Keeping Parents Informed
Newsletter
Getting Involved
Fundraising
Playgroup Clothing
FAQ's
How you can help your child at home
Term Dates
Change of Details
Links

Parents
Parents are always welcome at Playgroup and we appreciate help with special projects and fund raising events. We would also like to encourage you to join the committee as new ideas are warmly welcomed. There is an Annual General Meeting each Septemebr when the committee members are elected and this is an opportunity for your voice to be heard, although you can join the committee at any point during the year.

To keep you fully informed, we have a number of ways of passing on information:
Notice Board - This is regularly updated and contains the latest newsletter, ntices, topics etc.
Newsletter - This is issued each half term and gives details of topics, events and term dates.
Letters - From time to time we give out extra letters to cover items not mentioned in the newsletter
Website - The latest newsletter is available on our website. As the site develops, we hope to include copies of the topic plans, links to useful websites and other items of interest. Your feedback on this would enable us to ensure we provide the information you want to see.

Newsletter

February 2008 pdf
January 2008 pdf
October 2007 pdf

Getting Involved

One of the best ways of getting involved with the Playgroup is to join the Committee. You don't have to take on a specific role, you can just be a supporter. The committee is responsible for the way the Playgroup is run and it is a good way to find out more about how it works. There are opportunities to undertake training, if you are interested. All committee members are required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and be registered with OFSTED, which the Playgroup pays for.
You could volunteer to help at Playgroup. If you are able to commit to helping on a regular basis, this would benefit the group enormously. All volunteers are required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and be registered with OFSTED, which the Playgroup pays for.
The fundraising team are always keen to hear from parents who would be willing to help set up or man a Table Top sale, sell raffle tickets or come up with new fundraising ideas.

Fundraising

The Fundraising team undertake fundraising events each term. These may include a raffle, table top sale or other similar ventures.

In April 2007, Tony Southam, the father of two children from our Playgroup and Toddler Group kindly offered to raise money for us by running the London Marathon. He succeeded in raising over £600, which is fantastic and very much appreciated.

Penhill Playgroup Clothing

Parents Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my child is unwell?
If your child is unwell and will not be attending, can you please let us know on 767513. In cases of sickness or diarrhoea we would ask that you keep your child at home until they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. Children with conjunctivitis will not be allowed to attend, as the condition is highly contagious. Head lice can be a problem from time to time. If you find nits or lice in your child’s hair please let us know so that we can watch out for signs of it in other children (and staff!). We do have a leaflet for a mixture that can easily be made at home.

What if my child needs an inhaler?
If your child uses an inhaler, it needs to be put in a named bag and handed to a member of staff. We will also need a letter of consent to administer the inhaler for our records.

What clothing should my child wear?
We take the children outside to play whenever possible, so please ensure that their coats, hats etc are marked with their names. Biro on the label will do – there’s no need for expensive nametags. We have many “messy” activities during our sessions, old clothes are best! Also, we have a climbing frame so suitable shoes are essential. If your child wears earrings, studs are preferable, as they won’t catch when the children dress up.

What if I neeed someone else to collect my child?
If someone other than the named person is to collect your child, let a member of staff know when you drop your son/daughter off or call us on 767513. We will not let your child go with someone we don’t know.

What if I am going to be late collecting my child?
If you know you’ll be late collecting, let us know as soon as you can. When we are at Freshbrook School (up to three afternoons a week), we like to leave the hall by 12.15pm.

What happens if there is an emergency?
In the event of an emergency, our place of safety will be either the Empire Club or Youth Centre in Penhill Road. If an emergency should occur at Freshbrook School whilst we are there, we would bring the children back to the Guide Hall.

Do I have to pay when my child is absent?
Playgroup fees still have to be paid even if your child is away.

If you have any other questions, please ask one of the staff.

How you can help your child at home

Supporting your child’s Personal and Social Development

Helping Build Confidence:

• Listen carefully to what your child is telling you.
• Show your child that you respect their views and their efforts. (Take interest in and comment on their paintings, drawings, models etc.)
• Show your child that they are special to you.

Supporting Behaviour:

• Be consistent in how you expect your child to behave.
• Try not to be overly hard or overly indulgent with your child.
• Remember to give praise and attention to your child’s good behaviour .

Aiding Independence:

• Encourage your child to be personally independent (e.g. dressing, washing, toileting).
• Give your child choice in his/her daily routines (e.g. choosing which cereal for breakfast, clothes to wear, which walk to take).
• Give your child choices in how he/she uses his/her time at home.

Developing Social Skills:

• Allow your child to meet and socialize with other children during the week.
• Invite other children to play with your child at home.
• Visit other people’s homes.

Encouraging Tolerance and Interest in others:

• Help your child learn about the similarities and differences of others (e.g. from people within your neighbourhood , books, pictures and television).
• Talk to your children about celebrations important to your family and festivals celebrated by others.

Encouraging care for the environment:

• Help your child care for growing things (e.g. through having his/her own patch of garden/window box, providing food for the birds, helping him/her care for a pet).
• Help your child become responsible for keeping the environment tidy (e.g. picking up litter in the park, at the seaside).

Above all, show your child that you really enjoy being with them. Unconditional love is the greatest gift you can give your child, and it costs nothing!

Term Dates 2008

Spring Term 2008
Monday 7th January 2008 - Friday 4th April 2008.
Half term is Monday 18th February - Friday 22nd February inclusive.
Where / when is the Easter Holiday?
Schools will have Good Friday (21st March 2008) and Easter Monday (24 March 2008) off, and go back to school on 25th March until 4th April. The two weeks for Easter is the 7th April - 18th April inclusive. This is because the Easter bank holidays are so early in the year, so the terms had to be split more evenly.n starts on 21 April.

Summer Term 2008
Monday 21st April 2008 - Wednesday 23rd July 2008.
Half term is Monday 26th May - Friday 30th May inclusive.

Change of Details

Please would you inform us of any changes on your child’s records, e.g. address, phone number, mobile? It is so important that we can contact you in the event of an emergency.
Child’s Name………………………………………………………………………………………………
Home phone number…………………………………………………………………………………
Emergency phone number…………………………………………………………………
Mobile………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Work phone number…………………………………………………………………………………
Change of address……………………………………………………………………………………

Links