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Welcome to Kings Sutton Pre School Playgroup!

In 1968, Kings Sutton Playgroup was established by a few mums to provide an essential service to

the children of our village. Since then we have grown from strength to strength. Some of the

children who attended those early sessions are now parents themselves. Like you, they are looking

for a community based Playgroup where children can flourish, parents/carers can exchange ideas

and communities can grow.

The key to our success today is parents/carers taking an active role both in how Playgroup is run

and in the promotion of the education and well being of their children. Parents are children‟s most

important educators and we believe that when parents & playgroup staff work closely together this

best benefits the children.

We offer our own premises with excellent resources, a range of equipment, indoor and outdoor play

areas, supervised by our fully trained, experienced and dedicated staff.

We provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment where children can gain in self-confidence,

and learn to socialise through quality play. We offer individual care and attention for each child,

with a good ratio between staff and children, and a key worker system where a member of staff

will be particularly responsible in getting to know you and your child.

Our aim is to emphasise interactive and practical activities, to reinforce and challenge a child‟s

existing skills, rather than to concentrate on formal learning. We allow each child to develop their

own sense of independence and social skills, in preparation for their transition to Primary School.

We work within OFSTED regulations and the Government‟s Early Years Foundation Stage

Framework to ensure equality of opportunity for all the children and their families.

The purpose of this booklet is to outline our main aims and objectives and to give an overview of

some of our policies.

We have a copy of all our policies and procedures displayed in Playgroup, which can be viewed at any

time.

Parents are welcome to view our latest OFSTED inspection report – ‘Outstanding’ -

on www.OFSTED.co.uk – our reference is 220294, or enter our postcode OX17 3RT.

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HOW WE ARE RUN

We are a registered charity, and as such, must legally be run by an elected Committee in line with

the terms of our Constitution. This Committee functions as the Manager of Playgroup. All

parents/carers are encouraged to get involved in the Committee in whatever way they wish and we

would ask that everyone try to commit some time to it. The meetings are very informal; you do not

need to know anything about committees or finances to make a difference.

We have an Annual General Meeting at the beginning of each school year, where we elect the new

Committee, and the outgoing Committee report on the progress made in the previous year.

Committee meetings are usually held every two months and the minutes are displayed on the notice

board within Playgroup.

If you have any questions or concerns about the running of Playgroup, please contact any member of

the Committee in confidence. There is a tray on top of the children‟s drawers for letters and notes

to the Committee.

The main officers of the current Committee are:

Chair Liz Swift

Vice Chair Jo Hanlon

Treasurer Julie Cross

Secretary Rachel Lacey

Our registered Charity Number is 1016990 and our OFSTED registration number is 220294

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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN PLAYGROUP

We invite all parents/carers of children attending morning sessions to volunteer for one session 3

times a year. This will gives an opportunity to see how Playgroup is run, to see your child in action at

Playgroup and discuss their progress with your Keyworker. If parents are unable to volunteer you

are welcome to „volunteer‟ relatives. The children really enjoy showing off their families to their

friends. If you are unable to come in on the date you are offered please just let us know and we will

sort out a new date with you. We are sorry, but we are unable to allow younger siblings under 2

years to accompany you due to Health and Safety regulations. You are very welcome to visit us at

any time - not just as part of the Rota! If you wish to join us for any session, please just let Lisa,

the Supervisor, know.

We encourage close links between Playgroup and parents/carers. There are regular newsletters,

many social and fundraising events, as well as the more formal links through your child‟s key worker.

We offer an annual Parent‟s Information Evening in September to give us an opportunity to share

with you what we are about and the Government guidance that we work under. We invite the school

reception class teacher to attend to show how we work together to promote the best learning and

development of well being in the children.

We are always on the lookout for parents/carers with „special skills‟ such as gardening, wood

working, music, cooking, crafts, computers, a foreign language or anything else. Please come in and

share with us, don‟t be shy! We have had visits from musical couples, scone cooking grandmas, plane

flying daddies and even a military mum!

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OUR PLAYGROUP

We offer a balance between adult led activities and play and activities which the children choose

and initiate for themselves:

At every session we offer at least one adult led activity, chosen to promote a particular aspect of

learning or wellbeing, which every child is encouraged to try.

We also get together in small keyworker groups; this really helps to promote the relationship

between the children and their keyworker. We might play a board game, share a story or puzzle etc.

We also come together as a whole group at the end of each session. Our activities here vary too.

We might sing together, dance, play instruments or act out a story together. We also use this time

to share and celebrate together birthdays, special news and what we enjoyed that session.

