Chuckles Pre-School Centre

“learning through play”

CENTRE PROSPECTUS

Welcome to Chuckles Pre-School Centre

Dear Parents

We would like to welcome your children to our Pre-

School situated in the grounds of Castle Gardens Primary School in Newtownards. We see the Centre as

an extension of your children’s home. Our aim is to provide a caring and stimulating environment where all children will have an opportunity to develop fully and

where your child can make new friends, and in an enjoyable way, develop confidently to take their next

step in their education. Our Centre is currently managed by a Committee

which is made up of parents of the children present in the Centre. The Centre’s trained and dedicated staff

offer excellent facilities for pre-school children.

General Information: We are based at: Castle Gardens Primary School 69 Bowtown Road, Newtownards Tel 0793 336 0166 The Centre Leader/Manager is: Mrs Julie McCullough The Deputy Leader is: Mrs Donna L Donnan The Centre Assistants are: Mrs Helen Moore Ms Laurien McClean All staff are fully qualified and hold relevant certificates for Early Years, First Aid and Child Protection. The Leader, Deputy and Chairperson are the Designated Officers for Child Protection issues within the Centre. Our staff volunteers are: Mrs Christine Murphy and Mrs Amanda Thompson (Chairperson) Chuckles Pre-School Centre Committee The Centre’s Committee is responsible for the fundraising and employment of staff. Meetings of the Committee are held on a regular basis. The Committee is made up of parents of children within the setting and we would encourage all parents to support our various activities throughout the year. Registration and Insurance The Centre is registered with CAPS (Curriculum and Programme Support) and we have our own independent Early Years Specialist, Mrs Janice Mawhinney, who provides us with advice, training and support, at any time, if required. In addition, we have a Registering Social Worker, Ms Madeline Maxwell, from our local Health and Social Services Board who visits the Centre. We are inspected annually by Social Services. Hours of opening: The Centre is open five mornings a week from 9.00am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday, to facilitate children attending the Centre on a funded basis Toys Children are discouraged from bringing toys to the Centre as we cannot be held responsible for anything lost or damaged. However, a comforter or special toy will be accepted, if required by the child.

STAFF ROLES

Staff within Chuckles Pre-School Centre are constantly engaged in:

x Careful observation x Responding to children’s comments, questions and requests x Talking with children, offering views and suggestions x Planning and preparing a curriculum based on interests, abilities and

needs AT ALL TIMES, STAFF WILL:-

x Be aware of their influence as a role model x Value each child as a unique individual x Hold high, but realistic expectations of all children x Co-operate with parents and any others who may be involved in the

child’s development It is the aim of the Centre that all children should be given opportunities to:-

x Grow in self-confidence, experience success and thus develop a good self-image

x Develop at their own rate through challenging, progressive play x Learn to play co-operatively and share with others x Communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings clearly to both adults and

children x Deepen and lengthen concentration through their natural spontaneous

curiosity and interests x Choose and explore a wide range of materials which allow them to

express themselves appropriately and creatively x Share in the wonder and excitement created by books, stories, songs,

rhymes, music and the natural environment x Appreciate and practise social skills and learning to care for others x Enjoy the satisfaction of work well done and share this with their

parents.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND – FUNDED PLACED CHILDREN

Children who are attending the Centre in their pre-school year on a funded place will, in accordance with guidelines form Department of Education, be allocated a Key Worker. This will be a member of the

staff team who will make observations over the six areas of development of the Pre-School Education Curriculum.

These six areas of development are:-

1. The Arts 2. Language Development 3. Early Mathematical Experiences 4. Personal, Social and Emotional Development 5. Physical Development and Movement 6. The World Around Us

You will be introduced to your child’s Key Worker at the beginning of term in September and a more detailed letter will be given then to explain these six areas of development. A settling-in form and progression report will be given out throughout the year informing you of progress and you should consult your child’s Key Worker with any queries or concerns at any time.

Parents in the Centre Every effort is made to ensure that 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 routines can make children feel insecure, thus affecting their behaviour or general personality. If parents wish, they should inform the Leader or Deputy 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 the Centre’s activities. You could help in any of the following ways:-

x Joining the Committee (having a say in the running of the Centre) x Helping with outings and parties x The Mother’s Helper x Fundraising x Attending relevant meetings and responding to circulars issued x Spending time with the children discussing or demonstrating some

aspect of your talent or profession, eg: baking, craft, fire-man, farmer, etc.

CHUCKLES PRE-SCHOOL CENTRE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The Centre has a comprehensive list of policies and procedures and these are available for parents to consult at any time. Our Policies and Procedures File is

permanently available beside the Parents Noticeboard. This file includes the following policies:-

Admissions Policy Aims/Objectives Policy

Anti-Bullying Policy Arrival/departure Policy

Behaviour Management Policy Care in the Sun Policy Child Protection Policy

Complaints/Comments Policy Confidentiality Policy

Curriculum Planning and Evaluation Policy

Data Protection Policy E Safety Policy

Equal Opportunities Policy Fees Policy

Fire Drill Policy First Aid Policy

Fundraising Policy Health and Safety Policy

Healthy Eating Policy Infection Control Policy

Intimate Care Policy

Missing Child Policy Mobile Phone/Camera Policy

No Smoking Policy Observation/record keeping and

Assessment Policy Outings Policy

Partnership with Parents/Carers Policy Photography Policy

Recruitment and Selection Policy Rota Policy

Settling in Policy Special Needs Policy Staff Appraisal Policy

Staff development and Training Policy Staff Induction Policy

Staff personal care/Uniform Policy Student Placement Policy

Swine Flu Policy Toy and Equipment Policy

Whistle Blowing Policy

Should you wish to view any policy, we can send this to you via email.