common Assessment Framework) Training
Gail Wells
Playgroup Assistant
CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Pre School Practice.
Relief staff are also employed to cover courses, illness or holidays.
Staff have current qualifications in First Aid for Child Carers, Safeguarding
Children and Food Hygiene.
The staff are committed to keeping
their skills and professional development up to date by attending regular
training courses.
All committee members and staff are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
As required by Ofsted, Gislingham Playgroup has written detailed policies
and procedures complying with the Statutory Framework of the Early Years Foundation
Stage. This ensures that your child is cared for in the highest possible manner
and that all families using our services know about our intentions and methods.
All policies and procedures are written in a clear and easy to understand
format. These can be found in the Operational Plan which is situated in the
kitchen during each session. Please feel free to look at these at any point
and if you have any questions please ask a member of staff.
THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
PROVIDED
Gislingham Playgroup follows the principles of the EYFS and puts into practice
the following four themes:
A Unique Child - every child is a competent learner from birth who can be
resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
Positive Relationships - children learn to be strong and independent from
a base of loving and secure relationships with parents/carers and/or a key
person.
Enabling Environments - the environment plays a key role in supporting and
extending children's development and learning.
Learning and Development - children develop and learn in different ways and
at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important
and inter-connected.
The six areas of Learning and Development are:
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
• Communication, Language and Literacy.
• Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy.
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
• Physical Development.
• Creative Development.
None of these areas of Learning
and Development can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally
important and depend on each other to support a rounded approach to child
development.
Staff follow the Practice Guidance for the EYFS, which sets out Development
Matters (key learning objectives) which describe the stages through which
children are likely to pass as they move on to achieve Early Learning Goals
(ELGs). For each area of Learning and Development the ELG states what is expected
each child will know, and be able to do, by the end of the reception year.
There can be a big difference between the development of children of similar
ages. At the same time, age can be a cue, when taken with all other factors,
to indicate that development may be atypical and that a child may need extra
support. Each child's progress is individually observed and monitored in order
to provide the appropriate activity or learning opportunity to help the child
move on to the next stage of development.
All areas of learning will be delivered by staff through planned, purposeful
play, with a balance of adult-led and child-chosen activities.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development Educational programme.
Children must be provided with experiences and support which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others; social skills; and a positive disposition to learn. Gislingham Playgroup ensures support for children's emotional well-being to help them to know themselves and what they can do.
Communication, Language
and Literacy Educational programme
A child's learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening,
being read to and beginning to read and write must be supported and extended.
Gislingham Playgroup provides opportunity and encouragement to use their skills
in a range of situations and for a range of purposes, and be supported in
developing the confidence and disposition to do so.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Educational programme
Children must be supported in developing their understanding of Problem Solving,
Reasoning and Numeracy in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore,
enjoy, learn, practise and talk about their developing understanding. Gislingham
Playgroup provides opportunities to practise and extend their skills in these
areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World Educational programme
Children must be supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. Gislingham Playgroup supports their learning through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; undertake practical ‘experiments’; and work with a range of materials.
Physical Development Educational
programme
The physical development of young children must be encouraged through the
provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve
their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Gislingham
Playgroup supports them in using all of their senses to learn about the world
around them and to make connections between new information and what they
already know. They must be supported in developing an understanding of the
importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to
food.
Creative Development Educational programme
Children's creativity must be extended by the provision of support for their
curiosity, exploration and play. Gislingham Playgroup provides opportunities
to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, for example, through
a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role-play activities,
mathematics, and design and technology.
THE LEARNING JOURNEY PROFILE
The Playgroup keeps a Learning Journey Profile for each child, this is a confidential
written record and by looking, listening and noting staff are able to:
• Get to know a child better and develop positive relationships with
children and their parents/carers.
• Plan appropriate play and learning experiences based on the children's
interests and needs, and identify any concerns about a child's development.
• Further develop their understanding of a child's development.
Staff observations of children help them to assess the progress which children
are making. Observations help staff to decide where children are in their
learning and development and to plan what to do next.
Parents are children's first and most enduring educators and know their children
better than anyone else, and therefore parental input into these records is
vital.
THE KEY PERSON
A Key Person has special responsibilities for working with a small number
of children, giving them the reassurance to feel safe and cared for and building
relationships with their parents/carers.
The Key Person will observe and keep confidential records of each child's
development during their time at the Playgroup.
The Key Person will share perceptions with parents/carers and colleagues identify
areas where extra support may be needed, recognise and celebrate strengths
and gain a better knowledge of what each child can achieve. This will enable
Gislingham Playgroup to improve its provision and develop the learning environment.