The rest of each session has a „free flow‟ approach: the children are free to choose from all the

activities on offer and to move freely from inside the building to our gardens outside.

We also have outings around the village- a favourite is a trip to the shop to buy the ingredients for

our baking.

We enjoy having visitors too and parents and carers are encouraged to stay and play.

We also have special annual events including a winter Lantern Walk, children‟s disco‟s, Easter and

Christmas events and twice a year FUDGE SUNDAYS- an event for the chap in the family to come

and play for a Sunday session- FUDGE standing for For Uncles Dad‟s Granddads Etc

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STAFF

It is the policy of the Playgroup to have a good ratio between members of staff and the children;

for the over threes, this is one staff member for every eight children, although in practise we aim

to work on one to six. For children under three, we work on a ratio of one member of staff to four

children. This enables us to give the supervision appropriate to each age group, and to ensure

individual needs can be catered for. As such, it is our policy to enrol the under threes into our

afternoon sessions as standard.

All the senior staff hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3, or the equivalent. The Supervisor, Lisa is

currently studying for a Foundation Degree in Early Years. All staff are required to undertake

training. All take regular courses in First Aid, Child Protection, and seminars in curriculum planning

etc. as part of their ongoing Continuous Professional Development. The Committee encourages and

supports training for the staff.

STAFF TEAM

Supervisor Lisa Hawtin

Deputy Supervisor Sam Billsdon

Under 3s co-ordinator

Playgroup Assistants Becky Herbert, Tarnya Ambrose, Rosie MacDonald, Sarah Clayton

Playgroup Apprentice Bekky Gale

Special Needs co-ordinator Becky Herbert

Administrator Wendy Lines

Breakfast & Lunch Club Dawn Shirley

Assistant and Cleaner

Lisa Hawtin is qualified to Level 4 and has overall responsibility for managing the setting; working

closely with Committee, staff and parents and directly supervises the morning sessions.

Sam Billsdon is qualified to Level 3, and supervises our afternoon sessions and is responsible for our

care of two year olds. She has been approved by OFSTED to run Playgroup in Lisa‟s absence.

Becky Herbert is qualified to Level 4 and is responsible for ensuring and coordinating our care of

children with special educational needs.

Wendy Lines deals with Playgroup enrolment, session allocation, fee collection & voucher claims.

Dawn does miracles with the cleaning!

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STARTING AT PLAYGROUP

We understand that starting playgroup can be a daunting prospect. We welcome parent/carers to

bring their child for a visit, to see exactly what we do and how sessions are run, to meet the staff

and have a chance to talk about your child and any concerns that you may have. Our aim is to make

you and your child feel comfortable and secure in Playgroup. When a child first starts sessions

parents/carers are welcome to stay for as long as they wish if their child is unsettled; however,

please take the advice of the staff, they are extremely experienced and have excellent strategies

for helping upset or unsettled children.

If you prefer, you can ask for the Supervisor to visit you and your child at home, please call Lisa,

the Supervisor on 01295 816006 if you would like to arrange a visit.

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING TO SESSIONS

The children enjoy a wide variety of physical activities at Playgroup. It is always advisable that they

wear old clothes, as even when using aprons some activities can be messy! All in one suits and

aprons are provided but we cannot be responsible for stains and spills. To enable the children to

become involved in physical activity they need to be appropriately dressed and wear suitable

footwear so please ensure your child is in clothes that will enable them to participate safely in all

our activities and also to enable them to try to manage their clothing and toileting independently.

ADVERT! We sell lovely Playgroup polo shirts and sweatshirts!!

Please leave a change of named clothes at Playgroup on your child‟s peg. We do have a stock of spare

clothes, but it is nicer for the children to have familiar things.

On hot days, please ensure your child has a sun hat, and apply sun cream applied before arrival.

English weather being what it is, please act even if there is only the slightest chance of sunshine!

We also provide baseball caps for the children. During winter months Playgroup can be cold. Please

dress your child in warm layers. We do not let the weather prevent outdoor play – so please

remember hats and mittens. If you child wears wellies to come to Playgroup please ensure they have

a spare pair of shoes or slippers to change into. We ask that all children have a named pair of

wellies to keep at Playgroup.

We also ask that children do not bring toys, trikes or food into Playgroup, (other than during

settling in, for Circle time or for displays) This often leads to arguments and tears; nor can bikes,

ride-on toys or push chairs be left outside the building during a session.

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ADMISSIONS POLICY

The Playgroup does not discriminate against children on the grounds of sex, creed, race, disability

or family background when considering admissions. If sessions are over-subscribed, preference will

be given to children resident in the parish of Kings Sutton. Pre-school children attending Playgroup

will be given preference for increasing sessions, if space is limited. However parent/carers must

notify us by specified dates which sessions are required, as a waiting list will apply when numbers

are high.

