Prospectus
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Prospectus |
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St Mary's Pre-school first came into existence as a playgroup in 1967, and is now a fully constituted pre-school and registered charity, accredited by the Pre-school Learning Alliance (only the third pre-school (in 1997) in Buckinghamshire to gain this award!). As such we have a role in the democratic decision making of the charity in that we have representatives who may vote at the local branch and/or the county meetings and at the Annual General Meeting of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Our aim is, the same as the Pre-school Learning Alliance's, to advance the education of the children below compulsory school age. St Mary's Pre-school has four objectives:
We provide a stimulating and consistently caring environment for children aged 2 - 5. We help to prepare children for school by encouraging them to achieve independence and self-confidence during their time at St Mary's. The emphasis at St Mary's is of learning through play: while our children are playing, they are learning too, through activities that match their capabilities and enthusiasm. As they grow older, more formal learning is introduced. Our families participate in the running of the pre-school by forming the management committee. This means that the pre-school is responsive to parents' needs. During their children's time at St Mary's, parents form supportive relationships which persist when their children start school and beyond.
The pre-school runs a session from 9am to 11.45am every weekday morning during term-time, and afternoon sessions from 1pm - 3.30pm, depending on the demand, for older children. Children may start when they are 2, provided there is a space for them and they are being potty trained. We do accept them in pull-ups and will encourage them to go to the toilet, so the potty training is carried on at pre-school. Each session takes up to 24 children (and a maximum of twelve 2¸ year olds) and is run by up to five staff, giving an adult to child ratio of 1:4 for the youngest children and 1:5 or 1:6 for the older ones. Fees are currently £8.50 per session and are reviewed each year. These are normally paid in advance at the start of every half term. Other arrangements can be made for people of differing means.
Government Schemes for 4 year olds and more recently 3 year olds St Mary's is registered and validated to take part in the Government's national scheme to provide free places for 4 year olds beginning the term after a child reaches the age of 4. Funding for your child will come directly to the pre-school from our Local Education Authority. At this state, you will need to provide proof of date of birth, your child's birth certificate or similar. The funding will cover up to 5 sessions of part time nursery education each week for the three terms following a child's fourth birthday. At present, Burford School offers morning only places each September to children whose fifth birthday falls during that academic year: 1 September to 31 August. It is not compulsory for children to attend school until the term following their fifth birthday, so it is possible for children to spend these terms at the Pre-school. However you should discuss this with the school concerned. St Mary's Pre-School is eligible for Nursery Education Funding for 3 & 4 year old pupils. A child is eligible for the funding from the term following their 3rd birthday. You will need to provide proof of date of birth at the time of application for funding. The funding can cover up to a maximum of 5 sessions per week of each term across all providers of your child's Nursery Education. It is a term of the funding that if you use two or more providers, you must inform each of them that you are using other providers. The Government Funding is paid for 11 weeks per term only and so does not cover the total number of weeks that the pre-school is open. A top-up fee is, therefore charged for the un-funded sessions that the child normally attends. If you choose to do so, your child may be withdrawn from the un-funded sessions at no extra cost.
OFSTED Inspections To qualify as a provider of nursery education, St Mary's has to meet the standards required by the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). We passed our transitional inspection carried out by OFSTED, the Office for Standards in Education in 2002.
Accreditation The Pre-school Learning Alliance has recently introduced a scheme of accreditation for pre-schools. This is a 'kite mark' which indicates high quality provision. In October 1997 we achieved Accredited Status, thereby giving parents the assurance of high standards of care and education for their children. It is very much an ongoing process as we must present a report to the Alliance every year and be re-assessed every 3 years. In November 2001 we were re-accredited with the Pre-school Learning Alliance. The report stated 'the interaction between all staff and the children is excellent with learning always being taken forward and children encourage to think for themselves and the committee run friendly pre-school offering quality care and education'.
Staff We are strongly committed to suitable training for our staff, and have a policy of recruiting only staff who are already trained in the care and development of young children, or who are willing to undertake such training. Our staff continue to develop their skills with us through further training at various levels. The majority of staff hold a First Aid Certificate, which is renewed every three years. All staff have children of their own. Everyone, adults and children alike, are encouraged to call our staff by their first names.
Curriculum and Activities We deliver a balanced curriculum, building on skills already learnt at home and developing new ones. We provide the Foundation Stage Curriculum as set down by the DfEE. Each child will be able to work toward the Early Learning Goals. We plan activities to encourage all round development in six areas;
all within a happy, secure and enjoyable atmosphere so that by the time a child reaches school age he or she will be confident, sociable and eager to continue the learning process. We often organise, extend or change activities to cater for the needs of a particular child or group of children, and collaborate with parents as the best way to assist their child's development.
