Aims and Objectives of Hillcrest Pre-school
We aim to provide our children with a range of stimulating learning activities and experiences in a safe, secure and happy environment.
We believe in equal opportunities and provide a well balanced and differentiated curriculum to offer the children the chance to develop in the following areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Physical; creative.
We aim to encourage valuable partnerships with parents/carers and offer an open door policy, welcoming you to visit any time.
We aim to provide continuity of care by working with parents, teachers and other childcare professionals.
We aim to assess the children regularly to allow them the chance to develop individually and to plan accordingly.
All staff aim to have a positive attitude and to be good role models. That aim to treat each child as an individual and will encourage and praise children.
Settling in new children
We aim to make your child feel happy, safe and secure within our group. To help us with this we encourage you to come for two visits before your child is due to start. During these visits you and your child have the chance to meet the staff and become familiar with the environment. We advise parents/carers to stay during these visits so that you can identify any other needs which your child may require and also see what the pre-school offers. Every child is different and some may take longer than others to settle but support will be given to make this process as stress free as possible.
After these initial visits, children settle much quicker once parents have left and can concentrate on the activities, try not to prolong the goodbye if your child finds the separation more difficult. Toys which are brought to school will be put in a special box at the start of the session, which will be given back at home time.
How young children learn
Children learn through play. Staff work hard to provide a detailed plan of the activities which pre-school provides, this variety of play helps your child to develop valuable skills. The curriculum provides activities both indoors and out, weather permitting.
The guidance for this planning comes from “Early Years Foundation Stage”.
The principles are grouped in to 4 Complementary themes:
§ A unique child
§ Positive Relationships
§ Enabling Environments
§ Learning and Development
Learning and development includes the 6 areas of learning, these are; Personal, Social and Emotional; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and understanding of the world; Physical Development; Creative Development.
You can view the plans for these learning goals, which are displayed on the notice board in the classroom. You can also ask the members of staff about the activities provided.
There is a fairly complex document about the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which you can access online.
Children’s records
Each child is allocated a key worker; this enables the staff to provide learning goals that are appropriate for their key children. They can inform you how your child is developing at pre-school. Each child’s record is kept confidential and you can request to see your child’s file, or talk to their key worker, at any time.
Snacks
Snack is provided for the children, although we welcome any voluntary contributions, for example £1 per week.
We provide Milk, fruit juice or water along with a choice of healthy snacks e.g. fruit or toast. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or allergies.
Policies and Procedures
There are a variety of policies and procedures in place, which you can access at pre-school. Please see the notice board for up to date information such as the illness policy. Pre-school also sends out newsletters to keep you informed.
Illness policy
When children are unwell they find it hard to cope being at pre-school and should be kept at home until they feel better. Infectious diseases spread quickly among children; therefore they should not attend if they have the following:
Conjunctivitis (red or discharge in eyes)
Sickness and diarrhoea (until they have been clear for 48hrs)
Impetigo (until scabs or blisters have disappeared)
Skin rashes
Chicken pox
Should a child become unwell whilst at pre-school every effort will be made to contact parents/carers. In the event of your child being involved in a minor accident we will administer first aid. If however, it is more serious, we will try to contact you, but if necessary, they will be taken to hospital accompanied by a member of staff.
Collecting children
Your child’s safety is paramount. We will only allow your child to leave pre-school with a parent or named adult. If your child needs to be collected by someone else you must inform us in advance. In the event of an emergency, please telephone the pre-school as soon as possible to inform us of your intentions. If your child is collected by someone else, your individual password must be given. Children cannot be collected by anyone who is under 18 years of age.
Our aim is to make your time with us as enjoyable as possible. We look forward to meeting and working alongside you and your child.