We accept children from the age of two years, should there be places available in the afternoon

sessions. Otherwise, we usually take children from the age of 2 years & 6 months. All children must

attend a minimum of two sessions per week.

Our morning sessions are exclusively for our pre-school children i.e. those children moving to

Primary School in the following September. Our afternoon sessions are for the younger children,

who move to morning sessions in the September prior to their going into Reception.

ENROLMENT PRIORITY FOR NEW INTAKE

1. Pre-school children from Kings Sutton

2. All other Kings Sutton resident children

3. Children of Staff members

4. Pre-school children from outside Kings Sutton

5. Siblings of children already attending from outside Kings Sutton

6. Residents outside Kings Sutton.

In line with national regulations, foster and traveller children who are temporarily resident in the

village and wish to attend playgroup may enrol during term time and do not need to give us any

notice of termination.

We ask that all children are registered for a minimum of 2 sessions per week – this is to ensure

that the children have a chance to settle into the routines, and gain some continuity in their

familiarity, friendships and play. Once a child is registered on our waiting list, the parents/carers

are informed when a place becomes available, and are asked whether they wish to take it up.

The morning sessions run from 9am until 12 noon. The afternoon sessions run from 1pm until 3.30pm.

Doors will not be opened until the start times, due to insurance rules and to allow the staff to set

up. We would advise you arrive as close to opening time as you can, to prevent you having to wait

outside too long. We expect children to arrive within ten minutes for security reasons and so that

settling children are not upset by late arrivals.

As we are located in the grounds of the Primary School, there is often the temptation for waiting

Playgroup children to run off and play with the older children. For safety we and the School ask

that parents/carers keep their children with them, near the entrance of Playgroup.

We keep a record of who will usually drop off and collect your child. Any change should be written

into the book kept in Playgroup and signed by the parent/carer. We will not release any child to an

unauthorised person or under aged person, however familiar that person may be to staff, so please

do ensure that staff know of any arrangements you make.

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If you are going to be late collecting your child, please let the staff know as soon as possible –

telephone number of Playgroup is 01295 816006. If a child is not collected, staff will attempt to

contact someone on your emergency numbers list. Two members of staff will remain with the child

in the building until they are collected. If this is longer than 15 minutes after the end of the

session, you may be charged.

VOUCHER FUNDING

Children are eligible for vouchers from the term following their third birthday. Vouchers cover a

maximum of 15 hours per week, minimum 2 ½ hours per day, for the full academic year of 38 weeks.

When your child becomes eligible, you will automatically receive a form regarding their entitlement.

You will need to fill this in regardless of whether you wish to claim free sessions with us; you will

also need to provide details of any other setting that your child attends. In line with Government

requirements, we will need to take photocopies of the child‟s birth certificate & a utility bill proving

your address – these copies, as with all documents, will be kept in a secure, locked cabinet. Once you

have returned the form to us, you need do nothing more – the claim will be made for you. Any

sessions not covered by the voucher scheme will be billed at the usual sessional rate.

FEES

Fees are payable half termly, in advance, & cover your child‟s place at Playgroup – NOT for actual

sessions attended. They are worked out at a sessional rate, which is currently £10.86 per morning

session and £9 per afternoon session. Fees can be paid by cash or a cheque made payable to “Kings

Sutton Playgroup” and should be given directly to the Playgroup Administrator or left in the

Administrator‟s black post box in Playgroup. (Please note that should a cheque be returned unpaid

by your bank, you may be charged a fee to cover our expenses). You can also pay directly into our

Bank Account, please ask for details.

Two weeks written notice is required if the child is to be removed from Playgroup for whatever

reason. Fees will be payable up until the end of the term if notice is not received. Fees are not

charged if the child is absent with a notifiable disease, or they are hospitalised. For any other

absenteeism e.g. other illnesses, or holidays, fees must be paid. A list of notifiable diseases is

available in Playgroup.

Families with two or more fee-paying children attending Playgroup, including twins, will receive a

reduction in their fees.

PLEASE NOTE that if you receive Child Tax Credits you may be entitled to claim some or all of

your childcare costs back – to find out if you are eligible, call the HMRC helpline on 0845 300

3900, or look on the HMRC website. We also accept various childcare vouchers e.g. Bumblebee –

please ask for details

All your financial dealings with the Administrator and Treasurer of Playgroup remain confidential,

and you can regard any payment arrangements as entirely private. For this reason, please do not

discuss your fees with the staff, as they have no involvement in fees.

