Glenurquhart Childcare Centre | Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre Handbook

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Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre

Pitkerrald Road

Drumnadrochit

IV63 6XA

Telephone nos. 01456 450 679 or 01456 459 225

www.glenurquhartchildcare.com

Glen.childcare@virgin.net

Scottish Registered Charity SCO24692

Parent Handbook 2009-2010

To Download a printable copy click HERE

To order a clour copy with images please contact us

The Centre is a community run group formed in 1996 providing a stimulating learning environment for children in the Glen Urquhart Area. In 2002 we moved to new premises in the Glen Urquhart High School Campus.

The Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre offers wrap around care for children aged 3-14 years. This includes Breakfast Club, government funded nursery sessions for 3-5 year olds, daycare, Out of School Club and Holiday Club.

Opening Times:

Breakfast Club/daycare 08.00 - 9.30

A.M. Sessions 09.30 - 12.00

Lunch Club 12.00 - 1.00

P.M. Sessions/daycare 13.00 - 15.30

GOOSC 15.00 - 18.00

Opening Times:

Holiday Club 0900 - 18.00

Terms:

Autumn August - December

Winter January - Easter

Spring Easter - Summer Holidays

Nursery Team

The A.M. Nursery includes: team

Amanda Graham – Manager

Marnie Mackenzie – Room Leader (Room 1) & Nursery supervisor

Katherine Barrow – Room Leader (Room 2)

Jane Lindner – Nursery co-ordinator

Fiona McDiarmid – Playworker

Claire Millar – Playworker

Sheila Darbyshire – Administrator

Emma Ross – Auxillary

The P.M. nursery team includes:

Karen Fraser - Supervisor

Melissa MacDonald-Haig - Playworker

Susan Simpson - Relief Playworker

We are also supported by a Highland Council Nursery Cluster Teacher.

Occasionally, we have secondary school and higher education students completing work experience and placements in the Nursery.

We are fostering strong links with the associated primary schools and participate in various whole school activities. We also have regular access to the library, community rooms, theatre, gym hall and playing fields that form part of the Glen Urquhart High School.

STAFF AT THE CENTRE ARE OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET. ALL ARE TRAINED OR ARE IN TRAINING AND HAVE ENHANCED POLICE DISCLOSURES

Welcome to Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre

Glen Urquhart Childcare Centre is delighted to welcome you and your child to our Nursery classes. We strive to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment in which children can feel happy and secure.

The Nursery aims are:

to have an open door policy providing a welcoming setting where parents and carers can feel involved and informed about their child’s development.
to create an atmosphere that encourages self confidence, self esteem, self expression and a sense of security for all our children.
to continue to work in partnership with parents, carers, outside agencies and other people within our community.
to encourage the children to find out how to care for themselves, others and their environment and to be aware of the importance of health and fitness.
to respect the equal rights of all children and promote tolerance by providing a broad range of experiences and resources.
to use the curriculum as prescribed by the Scottish Executive and meet the needs of each individual child through play.to meet the national care standards for children aged 3 to 16.
to encourage each child’s communication skills with both peers and adults.
to encourage children to choose and plan their own activities and take control of their own learning.
to support all staff with a planned and coherent programme of C.P.D.

Our aims will be achieved by allowing children to participate in a variety of play experiences.

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 APRIL 2011

NURSERY SESSIONS

TUESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2010 - FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2010

THURSDAY 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 AND FEBRUARY MID TERM BREAK 14TH & 15TH, AND IN SERVICE 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.

Some Essentials Your Child Will Need for Nursery

Gym shoes: It is essential that the nursery floor is kept clean and dry as the children enjoy floor play.

We also have access to the gym hall in the High School which requires us to wear gym shoes.

Wellington Boots: These are necessary for outside play all year! We recommend that a labelled pair be left in the nursery if possible.

Spare Clothes: Please provide a labelled bag containing a complete change of labelled, spare clothes to keep in the nursery in case of any accidents.

Jacket/Coat: We aim to go outside most days. It can be chilly outside whatever the season.

