All your questions about Aldwincle Playgroup are answered below!

Where is Aldwincle Playgroup?

We are located in our own building within the grounds of Trinity Lower School. Although we are a separate organization, we have very close links with the school. We work closely with the Reception staff and join the class for activities at least once per half term.

How much is each session?

Each session costs £9.50. Fees are paid half term in advance. Please note that fees are payable at full rate for every session booked, irrespective of attendance (e.g absence through illness or holiday). You will receive a bill for fees during the first week of each half term.

Are National Education Grants vouchers available?

Yes, these are available for all children who are 3-4 years old and you can claim for these vouchers via Playgroup from the term after your child is 3 years old. From September 2010 each child will be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare each week.

What time does each session start and finish?

Morning sessions begin at 8:45a.m and finish at 11:45a.m.

Afternoon sessions will run immediately after at 11.50a.m and finish at 2:50p.m.

Afternoon sessions are currently only available to children in their pre school year (the whole school year before the child starts school) and  will include lunch, which you will need to provide. From September 2012, children will be able to stay for full days and/or take advantage of our afternoon sessions once they turn 3 years of age.  
Who works at the Playgroup and what are their qualifications?

Our members of staff are as follows:-

Alison Reynolds – Supervisor – Level 4 NVQ Childcare, Learning and Development

Diploma in Preschool Practice Level 3

NVQ Teaching Assistant Level 2

Claire Perrin – Deputy Supervisor – Getting Started Level 1
NVQ Level 2 CCLD
NVQ Level 3 CCLD 
Claire Simpson – Playgroup Assistant – Completed Common Induction Standards and working on the new Level 3 Diploma.
Lindsey Hunt – Playgroup Assistant – Working on Level 2 NVQ  
Shirley Reynolds – Volunteer/Helper
What is the adult:child ratio?
Our ratio is high at 1 adult: 5 children at all times.
How many children does the Playgroup take per session?
We have up to 16 children per morning session and 12 per afternoon session.
What are Aldwincle Playgroups aims and values
 Our Aims
Grow in self-confidence, experience success and thus develop a good self image.
Develop at their own rate through challenging, progressive play.
Learn to play co-operatively and share with others.
Communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings clearly to both adults and children.
Deepen and lengthen concentration through their natural spontaneous curiosity and interests.
Choose and explore a wide range of materials which allow them to express themselves appropriately and creatively.
Share in the wonder and excitement created by books, stories, songs, rhymes, music and the natural environment.
Appreciate and practise social skills and learning to care for others.
Enjoy the satisfaction of work well done and share this with their parents.
Our Values
Young children are entitled to their childhood.
All children are treated equally.
As well as the primary needs, the need for acceptance, love, approval, encouragement and security are crucial to the development of the young child and to the promotion of a good self-image.
Parents are valued as their children’s first educators and are viewed as active partners of the playgroup staff.
It is in the nature of the young child to be active. Purposeful and structured play is vital to all aspects of his/her development.
The child’s past experiences, individual attributes and abilities should be recognised, accepted and built upon.
Do I have a role within the Playgroup?
At Aldwincle Playgroup we feel that if staff work together with parents/carers, children are likely to learn more successfully. Every effort is made to ensure parents feel welcome, that their contribution to their children's education is recognised and valued and that they feel sufficiently confident to approach and trust the staff and that they in turn respect the position and role of each staff member.
Changes in family circumstances or domestic routine can make children feel insecure, thus affecting their behaviour or general personality. If parents wish they should inform staff of such changes, so that they may help the child and parent cope with any difficulties. All such information will be treated confidentially.
Parents are encouraged to become involved in Playgroup activities. You could help in any of the following ways:
Joining our ‘Parent Helper’ rota.
Joining the committee. You can have a say in the running of the Playgroup.
Helping with Fundraising.
Spending time with the children discussing or demonstrating some aspect of your talent or profession e.g baking, craft, fireman, farmer etc.
Please talk to a member of staff if you are interested in becoming more involved at Playgroup.
What sort of activities does the playgroup offer?
Crafts, role play, sand or water play, messy play, small world, construction, table top games and puzzles, writing/drawing, computer, cooking and outdoor play. Your child will be able to access their play and learning both indoors and out, so sensible clothing is important. Your child should come to playgroup in uniform or clothes which are not for best. A lot of our activities are messy ones and, even though we encourage the children to wear an apron, they often still get soiled!
What sort of things will my child learn?
The children’s play activities support areas of learning that form an essential basis for later study in school and beyond. While the emphasis is on learning through play, the curriculum follows the new Early Years Foundation Stage and the six areas of learning:-
Personal, Social and Emotional Development,
Communication, Language and Literacy,
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy,
Knowledge and Understanding of the World,
Physical Development,
Creative Development.
The Foundation Stage is the period of education for all children from the age of three until the end of the first year of school, known as the Reception Year.
During each session staff will do different observations on the children to determine what parts of the Foundation Stage they are learning.