Themes Activities are planned around a theme which leads to achievement of the early learning goals ö for example, 'Domestic and Wild Animals', 'The Five Senses', 'Festivals and Celebrations', 'All About Me'. A list of our themes is given to parents each half term. Plans and ideas for activities associated with each theme, which lead to DfEE's Early Learning Goals are displayed on the notice board as the theme occurs. Parents are welcome to pass on their own suggestions. Our Staff also keep detailed session plans, and these are displayed on the notice board on a weekly basis. In addition, our staff monitor and evaluate activities regularly in order to aid future planning and to cater for the individual or group needs of the children. Our interest table shows a display of items relevant to the theme. Children are encouraged to add to the interest table with items from home. We invite visitors relevant to the theme, e.g., Morris dancers, lollipop persons, Father Christmas, as well as a variety of pets and small animals. We have regular music sessions where the children sing, dance and play musical instruments, with a half-an-hour session organised by a specialist music teacher. The mobile library stops at St Mary's once a fortnight so that small groups of children can choose their own books for reading and story telling sessions back at pre-school.
Older Children During the morning small groups of children who will be starting at school the following academic year, are taken to a quieter study area for about fifteen minutes of pre-school work. This does much to consolidate and extend activities covered during a normal session. The focus during this time is on specific aspects of the Early Learning Goals. We encourage the growth of independent thought, self-motivation and enthusiasm for learning, which will stand them in good stead when the time comes to start school.
Afternoon Session Subject to demand we run a separate afternoon session or sessions specifically for our older children, structured to suit their growing maturity and abilities.
Key Worker System Our high adult to child ratio means that time can frequently be spent with children on a one-to one basis or in small groups. However, we also operate the key worker system at St Mary's. You and your child will be allocated a member of staff who will take a special interest in them and will follow their development, ensure that they realise their full potential and help to keep records of their progress. These records, although they are kept at pre-school while your child attends St Mary's, belong to you and will be available for you to look at or contribute to at any time. The information in them will be private to you and the members of staff at pre-school, who are aware of the importance of confidentiality. If you prefer your child not to be part of this system, just let us know. Any problems, however small, can be discussed in confidence with the child's key worker or indeed with any member of staff. The staff are available for a 'key-worker chat' and this can be arranged between parent and key-worker at a mutually convenient time should you wish to discuss your child's progress.
Timetable for the Morning Session This is flexible so that we can allow for spontaneous activity and to develop learning opportunities as they arise. All times are approximate.
9am onwards
9am - 9.45am
9.45am
9.45am
10.00am
11.20am
11.30am
11.45am As mentioned previously, small groups of older children are taken to a quieter study area for about fifteen minutes of pre-school work during the course of the morning, usually from around 10.45am.
Timetable for the Structured Afternoon Session
1pm
1.30pm
2.30pm
approx.
2.50pm
3pm
3.30pm
Premises St Mary's Church is situated on the corner of the Marlow Bottom road and Kingsley Drive, close to Burford School. There is plenty of space in the main hall for lots of activities. Access to the building is up a ramp or steps but please note that the building is not fully converted for wheelchair users although there are plans to do so in the near future. There are two toilets, with three washbasins, child toilet seats and potties. If necessary, a table in the main hall is laid with bowls of warm water, soap and paper towels for when the children prepare for their mid-morning snack, a cookery session, or for after messy play. Our kitchen is used by staff for washing up, cooking etc., but the children are not allowed into the kitchen at any time. At the rear of the building is a paved area, which we use during fine weather for sand and water play, painting and so on. The building is shared with other users ö as a church and a meeting place for Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Beavers.
Car Parking The convenient places for parking are along the church side of Kingsley Drive, and the school side of the Marlow Bottom road, if you wish to use the hard standing outside the hall itself, please check with us first, since priority is given to those who may be transporting equipment, and for people with limited mobility. The hall drive should be kept clear for access by emergency vehicles.
Funding St Mary's Pre-school is a registered charity. The fee charged is to cover all our known expenses ö staff wages and training, hall rent, consumables, telephone bill, insurance and membership of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Our fundraising activities (and any surplus) provide money to improve our facilities and renew equipment.
Management A committee of parents manages the pre-school. As soon as a child starts pre-school, the family joins our membership and becomes eligible to vote at General Meetings and to stand for election to the committee. The committee is responsible for all aspects of management of the pre-school, and is the employer of the pre-school staff. Our Annual General Meeting, held every September, provides a review of the year, publishes accounts and elects the committee for the next year. Committee meetings are every month to deliberate on policy, administration and finance, and to organise fund-raising and social events.
Complaints procedure At St Mary's we welcome suggestions as to how the pre-school may be improved. We have a written complaints procedure of which parents are advised. Parents are welcome to contact OFSTED if they have any concerns about their child's care at St Mary's.
Policies Written policy statements consolidate our commitment to good pre-school practice. The following have already been passed at a General Meeting:
A copy of our policies is in the parents' library in the porch. Copies of policies will be made available to parents when their child starts at pre-school. A copy of the Admissions Policy is included (see Appendix 1).
