Starting Pre-School
We appreciate that starting pre-school can be a daunting experience for both parent and child, and we want you and your child to feel happy and safe about being with us. To make sure that this is the case, the staff will work with you to decide on how to help your child to settle in. Your child's key person will play a key role in helping them settle in, and will be available to provide you information about how your child is doing, and offer you support and advice if needed. We have a policy on helping children to settle in: a copy is available from the office and on our policies page here. In general your child will be offered at least one session per week, these will then increase as your child progresses through pre-school (subject to availability).
Prior to starting with us you and your child will be invited into pre-school, you will be given a tour by one of the senior staff with an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any special needs your child may have. You will then be invited back to share in one of our sessions, where you will be able to stay with your child to play and share the new experience.
You will then be given an All About Me Booklet to complete with your
child, as well as an Application Form and Permission Form, which must
be completed, signed and returned to us in a sealed envelope prior to
your child’s first session. It is important that we have allergy
and medical information as well as a list of 3 people authorised to pick
up your child, at the end of a session, with a password.
What to wear
We ask that your child's clothing and other belongings are clearly marked
with their name. Please bring your child in play clothes as we often have
messy activities and can not always guarantee that the protective clothing
will cover them completely. (If your child is likely to have occasional
accidents, please send spare clothing.) We also encourage children to
gain the skills which help them to be independent and look after themselves,
so it is best to provide clothes and shoes which are easy for them to
manage. We have sweatshirts, T-shirts and bags with our setting's name
and logo on them. These are not compulsory but if you are interested in
purchasing them, please speak to a member of staff.
Illness
If your child is absent from pre-school due to sickness or infection please
contact us on the first morning of absence and we will let you know of
any regulations concerning when it’s safe for them to return to
the group.
Snack time
We operate a healthy eating policy and provide fruit and vegetables at
snack time, with milk or water to drink. Please let us know if your child
has an allergy or an intolerance to these. In line with Ofted requirements,
we ask that you provide a bottle of water for your child, to allow them
access to a drink at any time during the session.
Birthday treats
Parents/carers are asked not to bring sweets or cakes into pre-school
to celebrate a child’s birthday. Due to allergies suffered by some
children, it is deemed unfair to those whose diet prohibits them.
If you have any other questions about your child starting pre-school,
please do no hesitate to ask.