faq

What do I need to do in advance of my child starting playgroup?

1.Please complete the “All about me” booklet and bring this with you for your child’s first session.
2.Please ensure that we have contact details for you and an alternate carer in case of an emergency.
3.Your child does not need to be toilet-trained to start at Overton Playgroup, but please ensure that you have provided a spare nappy, wipes and a change of clothes for your child. We can help with toilet-training when you and your child are ready. If your child has a dirty nappy, we are happy to change it.

What time is the session?
The session starts at 9am and finishes at 12noon. Please ensure that you collect your child on time.

Which entrance do I use?
Please use the entrance next to the library.

What should my child wear to playgroup?
We allow the children free flow access to the outdoors at all times of year and in all except extreme weather conditions. Please send your child in appropriate clothing (named). We often get very messy and wet (outside water play), so it is best that you send your child in clothes that you don’t mind getting messy.
We do have a range of Overton Pre-School Playgroup t-shirts and fleeces in various colours which might make life a bit easier. Please speak to a member of staff if you’d like to purchase any items.

What do we need to bring?
1.A named bag with a change of clothing.
2.A coat/fleece/wellies/sunhat if appropriate (all items to be named please).
3.A spare nappy and wipes if your child is wearing nappies.
4.Please feel free to bring some fruit/vegetables for our cafe, to add to our contributions from the Co-op.
5.An item for the ‘show box’ (see later notes – What is the show box?)

Do I need to bring lunch or a snack?
Please feel free to bring some fruit or vegetables from home, although this is not essential everyday as we do receive a donation of food from Overton Co-op. We run a cafe type snack table which ‘opens’ at 10 and finishes at 11.15. The children can sit down for a snack at any time and we do try and encourage all children to come and have a drink at least. Snack can consist of fruit, crackers, toast, fruit loaf, butter, jam and cheese.
The children are encouraged to make their own selection and spread the toppings. Please bear this is mind when you take your child home after playgroup if they don’t appear to be hungry!

What happens when I bring my child in/what is the best way to settle them?
The entrance hall is where we currently display a few relevant pieces of information, such as staff photos, details of photographer visits, committee issues, fundraising initiatives, best practice articles, play dough making rota. Please take time to have a look at these as there are often some useful notices placed here. This is also where you’ll need to leave coats and bags etc.
The show box (a pink bucket) is just inside the door, please place items in here and we will hand them back to your child at ‘carpet time’, when they can talk about the item if they wish, or simply show it to everyone.
Straight ahead of you, there is a board with all the children’s names (first name only) who are on the playgroup register. Please encourage your child to find their name and then move it onto the adjacent board to show who is at playgroup today.
Each child/parent is unique and you must do what suits you best when leaving your child at playgroup. What we have found is that it seems to work well if you try and settle your child at an activity before saying goodbye. You are welcome to stay for as long as you feel you need to. If you need assistance when it’s time to say goodbye, please ask a member of staff who will be happy to help you.

How do you handle allergies?
Please advise us as soon as possible, if your child has ANY allergies, no matter what they are. In addition to making sure they don’t eat something they shouldn’t at snack time, we occasionally have parents bringing pets in to see us; we also make our own play dough, so if someone has a gluten allergy we can make the dough with special flour.

Who will be taking a special interest in my child’s development?
Each child is allocated a ‘key person’ who will introduce themselves to you in September. They will be watching and monitoring your child’s development and producing a Learning Journey for your child. This is simply a folder with various observations and remarks concerning your child’s time at playgroup. We send this home with your child once a term and you are encouraged to add your own comments on the Records of Development. Please return the Learning Journey to playgroup. All the staff can be approached if you have any questions. As we run two settings (the other is at Overton Primary School) your child’s key person may not be present for all your child’s sessions.
Parent’s feedback on the Learning Journeys has been really positive as it can be tricky to get your child to talk in any detail about what they get up to at playgroup. It’s also an opportunity for you to give us your own insights and observations, as often children can be very different at home.

 What is the ‘All about me’ booklet?
This is a brief questionnaire about your child. It enables your child’s key person and the other staff to get to know a little about your child before they start playgroup such as how they like to be comforted, do they have a special word for ‘toilet’ etc. We also ask you to complete a photo permission slip (as photographs are used in your child’s Learning Journey), consent form for first aid and medical help.
Importantly, if your child has any medical issues or allergies, please point this out to Amanda Igo, Playgroup Leader and/or your child’s key person. We are only allowed to administer prescription medication and only then if we have a signed permission slip. All prescription medication is kept in a locked cupboard.

What is the ‘Show box’?
At the end of the session we gather the children around the carpet for a story and some singing. This is also an opportunity for them to talk about or show a special toy, photograph or object that they have chosen to bring from home. This is purely up to your child whether they wish to bring something or not. Oftentimes, it can provide us with inspiration as to what is currently interesting your children at the time, i.e. films/toys/books of the moment which helps with our child-led activities.
 
What do you do if my child is ill?
If your child has an accident at playgroup, all the staff are first aid trained and will take the necessary steps to care for your child in the best way possible. In most cases, this is a quick cuddle and a story and then when you collect your child we will ask you to check and sign the accident book. If your child sustains a more serious injury, we will of course contact you using your emergency contact details.

What do I do if my child is ill?
If your child is unwell on a day they are due to attend a session at playgroup, please contact us and let us know. It would be very useful to know the nature of their illness, i.e. Chickenpox, Slapped Cheek, etc., so that we can advise other parents that we have been notified of a case. Your child’s identity will be confidential, of course.

When do I pay my fees?
Fees are due at the start of each term. Amanda will send an invoice home with your child. We prefer that this is paid once every half- term. However, if you would prefer to pay weekly or monthly, please speak to Amanda. We also accept Childcare Vouchers if that is something your employer provides. Again, please speak with Amanda to make sure that your voucher provider is already registered with us.

Can I help out at Playgroup?
Absolutely! There are lots of ways you can help.
1. You can become a parent/helper for the day. This means spending a whole session at playgroup, experiencing the outline of playgroup and helping out with activities or the snack table. You are never left in charge of any child/children but purely there to support the staff in running a session. We also ask that you sign a confidentiality form to state that you won’t discuss any child outside of the session.
2. You can join our ‘Bank’ staff. Occasionally, due to sickness, we may be short-staffed, so we have a number of parents on a list of ‘bank’ staff. Basic training is provided and a CRB check is necessary, but in some cases, parents who have provided bank cover have enjoyed it so much that they have started to work for us permanently! If you are interested, please speak to Amanda Igo.
3. You can put your name on the play dough making rota. We provide the recipe and the ingredients.
4. You can join the Parent Management Committee. They currently meet once every half-term to discuss playgroup issues, such as fundraising, Ofsted and other related topics. As Overton Pre-School Playgroup is a registered charity, the committee plays a vital role in its management, leaving Amanda and her team to concentrate on the care and education of your child.

If you are interested in joining the Parent Management Committee, please speak to our current Chair, Julie Bell on 07789 598966 or overtonhill@yahoo.co.uk