Prospectus

Welcome and Aim

Welcome to Southwell Pre-school. The group was first established as a registered Pre-School in 1981, but as a Playgroup before this we have been operating successfully for over 30 years. While our aim remains the same, the policies have evolved by continual improvement and the requirement to fully comply with new rules, regulations and guidelines that have been introduced by Social Services, county and the Government.

A full list of policies is included.

Our Aim is to provide a safe, happy environment in which children can “learn through play” to prepare them for school and life.

General Information.

v We are a community, committee run preschool and a member of the ‘Preschool Learning Alliance’.

v We are a Registered Charity (No. 1109390)

v We are registered with Dorset County Social Services Department and are fully compliant with all of their regulations, including one annual inspection and random inspections.

v We are OFSTED inspected, having had our last inspection Feb.2004.

v We have strong established links with Southwell County Primary School.

v Unless notified otherwise, the term dates will coincide with those of Southwell Primary School.

Opening Hours

Monday-Friday 9.00a.m – 3.00 p.m.

Fees

£5.50 per session.

£1.50 per lunch club

Note; fees are still payable for the first week of any absence.

Committee

Chairperson Nikki Symes

Secretary Jan Ray

Treasurer Karen Griffiths

General members; Andrea Paulley Ellen Halcrow

Julie Frake Hilary McBryde

Natalie Damen Zoe Collins

Louise Marsen

Trustees

Bruce Bonwell

Staff

Preschool Leader Beverly Gould

Deputy Leader Sarah Cormack

Preschool Assistants Samantha Sharpe

Jenny Whyton

Jayne Cox

Katy Bailey

Vicky Louch (Bank and Volunteer)

Louise Marsen (Volunteer)

Staff Qualifications

Beverley Gould; Diploma in Preschool Practice,

Completed courses in the following; First Aid (CPR inclusive)

Curriculum Planning and Assessment

Practical Inclusion

Behaviour Management

S.E.N day

Playing and Learning through ICT

Pre-Maths Skills

Day care Preparation

First Aid For Adults

Take Ten For Play

Music and Movement

Basic Activities-Messy Play/ Physical Play

Learning To Listen

Child Protection Awareness

Introduction to Early years foundation stage

Letters and sounds Part 1

Sarah Cormack; NVQ3 Early Years

Completed courses in the following; Behaviour management

First Aid (CPR inclusive)

Basic Activities (messy/physical play)

Practical Inclusion part 1

ICAN talk

Birth to three matters

ICT for children

Child Protection

Working in a Group

Day Care Preparation

Curriculum Planning and Assessment

Basic Food Hygiene

Basic Activities

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Beginners Makaton Vocabulary Development.

Introduction to Early Year’s Foundation Stage

Letters and Sounds Part 1

Samantha Sharpe; NVQ2 early Years

Completed Courses in the following;

Paediatric First Aid

Child care course (6 weeks)

Independent Learning

Birth to three matters

Behaviour Management

Child Protection

Introduction to Early Years Foundation Stage

Jenny Whyton; NVQ3 Early Years

Completed courses in the following;

Child Protection Awareness

Practical Inclusion

Independent Learning

Paediatric First Aid

Behaviour Management

Intro to the Foundation stage

Birth to three matters

Play & Maths

Play & Learning through ICT

Level 5 Foundation Degree modules E123 & E124

Introduction to Early Year’s Foundation Stage

Letters and Sounds Part 1

Jayne Cox; NVQ3 Caring for young people

City and Guilds in Home Management and Family Care

NVQ 2 Teaching Assistant

Paediatric First Aid

Practical inclusion part 2

The Role of SENCO

Essential Inclusion Training (Hearing and Vision)

SENCO Training

Introduction to Early Years Foundation Stage

Letters and Sounds Part 1

Katy Bailey;NVQ2 & 3 Childcare

Diploma in Pre-School Practice

Basic Food Hygiene

Vicky Louch; Training NVQ 3 Childcare

Paediatric First Aid

An introduction to Safeguarding Children

Parents Activities and Involvement.

Parents are strongly encouraged to;

v Help at Pre-school if required. Please note, this is not compulsory but your help is very beneficial to the group and your understanding of your child’s development. You are welcome to bring younger brothers or sisters, free of charge, on your duty morning.

v Fully support fund raising events that not only maintain fees at reduced levels, but also can actually be fun to attend.

v Attend the obligatory AGM, and give due consideration to volunteering for a place on the committee. We always welcome new faces and ideas.

Remember: No committee = No Pre-school

v Name all of your child’s clothing.

v Supply trainer pants if your child is in the process of being potty trained. We do not have nappy changing facilities.

Educational Programmes and Activities.

The following is a programme of activities covered at the appropriate level during a child’s period of attendance. Parents are given an explanation of these topics at the time of the child’s initial introduction to the Preschool;

Personal and Social Development

Language and Literacy

Mathematics

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Physical Development

Creative Development

Parents are encouraged to attend at least one session with their child prior to officially starting Preschool.

Our staff are responsible for maintaining a basic record of each child’s progress. These records are classified as confidential, but can be made available for appropriate parent inspection on request.

Our Staff are happy to discuss individual, personal questions or problems-in confidence- at any time.

Premises and Equipment

The Church Hall is inspected annually by a Social Worker in accordance with the Child Act of 1989, and is then registered as being fit for the purpose.

A Fire Brigade representative undertakes regular Fire Safety Equipment inspections and a fire drill is implemented once a term.

We have recently had an inspection by the Weymouth and Portland Environmental health Department.

We are in receipt of a Silver award for food hygiene from Weymouth and Portland Council.

A comprehensive set of equipment is held and maintained in support of the educational activities.

Policies

The committee have generated policies that help protect Children, Parents and Staff.

Copies of these can be found on our notice board and on our website www.southwellpreschool.co.uk.

Policy statements exist for the following topics;

Admissions Policy

Behaviour management Policy

Child Protection Policy

Complaints Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Equal Opportunities Policy

Health and Safety Policies; Safety/ Fire/No Smoking/Health/Medicines/First Aid

Food and Drink Policy

Hygiene Policy

Collection of Children and Lost Children Policy

Outings and Events Policy

Parental Agreement

Operational Plan

Risk Assessment in the Workplace

Settling in Policy

Special Needs Policy

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Security Policy on Disclosure Information

The staff and Committee all hope that your child will be very happy at Southwell Preschool and that you, too, will enjoy being involved.