Following Government guidelines and the advice of PSLA we provide here a detailed explanation of Pre School Learning and its importance.
Whilst each pre-school or nursery will have different aims, procedures and policies in place we hope this information will provide you with a general understanding of how Ingestre will work with you to provide care and education for your child. If your child is under three years old and you don’t yet feel they are ready to attend a setting without you, baby and toddler groups offer you a chance to introduce your child to a learning environment whilst you remain responsible for them.
Pre-schools and nurseries aim to:
Provide high quality care and education for children primarily below statutory school age.
Work in partnership with parents to help children to learn and develop.
Add to the life and well-being of the local community.
Offer children and their parents a service that promotes equality and values diversity.
We have policies and procedures covering every aspect of your child’s care, ranging from health and safety and special educational needs to food and drink and parental involvement to make sure that the service provided is a high quality one. These will be available for you to see.
Children's development and learning.
The provision for children's care, development and learning is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework; a play-based framework which is compulsory for all registered settings caring for children from birth to five years.
For detailed information on the Early Years Foundation Stage click HERE.
Play helps young children to learn and develop through doing and talking, which research has shown to be the means by which young children learn to think. Settings will use the framework to plan and provide a range of play activities which help children to make progress in each of the key areas of learning and development identified by the framework:
Personal, social and emotional development.
Communication, language and literacy.
Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy.
Knowledge and understanding of the world.
Physical development.
Creative development.
Your child’s time at the setting will be organised so that the children can choose from - and work at - a range of activities and, in doing so, build up their ability to select and work through a task to its completion. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in small and large group activities led by the adults which introduce them to new experiences and help them to gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others.
Outdoor activities contribute to children's health, their physical development and their knowledge of the world around them. The children have the opportunity - and are encouraged - to take part in outdoor, as well as those provided in the indoor playroom/s. The setting will cater for children's individual needs for rest and quiet activities during the day. In all activities information from the framework has been used to decide what equipment and activities to provide and to offer a range of opportunities for play and development.
A key person approach is likely to be in place in your child’s setting. This means that each member of staff has a group of children for whom she/he has special responsibilities. Your child's key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that the care and education provided is right for your child's particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at the setting, she/he will help your child to settle and throughout your child's time at the setting, she/he will help your child to benefit from the setting's activities. The setting’s policy will make sure that its provision meets the needs of each individual child, and takes account of any special needs a child may have.
Staff will assess how young children are learning and developing by observing them frequently. They will use information gained from observations, as well as from photographs or videos of your child to document their progress and where this may be leading them. As a parent you may be asked to contribute to assessment, sharing information about what your child likes to do at home and how you are supporting development.
Why is Ingestre Pre School Learning Club right for you.
Here are some question to consider and ask.
Are the children busy and happy, did you and your child receive a warm welcome?
Are there fun activities scheduled each day and is the emphasis on learning through play?
Are there enough staff for them to be generous with the care and attention they provide to your child? Will your child have a key person?
Is the environment safe and stimulating for the children?
How inclusive is the setting – will it recognise your child’s cultural needs and, if your child has additional needs, does the setting have access to a special educational needs co-ordinator?
What is the daily menu for food and snacks at the setting? Healthy eating and good nutrition is especially important for growing bodies. Many pre-schools will provide varied and nutritious menus to feed those young imaginations.
How will the setting keep you informed of your child’s progress and achievements? Are there meetings with parents and other communication, such as newsletters, to keep you updated?
When considering settings for your child, their latest Ofsted inspection report can provide a valuable insight into the way the setting is run. The reports can be viewed on the Ofsted website www.ofsted.gov.uk.
Word of mouth is a useful tool! Speak to other parents in the local area who send their children to pre-schools and ask for their advice.
Working together
As a parent/carer you are your child’s most important educator. Therefore, staff will see themselves as partners with you in providing care and education for your child. There are many ways in which you can take part in making the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for your child such as:
Exchanging knowledge about your child's needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff.
Helping during sessions at the setting.
Sharing your own special interests with the children.
Helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the play activities.
Being part of the management of the setting (if run by volunteers).
Taking part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided.
Joining in community activities in which the setting takes part.
Building friendships with other parents in the setting.
Further information and advice.
Each local authority has a Family Information Service, which provides information and advice to parents and carers on a range of children’s services in their local area. You can contact them through your local authority to request a list of local childcare providers, or alternatively you can search their directory online HERE.
Pre-school Learning Alliance local Development Workers are also on hand to provide you with practical, impartial advice to help you find the most suitable childcare for you and your child. Contact our Information Service team (details at end) for contact details.
The Directgov website provides further information on finding and choosing childcare and also contains details of the financial help that is available to help meet the costs of childcare. Click HERE for further details.
The Paying for Childcare website can provide further information on the range of financial support available to people with young children and how parents can access the support.
If you would like to find out more about the work of the Pre-school Learning Alliance or you wish to make any comments about our products or services, please do get in touch.
Information Services
Pre-school Learning Alliance
The Fitzpatrick Building
188 York Way
London N7 9AD
T: 020 7697 2500
F: 020 7697 8607
E. info at pre-school.org.uk
W. www.pre-school.org.uk