Parental Involvement Parents can be involved in the running of St Mary's in a number of ways. As mentioned above, parents compose the management committee. We also operate a parents' rota for our day-to-day running. We ask that once your child has settled at pre-school (normally after the first term) that each parent/grandparent comes in and help on one session every half term. If you are unable to do this then please speak to our Parents rota person and something else may be arranged. For example you could take the aprons and tea towels home to wash, support our fundraising events or help in cleaning and mending our equipment. This above means we are able to offer the children an even higher ratio of adults to children, with more opportunities for getting to know other adults, conversation and greater variety of play and craft activities. This also allows the staff to carry out observations on their key children. Helping at a session is good fun and a good opportunity to see how your child is developing at pre-school. You can bring other children with you so long as they are aged 2 years or more and there is space on the register. The rack of books and leaflets in the porch is a resource for parents and staff alike ö parents may borrow from here, by using the signing-out book provided.
Before your child starts at St Mary's Once your child's place has been confirmed, you and your child are welcome to visit St Mary's a number of times before your child is due to start, to familiarise yourselves with the building and the people there. We offer a home visit from a member of staff or a committee member. This allows you and your child to meet the pre-school personnel in the more relaxed atmosphere of your own home and enables you to ask any questions you may have about your child starting pre-school. This also means that there will already by some familiar faces on your first day.
The first day On your child's first day the supervisor in charge of the session will be there to greet you as you arrive. If possible arrive a few minutes after 9am to avoid the rush. We also rely on donations from parents, every half term, of tissues and kitchen towels for wiping noses and drying hands. You should expect to stay with your child for their first session to help settle them in, meet their key worker and complete an induction with her. After the first session you may stay as long as he or she needs to become settled at pre-school. Your child may bring his or her special 'cuddly' to pre-school but please use your discretion over other personal possessions your child may want to bring, despite the best efforts of our staff, they can get broken or lost. Please also note that our Behaviour Management Policy outlaws toy weapons of any kind.
Arrival and Departure Only children who are registered at St Mary's Pre-school for any particular day are the responsibility of our staff. Some of the activities laid out in the hall will be unsuitable for babies and toddlers. Please be vigilant of any other children and infants in your care at dropping off and picking up times, and always keep then with you at all times, bringing them into the hall when the doors are opened. Our staff can assist you with prams and buggies where necessary. For security reasons we ask parents on arrival to let us know who will be collecting their child. If it turns out during the morning that someone else will be picking up your child, please telephone and inform us. If your child is to be picked up by someone other than a parent or known carer, please inform them that they may be asked to provide identification. Please do not ask us to accept a child before 9am. This would break our terms of registration under the Children Act, and could invalidate our insurance. Similarly, please collect your child promptly at 11.45am.
Clothing and Sun Protection The activities at pre-school include sand and water play, painting, gluing, play dough, jumping, stretching, crawling, balancing etc. We do provide overalls and aprons for messy play, but your child's clothes should allow him or her to feel comfortable with all these activities. When the weather is suitable we use the outside play area. Any activities are placed at the shady end, and these are cleared away before 11.15am when the sun gets high. Even so, during the summer months you may like to provide a sun hat for these times, and apply a long-lasting sun block to your child's skin before coming to pre-school.
T-shirts and sweatshirts St Mary's pre-school sweatshirts and T-shirts are available to order, for both children and adults.
Links with other groups We maintain close links to Burford School. During the summer term, we take the children who will shortly be starting school on a visit there, where they become familiar with the school layout and their new teachers. We make sure that what we show the children is consistent with the Burford scheme ö for example, on how letters are formed in writing. Andrew Bowie, the Head Teacher, is usually invited to our AGM every other year to talk about the school and answer parents' questions. Every June we run a stall for the Rose Carnival, which is set up by the Playing Fields Committee. In return, they loan us equipment for our Christmas Bazaar! We also organise an event with Marlow Bottom (Village Hall) Pre-school, usually in the Summer which is normally a 'Teddy Bear's Picnic' on the playing fields.
Special Education Needs We welcome all children including those with special educational needs and we support their integration into the wider community. We have a nominated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator to support their learning and development. If your child has been diagnosed with Special Educational Needs please speak to a member of staff or see our full Special Educational Needs policy.
Calendar of events The following are organised in most years. In addition, we celebrate festival from many cultures and are visited by book club representatives, etc.
Further Information For more information and an application form, please contact:
Supervisor supervisor@stmaryspreschool.info When your child's name is added to our waiting list, your personal details (name, address, telephone number and email address) will be entered on a computer. This is only to assist the efficient operation of the pre-school. Your details will remain confidential and every care will be taken that your details are not passed onto other organisations. If you would prefer your details to be held manually, please inform the Waiting List Secretary when you make your application. We have now set up our own website: www.stmaryspreschool.info, which includes all our policies, general information, topics, events and photo's of children's work. Please do take a look. You are very welcome to visit St Mary's. Do please call us on 01628 478820 8.30am-12.30pm during term time to arrange a convenient time.
St
Mary's Pre-school T: 01628 478820 (8.30am - 12.30pm, term-time only) Registered Charity Number: 1024978 |
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