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NON-PAYMENT

We understand that from time-to-time some people may have difficulty in paying bills. We ask all

parents/carers in this position to contact either the administrator or treasurer, as soon as

possible, in complete confidence, before going into arrears. Arrangements can usually be made for

payment in installments, either weekly or monthly, as long as it is with prior agreement.

Should a parent/carer go into unauthorised arrears on fees, we will write a formal letter after 7

days of non-payment requesting either immediate payment in full or a meeting to discuss the

problem and proposed solution. If we have received neither of these within a further 7 days, the

child will be suspended from Playgroup until a satisfactory outcome has been achieved.

If no payment in part or full is received within 28 days of arrears starting, the child‟s place will be

automatically allocated to the next child on the waiting list.

The Playgroup would like to make it known that at all times we are willing to find an appropriate

solution to financial problems and always endeavor to solve them amicably. However, as a registered

charity, we cannot afford to allow a bad debt situation to become prolonged, and as such must have

a strict policy on non-payment.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITES AND INCLUSION POLICIES

The staff and Committee maintain an equal opportunities policy, and welcome children and their

parent/carers regardless of sex, age, class, status, special needs, cultural or religious background,

and ensure that access is provided for people with disabilities. Children will be encouraged to be

non-sexist in their play. It is important sexist and racist remarks are challenged and discussed;

children who have suffered from this or any type of abuse will be supported and comforted

immediately.

Our system of keyworkers observing and keeping records enables us to monitor children‟s needs

and progress on an individual basis. The aim of the Playgroup is to enable children and parent/carers

with any specific educational need to reach their full potential, and develop their self-esteem by

fully including them in all of Playgroup routines & curriculum.

The staff have training and experience in the provision for Special Educational needs. The staff will

liaise with parents/carers and, with parental permission, with outside agencies with regard to the

child‟s specific needs and progress. The number of sessions attended by a child with special needs

will be at the discretion of the parents/carers, staff and committee.

The staff member responsible for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination & Inclusion is Becky

Herbert.

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SNACKS

The children are offered a snack each session, which the child who is helper of the day helps to

prepare. Snack time is organized to be a social occasion, where children develop their independence

through making choices, serving food & drink, & feeding themselves.

Snacks are usually fresh fruit, wholemeal toast or a nutritious alternative. We keep details of

children‟s dietary needs and preferences, including any allergies, so all staff are aware and can take

these into account when planning snacks. No child is ever singled out because of their diet, and to

protect those with allergies, we discourage all children from sharing or swapping food. The children

are offered a choice of fresh water or milk with their snack. Water is available to drink at all

times. We try to avoid foods with artificial colours, sweeteners or flavourings. If you have any

specific food or allergy concerns with regard to your child, please bring them to the attention of

the staff.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The details of your child‟s time in Playgroup will be kept confidential between yourself and the

staff; you will always have access to your own child‟s files. Information that you give to staff or

your child‟s key worker will not be passed on to anyone else without permission. Parents/carers who

volunteer to help at session are also asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.

EXCEPTION: CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

We have a duty to inform Social Services of any significant concerns regarding the children in our

care. We are a Playgroup in which children are safe from abuse, and in which any suspicion of abuse

is promptly and appropriately responded to. A full copy of this policy is available in our Policy Folder

in Playgroup.

Concerns relating to a child‟s personal safety will be kept in a confidential file, and will only be

shared with the key workers, Supervisor and Chair of Committee. All staff and Committee members

are bound by our rules on confidentiality. Parents/carers who volunteer to help at a session are

asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR POLICY

We believe that everyone flourishes best in an environment in which it is consistent and clear which

behaviors are acceptable. We aim to create an environment where children can develop self-

discipline and self esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement. We try to show

children the difference between right and wrong, and to have respect for other people, their

beliefs and property. The Playgroup therefore has the following rules;

1 We walk when inside the playgroup building.

2 We are kind & gentle.

3 We care and share with each other.

4 We take care of our toys and belongings.

5 We sit quietly at group time.

6 We all help to tidy up.

7 We wear aprons for messy play.

8 We wash our hands after using the toilet.

9 We are careful on the large apparatus outside.

10 We obey the fire rules.

The staff ensures that they are applied consistently, and try to provide a positive model of

friendliness, care and courtesy at all times. All desirable behaviour such as kindness and willingness

to share is praised and endorsed.

Should a child behave in an unacceptable way, they will be taken aside, encouraged to sit quietly

with a member of staff, who will explain why the behaviour was inappropriate, and discuss with the

child how they might better resolve conflicts in the future. The child can then return to the group,

and will be discreetly monitored by staff.