Nursery sweatshirts: Nursery sweatshirts are available to purchase from the Centre office. It is not compulsory to wear but can save your child’s good clothes.

Please ensure that all clothing is clearly labelled with your child's name.

Date 0f Entry

Your child may receive a funded place for Nursery in the term after his/her third birthday. If your child is three before the end of February, he/she may start after the Easter break. Any children with birthdays after 1st March can only be admitted in August. Please note that children who start after Easter will move into their second year of their pre school education in August. The above regulations comply with current government legislation. Children are seperated into two classes : the pre-school year in Room 1 and the three year olds in room 2.

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.

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.

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 to come and collect your child. Emergency contact details will be updated annually but should there be any changes, please inform a member of staff.

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. You can access this service by:

Dialing 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 a second attempt. If this happens, check the number and redial.
You will now hear the school’s 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 of not they will be closed.
If the message informs you that the High School is closed, the 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. Therefore if Glen Urquhart High School is closed, the Childcare Centre will also be closed.

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 nursery, we will contact you by telephone. Should there be no reply, we will telephone your emergency contact to come and collect your child.

It is important that the following information and advice regarding common infections and length of time a child is required to be absent from nursery as stipulated by NHS Highland Infection Control is adherred to (December 2006):

Vomiting/Diarrhoea:Must be clear for 48 hours before returning

Chicken Pox 5 days from onset of rash

Measels 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

Vaccinations

Is your child up to date with their vaccinations?

Children receiving out-of-home care, including nursery and playgroup, have more opportunities to come into contact with infections. It is especially important to ensure all children have had all the vaccinations due. It is never to late to have your child immunised. If your child has missed one, please contact your health visitor/GP for further advice.

Nursery Day

All of the children’s learning is through play and in this way they will learn to become:

responsible citizens

effective contributors

confident individuals

succesful learners

Active learning is an important part of ‘A Curriculum for Excellence’ and is a process we wish to nurture at the Centre.

Settling in

We recognise that every child has their own individual requirements for settling in. We do have a Settling in Policy but we feel that this is a matter for you and Nursery Staff to discuss and decide upon together to ensure the best start for your child. Parents are always welcome to stay with their child during Nursery until the child feels settled.

Daily Life

Every day the children become more familiar with nursery routines and it helps to develop confidence.

They learn to recognise their names by seeing their names on their pegs and cubby holes and by posting their names on arrival.

A weekly plan is displayed on the notice board in the foyer at the start of each week. This provides information about snack, visitors, visits and on going interests being developed for that week.

Snack

The children will be given a snack every day. We aim to develop a range of social skills associated with eating and to develop a positive healthy attitude towards food.

Examples of the range of snacks give include:

Water

Milk

Fruit Smoothies

Toast and butter/honey/marmite/cheese/jam

Pitta/Naan breads

Pasta, noodles & rice

Crackers and cheese

Various biscuits, cakes, rolls or scones made during the session

Breadsticks and dip

We always include fruit and vegetables such as:

Apples carrots

Bananas cucumber

Grapes mixed veg. soup

Pears strawberries

Kiwi fruit

Oranges

Melon

The children are encouraged to take turns to prepare much of the snack themselves under adult supervision. They also take turns to be responsible for pouring out milk/water for each child and collecting the plates and cups afterwards. Snack costs £1.00 per week. All children will be charged for snack regardless of attendance e.g. sick days.

Visitors/Visits

We believe that taking the children out on a variety of visits is a very important aspect of their development. A full risk assesment is carried out beforehand and there will also be a consent form for you to fill in for each visit. We have an annual outing in the summer term which we encourage all parents to participate in. The children benefit greatly when visitors from the local community come to visit the nursery e.g. dentist, police, etc.

Most theories about learning stress the importance of communicating with others and consequently, we will encourage your child to co-operate and work with other children and the various adults with whom the child comes in contact.

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.

