The Playpen Preschool Prospectus
Curriculum
The Playpen offers children a sound start to their foundation stage of learning, with a small team of experienced staff. The curriculum covers the important Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Prime and specific areas of learning and development.
* Personal, Social & emotional development.
* Physical development.
* Communication and language.
* Literacy.
* Mathematics.
* Understanding the world.
* Expressive arts and design.
Young children are encouraged to share their learning and feelings with others, along with new skills and friendships. Their learning is sufficiently broad and differentiated to meet the needs of all children, including those with additional needs.
Policies.
Policies & procedures are available for viewing at The Playpen.
Hours.
The Playpen is open Monday to Friday mornings: 9.15am to 12.15pm.
Admission.
The Playpen accepts children between the ages of 2 years and 4 years. We will arrange a meeting between parents, children and Playpen staff at a convenient time during the term prior to admission, although you are welcome to call in at any other time.
Staff.
Our staff are trained to provide a high quality of educational experience for the children in our care.
Owner/Manager: – Mrs Diane Jackson – Cache Level 3.
Deputy Leader/Senco: – Mrs Caroline Nairne – BA Hons Level 6.
Preschool Assistant: – Miss Julia Siegler – Cache Level 3.
Preschool Assistant: – Mrs Miroslawa Witkowska-Adamczyk – Cache Level 2.
Bank Staff: – Mrs Sally Wade & Mrs Shelley Jerden.
Staff hold a variety of training certificates, including Safeguarding children, Special needs, behaviour & First aid. The staff are always available to discuss any matters that may concern you.
Parental Involvement.
Every child has a Learning Journal which is used to record their development and parental involvement and encouragement is welcomed with the intention of nurturing an effective partnership between home and The Playpen.
Illness.
If a child is ill, parents are asked to keep their child at home until they are free from illness for at least 48 hours. Similarly, the child should not attend if any member of their family has an infectious illness.
Safeguarding Children – The Children Act 1989.
Under the above act, it is the responsibility of the Playpen to contact the Social Services regarding any concerns relating to child protection issues.
Complaints & Compliments.
A notebook is available to enable you to record your compliments and complaints, however, with regard to the later, please feel that you can come in to discuss any problem so that an immediate solution can be affected.
Fire Procedure.
The property is fully equipped with fire appliances and the staff and children are trained in evacuation procedures.
Clothing & Footwear.
Children should be dressed appropriately to the season and all clothes, shoes and belongings are to be clearly labelled with the child’s name. The preschool can at times be a messy but fun place when eating, drinking, visiting the toilet, gluing and painting or interacting in general outside play, we therefore request that parents provide a change of clothes for each attendance but we have spare clothes to hand if required. Each child requires a pair of named wellington boots for use outside during the year.
Funding.
The Playpen is open for 38 weeks per year and each session is 3 hours in length. Funding does not cover optional extra such as lunch club.
Fees.
We will send you an invoice 4 weeks before the start of each half term. This invoice must be paid two weeks before the start of the half term.
Places are allocated on receipt of cleared funds.
All fees are non-returnable.
Photographs.
During some sessions, photographs may be taken of the children at work/play and may possibly be displayed on the walls and used in their journals and on the website. A signed authority is required from Parent/guardians on the admissions form.
Absence.
Please inform us promptly if a child is going to be absent from a session.
The Playpen budget is determined by the number of children enrolled. Expenses continue even when children are absent. Therefore no refund can be given for any absences; including family holidays taken during term time.
Parking.
Consideration should always be given to the schools neighbours and vehicles must NOT be parked on the yellow makings at any time.
Supervision.
Please supervise young children at all times whilst they are on the Schools property. Please do not allow children to run around whilst waiting to drop off or collect.
Collecting Children.
No one under the age of 16 years may collect a child from The Playpen. Any person collecting a child, apart from the parent or named child minder should show written evidence from the child’s parents. Their name will be entered in our daybook.
Please be advised that smoking and uses of mobile phones are not permitted at any time within North Crescent school grounds.