Glenurquhart Childcare Centre

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WELCOME TO GOOSC

2010 -2011 Handbook

To download a printable copy click HERE
To order a colour copy with images please contact us

What do we offer for you and your children?

Holidays and Out of School

Children enjoy being with other children and thrive in each others company. Parents are looking for a safe place where the needs of their children can be met. In response to this, we offer a range of services for children between the ages of 3-14.

At this age, children are more discerning and demand a more active and engaging environment. We offer a range of age appropriate activities with lots of choice, creating many opportunities for fun and social interaction. All of this takes place in a dedicated space that is safe, secure, purpose built, with its own outdoor play area.

Staff

Our staff have always been our biggest asset and

all are qualified or in training.

Manager – Amanda Graham
Supervisor – Karen Fraser
Playworker – Melissa Macdonald Haig
Breakfast Club Supervisor - Jane Lindner
Breakfast Club staff - Claire Millar
Breakfast Club staff (relief) - Susan Simpson

All our staff have enhanced disclosures. Many are fully qualified with others working towards relevant qualifications.

Breakfast/Holiday and Out of School Club

To create a safe, caring environment where children can play, meet and socialise
To provide stimulating and age related activities
To involve children and parents in the decision making process
To promote positive behavior management
To create opportunities for parents and carers to seek support and / or employment
To foster links with local schools and agencies
To promote links with the local community
To respect our world and care for its environment

Breakfast Club

Operating during term time, breakfast is served buffet-style, allowing children a healthy choice of foods and drink before being escorted to school by a qualified playworker.

This is a “drop-in” service and parents do not have to book their children in advance.

There is a range of appropriate indoor and outdoor activities to ease them gently into the day.

Open from 8am
Children from age 3 – 14 years welcome
Balnain Primary children escorted to Balnain Bus at 8.45am
School children escorted to Glen Urquhart Primary at 9.10am
Nursery children move into Nursery at 9.15am
Breakfast menu available including cereals , warm drinks, eggs, milk, beans, fresh orange juice, toast & fruit

After School Club:

Children aged between 3 - 14 years are welcome

Open from 3.00pm - 6.00pm (Term -time only).

We collect from Glen Urquhart Primary School at 3.00pm & 3.30pm.

We meet children on the 3.30pm bus from Balnain.

Wrap around care continued for children in Nursery after 3.30pm.

We also run a service that provides childcare for Primary One children during the first few weeks of term when attending school in the mornings only.

Quiet area available for homework.
Healthy snack is providede.g. tuna,cheese and cucumber wraps, beans on toast, apple juice, milk.
Fruit is available every day for the children to help themselves

We offer a wide selection of activities to cater for all ages and needs

Art & Craft
Snooker/Pool
Bikes, sit on vehicles
Ball games
Ball pond
School gym
Cooking/baking
Music
PS2, PC’s and Nintendo WII
Board games
Quiet areas
Books
Role Play
Walks
And lots more!

Holiday Club

Operating during school holidays, activities focus on giving children the opportunity to participate in a variety of exciting programmes. Examples include creative workshops, games, sports, ceramics, music, media and trips. To maximise choice, our normal activities are available at all times.

Open from 9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Open 1 week during Easter holidays, 1 week during October holidays & all summer holidays
Children aged 3 – 14 years welcome
Open on all school in-service days
Breakfast, mid-morning & afternoon healthy snacks available
Trips, visits and workshops arranged; some of these may involve a small charge but you will be informed of this beforehand.
Bring your own packed lunch

Please see that children are dressed appropriately for the weather. It may be an idea to bring spare clothes, in case of accidents or for particular outdoor activities.

Holiday schedule for 2010/2011

GLEN URQUHART CHILDCARE CENTRE CALENDER SESSIONS 2010/2011
2010
Centre open for sessions 8a.m. – 6p.m. Breakfast club & GOOSC	Holiday club 9a.m. – 6p.m.	Closed
Tuesday 17^th August - Friday 8^th October
	Monday 11^th October – Monday 25^th October
Tuesday 26^th October – Thursday 23^rd December		Friday 24^th December – Friday 7^th January
2011
Monday 10^th January - Friday 11^th February	Monday 14^th February - Friday 18^thFebruary
Monday 21st February - Friday 8^th April	Monday 11^th April - Thursday 21^st April	Friday 22^nd April (Good Friday) – (Easter Monday) 25 ^th April
Tuesday 26^th April - Friday 1st July		Monday 2nd May (May Day Holiday)
	Monday 4^th July - Monday 15^th August
Nursery sessions begin Tuesday 16^th August 2011

NB:

GOOD FRIDAY 22ND APRIL 2011

EASTER MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2011

MAY DAY 2ND MAY 2011

NURSERY SESSIONS/TERMS

TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2010 - FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2010

TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2010 - THURSDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2010

MONDAY 10TH JANUARY 2011 - FRIDAY 8TH APRIL 2011

IN SERVICE DAYS MONDAY 16TH AUGUST AND MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2010 ABD FEBRUARY MID TERM BREAK 14TH & 15TH, AND INSERVICE DAYS 16TH, 17TH, 18TH 2011

TUESDAY 26TH APRIL - FRIDAY 1ST JULY (CLOSED FOR MONDAY 2ND MAY 2011) BANK HOLIDAY

YOU ARE WELCOME TO BOOK IN FOR HOLIDAY CLUB WHEN THE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.

