Where It Starts
Registration:
Priority of places are given to Forces Personnel and their families. Children may be registered at any age. They may begin in the Babies Rooms from 3 months, Nursery Rooms from approximately 18-30 months and Pre-School from approximately 2½ years, dependent on individual abilities, to school age. In Pre-School, priority is determined by the date of birth; places in all other areas are offered on a first come first served basis. All offers are determined by availability of places; these are offered as required, but parents are asked to use the same places each week, i.e. every Monday and Wednesday. A month’s notice is required to change days; additional days can be added if there are spaces. Day-care places are available to parents who work and every effort is made to accommodate your child. A contract will be given and you will be asked to detail the days and times you require, these will then stand either, for a term time place only or for a place throughout the year. You will be expected to pay for that place whether your child attends or not. The staff will deal with toilet accidents in such a way so as not to undermine the child. Children with special needs are welcome and parents together with the Centre Manager will discuss an acceptable way to help with their care and educational requirements. Children should attend sessions in suitable clothing to allow for messy and outdoor play etc. Also, for those that are able, please dress to ensure that they can go to the toilet without being unduly hindered. Protective aprons are provided for painting etc, but accidents can occur, so please bear this in mind. We provide paper towels for the children to dry their hands on. Mid morning snacks are given and they vary from assorted fruit, cheese and grapes, veg sticks and dips etc. Milk is provided; if your child does not drink milk, then water will be provided.
STARTING SCHOOL:
We liaise with the local infant school (Cherry Tree Academy) and work closely to ensure seamless transition for children starting school. During the summer term prior to your child’s transfer to mainstream schooling, he or she will have the opportunity to visit their new class and meet the teacher. We also invite the teachers from this and from other Schools to which children may be going to, to come and visit to familiarize with the children. This will happen if restrictions due to Covid-19, ease up in the coming year.
PROGRESS BOOKS
A confidential record of each child’s development will be maintained throughout their time here at the Centre in books called ‘My Learning Story.’ These are based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Staff in each respective class/room will monitor each child’s progress through interacting with them whilst participating in a variety of activities, observe their achievements, get to know developmental stages, thus confidently assessing the next stages necessary to promote their development. Through discussions with parents we learn information about children’s experiences and activities away from the Centre and add to the Learning Story, thus enabling a holistic picture of their children’s learning and development. We ask that parents inform us of any circumstances that may affect their child’s progress, i.e. parent away etc. Any problems that may arise concerning a child’s development will be dealt with in the strictest confidence. Parents/Carers are always welcome; however, due to the restrictions brought on by Covid- 19, we cannot allow them to walk in and around the Centre. Currently, we show Parents/Carers around the Centre from the outside. This restriction has also dictated that we put a hold on Parents/Carers’ week, which we hold at the end of each term, where they are invited in to discuss and peruse through their children’s record books and discuss their work, progress or anything pertinent to their development. Learning Stories enable Parents/Carers to see targets their children have met and what targets are being set for them to achieve next. With the Covid Restrictions, we will try and arrange quick discussions with key persons at least once a term. Daily handovers continue to take place as usual. As we strive to maximize children’s learning opportunities, we ensure their horizons and experiences are extended by offering play indoors and outdoors.