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 and for individual profiles. Parents are required to fill out permission slips during the registration process. No photos will be displayed outwith the Centre unless a seperate permission slip is obtained.

Nursery Newsletters

A regular Nursery Newsletter will be sent home to keep you up to date with various activities and events at the Nursery. These can also be accessed on our website at www.glenurquhartchildcarecentre.com

Profiles/ Parent Interviews

Children are observed at play thoughout the year. Information gathered is used to compile the child’s profile. Parents are welcome to see these profiles at any time.

Please contact a member of staff to access them. There are two opportunities to meet formally with your child’s Play Worker in the nursery year – November and May. In addition, a written report will be issued to you in May and can be discussed at the May meeting. We also hold various open evenings on a variety of topics throughout the year.

Daily Activities

Throughout their time at Nursery, children will be given opportunities to:

· listern to stories, rhymes etc.

· take part in a range of art/craft activities

· sing and take part in a range of musical activities

· learn about their local environment and the wider world

· care for animals and plants

· take part in a range of physical activities

· work independently, as part of a small group and as part of a class

· enhance their imagination in role play experiences

Daily activities offered to the children are:

· sand and water play

· playdough

· painting

· junk modelling

· gluing

· jigsaws

· drawing

· board games

· construction toys e.g. Lego

· imaginative Play e.g. home corner,

· role play e.g. dressing up

· small world toys

· computer and various I.C.T. toys

· listening centre

· writing table

· story corner

· circle time

· outdoor activities

The majority of play activities undertaken in nursery do not result in and ‘end product’. The children get pleasure and experience from the process of ‘doing’. The lack of tangible product to take home does not imply the lack of work or learning on the child’s part. Staff welcome the opportunity to speak with Parents/Carers at the end of a session to explain how a child has spent his/her time.

Emotional, Personal and Social Development

I can be confident in new situations.

I can look after myself.

I can follow rules and instructions.

I can choose activities by myself.

I can tell others how I feel and what I like best.

I can co-operate, take turns and share.

I like to play with others.

I can work on a task until it is finished.

I am learning respect for other people and to care for my surroundings.

Physical Development and Movement

I can enjoy active play indoors and out.

I can explore different ways in which I can use my body.

I am developing finer movements with my fingers and hands.

I can co-operate with others in physical play and games.

I can move my body expressively.

I can run, jump, skip, balance, throw and catch.

I understand the purpose of safety.

I am aware of the importance of health and fitness.

Expressive and Aesthetic Development

I can express myself in painting, drawing and modelling.

I enjoy singing and music making.

I can act out situations using role play and puppets.

I can enjoy movement and dance.

Communications and Language

I can listen and respond appropriately.

I can take part in conversations.

I draw and make marks.

I am having fun with words through stories, songs and rhymes.

I can use language for a variety of purposes.

I look at books for information.

I can recognise the link between the spoken and written word.

I can take part in more extended conversations.

I can experiment with symbols, letters and words and writing.

I can listern to stories and re-tell them.

I am learning to recognise sounds and words.

Knowledge and Understanding

I am finding out about different materials by playing with them.

I am discovering information about people, places and technology around me.

I understand the language and routine of time sequences.

I am good at using my senses.

I can sort, match and measure.

I can recognise patterns, shapes and colours.

I can identify and use numbers 1 to 10 during play and counting games.

I like designing and making things.

I am finding out how to care for myself, animals and plants.

I can understand and use mathematical language appropriately

I like to work out solutions to problems.

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 Borad 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 which is on the Centre notice board.

Child Protection

From time to time, incidents can occur within the nursery setting which cause concern and could indicate that a pupil 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 which can lead to a joint Social Work/Police investigation.

All agencies involved in Child Protection are obliged to make the welfare of children their paramount considertion 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

Tele: 01463 703483

Fax: 01463 713237

Finally

We hope your child has a happy and rewarding time at Nursery. We view parents as partners in working to achieve the best for the children. We want to stress that parents are always welcome to speak to and liase with staff. The best times for this are before or after a session.

We look forward to meeting your child.