If you have any questions regarding the Foundation Stage, please feel free to ask a member of staff.
I am worried about my child starting Playgroup?
Each child is different and will react differently to their start at Playgroup. It will be a good idea to bring your child in for a visit before they start. This will enable your child to become familiar with their new surroundings and the staff and the other children.
On your child’s first day, you can discuss any individual needs your child may have and about leaving them. If you would like to stay with your child for a few sessions that is fine.
Does Aldwincle Playgroup have a keyworker system?
Yes. Each child has their own keyworker. This is one of the members of staff who will become a special person in your childs life while at Playgroup. The keyworker will also collate observations about your child and use these to ensure your childs next step is included on the Playgroup planning.
Can my child share news and celebrations from home at Playgroup?
Yes. We have regular news times where children can share news. We also have some post-its in the Playgroup foyer on which you can write any achievements (e.g clubs, swimming, dancing) on and stick onto the wall. If your child finds a new interest or achieves something e.g. dressing themselves, riding a bike without stabilsers, potty training, please write these on a post-it and put on the wall too. These will go into your child’s Learning Journey file as a contribution from home.
When is my child too unwell for Playgroup?
Children who are unwell and/or suffering from an infectious illness should be kept at home, minor coughs and colds expected. If your child is suffering from something more serious than a cold, it is unfair on them and the other children in the setting to send them to playgroup. Please inform the Supervisor if your child is suffering from an infectious disease such as conjunctivitis, chicken pox, impetigo, scabies etc.
If your child is prescribed antibiotics, we would ask you to keep your child at home for 48hrs after the course has started.
If your child has been vomiting and/or has diarrhoea, we would ask you not to send your child to playgroup until they have been free from symptoms for 48hrs.
In the event that staff notice that a child has head lice, the parent/carer will be notified and treatment recommended.
What is the routine of each session?
Morning Session
8:45a.m – Welcome. A member of staff opens the door and welcomes the children and their parents/carers into playgroup. We encourage parents/carers to say 'Goodbye' to their child before leaving.
Once all children have arrived, we open the door for 'free play'. Children can then choose whether they would like to play inside or outdoors. Both indoor and outdoor play activities will cover the six areas of learning and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
10:00a.m – Rolling Snack starts and children can access their snack when they are ready and a place is available. They are then encouraged to place their name on the snack table and go to wash their hands. A selection of fresh fruit and dried fruits like sultanas etc are provided for snack during the morning and afternoon sessions. Milk and water are offered and the children will be encouraged to pour their own drink. Fresh drinking water is available to children throughout all sessions.
11:15a.m – We all tidy away the resources and, when both play areas are tidy, all children are encouraged to take part in group time (this may be as part of a large or small group).
11:20a.m – Group Time may include Circle Time, sharing news, a story or songs and rhymes. During this time one member of staff will prepare the tables for lunch.
11:40a.m – Children who are not staying for the afternoon session will then collect their coats and prepare for home time. The remaining children will take their places at the lunch table.
11:45a.m – Children will be called when their parent/carer has arrived to take them home.
Afternoon sessions
11:50a.m – When p.m session children have arrived, all children will be encouraged to wash their hands and sit down at a table with their lunch box. The children will then eat their lunch, supervised by staff and parent/carer volunteer. As each child finishes their lunch, they will be encouraged to wipe their hands and face and put their lunch box away.
12:15p.m – Children can then access 'free play' either inside or out. Table top games and writing activities will be available.
1:40p.m – Rolling snack will again be available. Fresh fruit and milk/water will be offered.
2:20p.m – Tidy up time.
2:30p.m – Group time – Story, song or news time as a.m.
2:45p.m – Prepare for home time as a.m.
2:50p.m – Home time.
How will I know about the topics/themes being used at Playgroup?
At the beginning of each Half Term you will receive a Theme Leaflet which will tell you what sort of activities, crafts, circle time topics we will be introducing to the children. It will also tell you if we would like your child to bring an item in relevant to the theme.
Each days activities are written on the whiteboard outside Playgroup so that all parents/carers will be aware of what has been offered to their child.
At the end of each Half Term you will receive a short report highlighting which parts of the theme/activities your child enjoyed.
You will also receive regular newsletters about Playgroup and any upcoming fundraising events.
If you would like to talk to a member of staff about any aspect of Playgroup life, please do not hesitate to do so!!
Is my child safe from adults who are not CRB checked?
Yes. Any adult who is in Playgroup who has not been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau, will not, at any time, be left alone with any child/ren.
All staff will be checked every 3yrs and it is the staff who will tend to any children needing toiletry help or changing nappies etc.
Will my child be kept safe and secure from unauthorised visitors?
We have security measures in place. The Playgroup gate will be locked once all children have arrived. There is a doorbell on the gate and if someone rings the doorbell, a member of staff will
check who it is and ask for identification if the person is unknown. The children will be unable to approach this gate as the play area is beyond another gate, further down the path.