new starter guide
New Starter Guide
Welcome to our preschool, by choosing our setting you are giving your child the best start to develop educationally, physically, emotionally and socially, in nature’s classroom.
Before you join us, please take the time to read our most important policies:
The term before your child is due to start with us you will be contacted by email to put in your session requests. Once they have been confirmed you will be sent a start date email which will also ask you to complete our Fees and Funding Agreement online, this MUST be completed before the start date. You will also be asked to send us a photograph of your child’s face for their name card.
Your child’s first settling in session usually starts at 9:30, please come to the gate and a member of staff will greet you. Feel free to explore the setting with your child - it’s fine to stand back and let them go off on their own as our experienced staff will be on hand to support them. You will be introduced to your child’s keyworker who will discuss your child and their development with you.
Chris or Carol will then invite you into the office to complete paperwork and your child can continue to explore the setting with their key worker. Once paperwork is completed and the Enrolment fee paid we will check on your child and, if they are happy, the team will usually suggest you leave them in setting and return just before the end of the session.
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• a form of photo id for you
• your child’s birth certificate
• your, and if appropriate your partner’s, national insurance numbers (if you are claiming Nursery Education Funding)
• your confirmation letter, if you are in receipt of two-year funding for government supported families
• a water-filled bottle with your child’s name on
• a bag with a spare set of clothes
• nappy if needed
• any medication required
• your child will be invited to join for snack time so if they have any allergies please bring an appropriate snack with you for this first session
We encourage all children to attend our Stay & Play settling in sessions in the term before they are due to start with us. They are held every week in term time and are a great way to gently transition your child into the setting and start to settle. They are free to attend and no need to book, every Tuesday 9:15 - 10:30.
Clothing
Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for each session: we’re outdoors all day, every day in all weathers. If your child does not have the appropriate kit we maintain the right to refuse entry to keep your child safe and protected. Kit doesn’t need to be expensive, if you would like advice, please get in touch or see our Clothing and footwear policy.
If you are two-year-funded for government supported families, or your child will receive EYPP (click here for eligibility criteria) or if you are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance for your child, then preschool will provide them with a free waterproof coat and dungarees.
Your key worker
Every child, and their family, is assigned a key worker. This person will be your direct link to preschool, it is the person who ensures your child’s needs are being met, who helps them to settle in and should be your first port of call for any questions or concerns. All our staff are friendly and on hand to help but it is your key worker with whom a firm relationship of trust is formed for both your child and you.
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• be an important role model, inspiring and encouraging children
• support children in their personal, social and emotional development
• observe and teach the child to further their knowledge
• care for them in a professional and sensitive manner including providing intimate care
• monitor any concerns and support the family
• keep appropriate and good quality records
• support transitions
Your key worker will ask for regular information about your child from termly photos to the Tell Us About form, you will also be asked to complete a termly update form online. The better we know your child, the better we can support them and you.
All key workers are available to chat to in setting, you can catch most at the end of each session. Alternatively, you can email us at clophillpreschool@gmail.com or call Chris - 07936 006381 or Carol - 07763 785290.
We create a Learning Journey book for your child which holds information you have shared with us as well as annotated photographs, observations and examples of their work and creations. This book acts as a diary of their time at preschool and are handed out for parents to view every term. It is a great way to see what your child has been up to and makes a wonderful keepsake of their time with us and are handed over at graduation.
Making potions in nature.
Learning the anatomy of bees.
Developing fine motor skills.
How our sessions run
Our children learn through fun activities either led by them or often by a member of staff, we all learn better when we are enjoying what we are doing. We are all interested and want to learn more about the things that engage us and spark our interest. Our staff take the time to get to know the children, to understand them and what makes them tick. They don’t monopolise children’s play but join in if it’s appropriate and enhance it through careful teaching, encouragement and guidance.
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• preschool starts at 9am (if someone different will be picking your child up at the end of the day, please notify us at drop off)
• please encourage your child to find their name card, stick it on a spare box in the polytunnel and put in their belongings
• lunchboxes should go on the belongs box shelf and water bottles should be placed in the drinks crate
• your child is welcome to have breakfast or go to play
• group time is at 10am
• at 10:30 we stop for snack which we supply
• those doing a half day leave at 12, the rest have their lunch with the staff
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• sessions finish at 12 or 3 unless staying for lunch club which finishes at 1pm - please be on time for your child, it can be very upsetting to be left
• mid afternoon we stop for snack which we supply and often a story
• if you arrive early to pick up your child please do not call or wave to them from the patio as this can be upsetting for them and disruptive to the other children
• when you arrive to pick up your child please retrieve lunchboxes and water bottles
• please retrieve all your child’s belongings from their box
• make your way through the setting with your child to the exit gate where a staff member will let you out
• if you have arranged with staff for an early pick up please come to the gate and staff will meet you there and bring your child and their belongings to you
If your child is not going to be in session please contact us to tell us as soon as possible to avoid a phone call, we have a safeguarding responsibility to your child.
We hope you and your child enjoy your time with us at Clophill Preschool.
Mar 25