Physical punishment will not be used, nor threatened. Techniques such as a „naughty chair‟ are not

used.

In some instances, we may need to speak to the parent/carer; this would be for behaviour such as

biting, hair pulling etc. Staff would then work with the parents/carers to develop a strategy to be

consistently used, both at home and in Playgroup,

Comfort will obviously be given to the victim of any above behaviour.

Adult handling of behaviour is consistent and developmentally appropriate, respecting individual

children‟s level of understanding and maturity.

Adults do not use any form of intervention e.g. holding, unless it is necessary to prevent personal

injury to the child, other children, adults or serious damage to property. Any incident is recorded

and the parent informed on the day.

Our named member of staff with responsibility for encouraging positive behaviour is Lisa Hawtin.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Playgroup has a full Health and Safety Policy. There is a folder in playgroup which contains our

comprehensive Health and Safety policies and procedures.

The staff are trained in First Aid, and are able to assess whether treatment is required and

appropriate, and if the emergency services should be called.

If a child is hurt or becomes ill; -

Any accident will be recorded in the Accident Book. Even if no treatment was required,

parents/carers will be informed as soon as possible and asked to sign the Accident Book to

acknowledge that they have been informed. (This does not imply agreement with the course of

action taken).

If a child needs to return home, the staff will use the emergency telephone numbers provided on

your enrolment form. It is therefore VITAL that you have given the staff up-to-date emergency

contact numbers so that they are able to contact you at any time; also that you provide all relevant

medical information on your child, especially allergies.

Our MEDICAL POLICY states that as we are sessional care (the children are not here all day) no

medication can or will be administered apart from inhalers, diabetes related care, Epipen or other

such emergency care.

TUMMY UPSET - If your child has been vomiting or suffered from diarrhoea, we ask that you keep

them home for 48 hours following the last incidence to prevent the spread of infection. We also

ask that if your child has been prescribed antibiotics you keep them at home for 48 hours from

beginning of treatment in case they have a reaction to the antibiotics.

TOILET ROUTINE –For reasons of hygiene, (we don‟t have anywhere suitable to wash them out) we

prefer not to have potties in Playgroup. We would ask that every effort is made to toilet train your

child before they begin attending Playgroup, as changing nappies can be very disruptive for

everybody but, of course, staff will work closely with parent/carers with toilet training if this

hasn‟t been possible & will frequently ask children whether they wish to use the toilet.

Staff will change nappies but we ask that parents provide nappies/wipes etc for their child.

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FORCED CLOSURE

On very rare occasions, we have to close Playgroup on Health and Safety grounds, for instance, if

the water is cut off, or during times of severe weather. We will only close if the Committee & staff

feel that it is absolutely necessary, and all steps will be taken to notify parents. We are also unable

to remain open if the Primary School closes for whatever reason, including those that do not

directly affect us e.g. school heating failure. In the event of severe weather, the school notifies

closure to the Northampton County Council website (www.northamptonshire.gov.uk) and to Banbury

Sound FM (who list local school closures on their website www.banburysound.co.uk) and we would

advise all parents to check this information from 7am onwards on affected days.

In the unlikely event of a severe flooding alert being given by an authorised body or similarly

serious alert being given before Playgroup opens, we will not open and will only return when told to

do so by an authorised body. Should the children be on the premises at the time of the alert, we will

follow our procedure for a fire alert and once again only return when told to do so by an authorized

body i.e. Fire Brigade, Police.Should there be repeated forced closures during the academic year, or

a prolonged period of closure due to e.g. severe weather, the committee will review the financial

standing of Playgroup and may agree to some refund of fees as a gesture of goodwill.

IF WE ARE ADVISED TO EVACUATE FROM THE ENTIRE SCHOOL SITE WE WILL ESCORT THE

CHILDREN TO THE MEMORIAL HALL.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

We aim to always provide the highest quality education and care for all the children.

Our intention is to work in partnership with parents/carers and the community generally and we

welcome suggestions on how to improve our group at any time.

Our complaints procedure is as follows:-

1. See Supervisor, Lisa Hawtin. If you have any worries or concerns regarding the Playgroup or

how it is run, please see the Supervisor as soon as possible.

2. Request a meeting with Supervisor and Chair. If the problem has not been resolved or you

have not received a satisfactory response, you should put your concerns in writing, and request a

meeting with the Supervisor and with the Chair of Committee.

All complaints are dealt with in the strictest confidence. You have the right to take any complaint

direct to:

OFSTED Early Years Telephone Number: 0300 1231231

www.ofsted.gov.uk/parents

North Regional Centre

Piccadilly Gate,

Store St,

Manchester M1 2WD revised January 2013