STARTING AT PLAYGROUP
We want your child to feel happy and safe at the Playgroup. To make sure that
this is the case the staff will work with you to decide on how to help your
child settle into Playgroup.
THE PLAYGROUP SESSIONS
Gislingham Playgroup believes that care and education are equally important
in the experience which we offer children. The routines and activities that
make up the playgroup's session are provided in ways that:
• Help each child to feel that she/he is a valued member of the playgroup.
• Ensure the safety of each child.
• Help children to gain from the social experience of being part of
a group.
• Provide children with opportunities to learn and help them to value
learning.
The Playgroup organises its sessions so that the children can choose from
and work at a range of activities.
The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult-led small and large group activities which introduce them to new experiences and help them gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others. Outdoor activities contribute to children's health, their physical development and their knowledge of their world around them. The children have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in outdoor child chosen and adult-led activities as well as those provided indoors.
SNACKS AND FOOD
The Playgroup makes snack time a social occasion using the rolling snack bar
method. During snack time we will promote independence by encouraging children
to pour their own drinks as well as clearing away. We promote healthy eating
and aim to provide the children with healthy and nutritious food. As part
of your child's registration you will be required to complete information
regarding special dietary requirements and allergies. This will then be used
to alert all staff.
STAY AND PLAY
Research shows that children learn better when their parents/carers are involved and we welcome those who wish to stay and play for a session. This helps maintain the high ratio of adults to children in our group, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child. It also gives parents/carers the opportunity to take an active part in the group to see what happens there and talk about it afterwards with their child. In addition, it provides a valuable opportunity for children to see their own parents/carers in a new role. Please see a member of staff if you would like to take part.
CLOTHING
Gislingham Playgroup sweatshirts and polo shirts are available to purchase.
Playgroup provides protective clothing for the children when they play with
messy activities.
We realise that children have accidents of either a personal nature or during
play (paint or water generally); these are treated with respect and privacy
of the child.
Gislingham Playgroup requests that each child brings a change of clothes in
a named bag to each session and that a named waterproof coat and wellies are
supplied for wet days.
Please also clearly name items such as lunch boxes, drink bottle, Playgroup
sweatshirts and polo shirts.
We actively encouraged children to be independent in personal needs; you can
help in this case by ensuring that their clothes are suitable for them to
manage.
The following garments are less suitable for children within the session:
Denim jeans (with stiff buttons)
Dungaree type trousers
Shirts with cuffs
Wellington boots (inside)
Jelly shoes (these are very dangerous, as they have no grip)
Ankle leather/trainer boots with laces.
All parents are required to provide their children with a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes which they can be encouraged to easily put on and take off by themselves.
FUNDRAISING
As a registered charity, there is a Fundraising Committee and Gislingham Playgroup
holds fundraising events to raise money to enhance resources and equipment
for the setting. These events vary from cake stalls to charity auctions and
the committee, staff and parents/carers work together to make sure every event
is as successful as possible.
SAFE STORAGE OF MEDICINES
BY STAFF
Parents/carers are respectfully requested, that any form of medicines or medications,
e.g. Calpol, inhalers, lotions/creams, nappy creams, teething gels, suntan
lotions etc are given to staff at the beginning of the session. This is to
ensure that they are stored safely by the staff (as required by law) at all
times. Items may be collected at the end of the session.
It is important that medicines or medications are NOT left in the children's
bags.
Many thanks for your co-operation.
NB Staff require parental/carer written consent before any form of medication
can be administered.
PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS/CARERS
All staff see themselves as co-workers with parents in providing care and
education for your child. There are many ways in which parent/carers take
part in making the Playgroup a welcoming and stimulating place for children
and parents/carers, such as:
• Exchanging knowledge about the child's needs, activities, interests
and progress with the staff.
• Stay and Play.
• Sharing their own special interests with the children.
• Helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials
used in the children's play activities.
• Being part of the management of Playgroup, by becoming a committee
member.
• Taking part in the events and informal discussions about the activities
provided by Playgroup.
• Joining in community activities in which Playgroup takes part.
• Building friendships with other parents/carers in the Playgroup.
Joining the rota is not the only means of taking part in the life of the Playgroup.
You can offer to take part in a session by sharing your own interests and
skills with the children. Parents/carers have visited Playgroup to introduce
the children to French; take basic aerobics exercises; and share their own
experiences. Please let the staff know if you have anything you would like
to share.
Thank you for enquiring about Gislingham Playgroup. We feel sure the children
in our care will flourish and build both in self-esteem and confidence and
will be motivated to learn through play in our fun, safe and caring environment.
Please feel free to contact us for further information at anytime.