More Info

Planning takes into consideration the following factors:

The needs of the children booked in for the session/day
The numbers and age range of the children attending (this can vary hugely)
The leaving times of the children
Since true play is naturally spontaneous, activities vary considerably, according to the ages and needs of the children, and weather conditions.

Collection of children

All children must be signed in and out of each session. Please inform Centre staff if someone other than yourself will be collecting your child on a particular day. Please also inform the manager if there is someone who is not allowed to collect your child.

Parking

Please note that the area at the front of the Centre is for ‘drop off’ and ‘pick up’ only. The car parking spaces at the side of the Centre are reserved for staff and disabled access.

Emergency Closure

Should the Centre need to close earlier than normal, you will be contacted by telephone. If there is no reply, we will telephone your emergency contact and ask him/her to collect your child. Emergency contact details will be updated annually but should there be any changes, please inform a member of staff.

Photographs

During activities, parties, trips and fundraising events, photographs of the children may be taken. These will be used for display purposes in the Centre. Parents are required to complete permission slips during the registration process. No photos will be displayed out with the Centre unless a separate permission slip is obtained.

Guidelines for Adverse Weather

Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre follows Glen Urquhart High School guidance if there is a risk of closure due to adverse weather conditions. Schools now have a dial-in service.

Dial Highland Council’s access number – 0870 054 6999
Enter the council code 04 then the school’s own pin number 1060
You have two attempts to enter the pin number. If you make a mistake, you will be disconnected after the second attempt. If this happens, check the number and redial.
You will now hear the schools name. GLEN URQUHART HIGH SCHOOL. Ensure this is correct before going on.
You will now be taken to the main menu where you will be given four options. Press 1 to hear the High School’s message about the adverse weather e.g. whether or not they are closed.
If the message informs you that the High School is closed, the Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre will also be closed until the message informs you otherwise.

Moray Firth Radio and BBC Radio Highland also give regular updates on such closures.

Illness

If your child is ill, please do not bring him/her to the Centre. If you child becomes ill or has an accident while at the Centre, we will contact you by telephone. Should there be no reply, we will telephone your emergency contact and ask him/her to collect your child.

It is important that the following information and advice regarding infections and the length of time a child is required to be absent from nursery is adhered to. The Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre follows the guidelines as stipulated by NHS Highland Infection Control (December 2006).

Vomiting/Diarrhoea: must be clear for 48 hours before returning
Chicken Pox: 5 days from onset of rash
Measles: 5 days from onset of rash
Rubella: 5 days from onset of rash
Mumps: Until the swelling has subsided but not less than 10 days From the onset of symptoms
Slap Cheek: None unless fever is present
Impetigo: Until lesions are crusted or healed

Fundraising

There are many fundraising events happening throughout the nursery year. As the Centre is a charitable organisation, we rely heavily on fundraising for new equipment and other general running costs. If you would like to get involved in the fundraising, please contact the Manager or a Board Member. We are always looking for willing volunteers. Even if you feel unable to join the fundraising team, your support at events is very much appreciated.

Complaints Procedure

If you have a complaint, the first person to contact should be Audrey Mackintosh, Centre Manager. If you need to pursue the matter further, please contact Jane Drennan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors – 01456 450324.

If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily, please contact the Care Commission – details below.

Care Commission

The Care Commission is a national organisation set up under the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001. It undertakes the regulation of care services in Scotland and therefore, the provision of nursery classes. The Care Commission operates from regional offices and our local office is:

Care Commission

Castle House

Fairways Business Park

Inverness

IV2 6AA

Tel: 01463 227630

A set of care standards has been drawn up and a representative of the Commission will visit the Centre every year to review these on a three year cycle. The Care Commission has a system for Centre users and staff to express any concerns or complaints. Details of how to use this service are in a leaflet displayed on the Centre notice board.

Child Protection:

From time to time, incidents can occur within the setting that cause concern and could indicate that a child is suffering from some form of abuse.

As stipulated in the Highland Council Protection Committee Inter-agency Protection Guidelines, Education staff must report such incidents to Social Work Services. This may result in a joint Social Work/Police investigation.

All agencies involved in Child Protection are obliged to make the welfare of children their paramount consideration and this will be the priority for Education Services Staff.

More information about Child Protection procedures within Highland can be obtained from:

Child Protection Development Officer

Child Protection Committee

Kinmylies Building

Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NN

Tel: 01463 703483

Fax: 01463 713237

Contact us:

We can be contacted by the following methods:

Phone: 01456 450679 or 459225

e.mail: glen.childcare@virgin.net

Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre

Drumnadrochit

Inverness

IV63 6XT