Welcome to The Kineton Playgroup Prospectus
Please click below to go straight to:

• Our Prospectus
• Aims and Objectives
• A Typical Day
• Kineton Sites
• Request an Enrolment Form

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Introduction

Kineton Playgroup
Staff
Committee

Who is Playgroup for?
How will my child benefit?
How is Kineton Playgroup Judged?
What will my child discover?
What facilities are available?
What are the Playgroup policies?
What must my child bring?
When is Playgroup open?
Can I help with a Playgroup session?
Can I help with fundraising?
How much does it cost?
When and how do I pay?
How do I enrol my child?
Can I visit playgroup before my child starts?
Is there anything else I need to know?
Emergency Phone Number

Kineton Playgroup Ý

Kineton Playgroup is an independent Playgroup operating from the Methodist Hall in Kineton (for more information about our village please click here) and has been serving the local community since 1967.
The Playgroup is

• a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance
• a registered charity
• registered under the Children's Act 1989.

Staff Ý

Supervisor
Helen is our Supervisor and joined us in 1993. She has a B.Ed First Class Honours Degree and has had a wide range of teaching experience with nursery and Key stage 1 children.

Deputy Supervisor
Elizabeth joined us in 1997 and is currently studying for an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare.

Playgroup Assistants
Marie, Liz and Carol are our playgroup assistants

One to One Assistants
We have recently taken on two 'one to one' assistants, Gail and Angie.

We have a dedicated team of staff, all of them are trained First Aiders and attend numerous courses to ensure the best care and provision for our children.

Committee Ý

Questions and Answers

Who is the playgroup for? Ý
Playgroup is open to any children between the ages of three and five years old. We welcome all members of the community and always try to accommodate any child with special circumstances  or special educational needs.

How will my child benefit? Ý
Kineton Playgroup is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance and is committed to providing the highest standard of education and learning for your child.

How is Kineton Playgroup Judged? Ý
The playgroup has been inspected by Ofsted  . The report commented on our success on reaching the standards expected on the Early Learning goals and commended the playgroup on its achievements. Please click the button if you wish to review our latest Ofsted report:

Social services inspect annually, checking the building structure, safety provision, policies and activities, these have all, to date, exceeded requirements.

What will my child discover? Ý
Our curriculum is based on the Early Learning Goals as outlines in the Foundation Stage Documents published by the DFEE. This curriculum underpins all future learning by supporting, fostering, promoting and developing children's progress in six key areas:
    1.    Personal, Social and Emotional Development
    2.    Communication, Language and Literacy
    3.    Mathematical Development
    4.    Knowledge and Understanding of the World
    5.    Physical Development
    6.    Creative Development
We operate a topic based curriculum where a different mini theme is chosen for a 1, 2 or 3 week time slot (our current themes can be seen by clicking on Letters from Helen). We aim to provide an environment in which children will be encouraged to learn through play, promoting all aspects of their development using the Early Learning Goals from the Foundation Stage as a basis for developing a broad based curriculum for the achievements, as well as a folder containing samples of their work.
All children are observed on a regular basis which helps in their progress through our curriculum. These records are available at any time for parents to see. Children take great pride in their folders and self assessments and enjoy the preparations in October and May when we hold parent's evenings. Staff members are available for consultation before and after each session, all records are strictly confidential and become your property when your child leaves our setting.

What facilities are available? Ý
Kineton Methodist Hall comprises of two rooms, one which we use as a general playroom and the other as a quiet room. We have an enclosed and secure garden area with a wide variety of equipment to promote physical development. There is a fully equipped kitchen for use during cookery sessions.

What are the playgroup policies? Ý
We are continually reviewing and updating our policies with our membership of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. A copy of all policies we have adopted is available at playgroup.

What must my child bring? Ý

• We encourage all children to bring an item for the show table related to the topic of the week.
• All children must have a coat (named) especially during the colder months so that they can play in the garden (weather permitting).
• Don't forget to tell a member of staff of any particular medical needs your child has and if there are any foods you wish your child not to have for medical or cultural reasons.

Can I help with a playgroup session? Ý
Yes! Each parent is expected to help in playgroup on a rotation basis at least once a term. Your help enables us to keep our fees lower than they would be if we had to employ an additional member of staff.
If you have any special skills that you can share with the children - please let us know.
We often require parental help when we go out on trips within the village, notices are placed on the board about forthcoming outings so if you are able to help, please sign up.

Can I help with fundraising? Ý
Regular fundraising events such as the Christmas Fayre, New to you  and Jumble Sales are organized by the committee and can not be operated without the support of parents. Please try to help if you can, new ideas are always welcome.

How much does it cost? Ý
£3.30 a session. Younger children are allocated two sessions per week, children in the year prior to starting school are offered three sessions per week. Extra sessions may be available according to our numbers. In some cases we can arrange help with fees, if you require help please do not hesitate to talk in confidence with the Chairperson or Fee Collector. The leaving notice is half a term, otherwise you will forfeit half a terms worth of fees. The Nursery Grant is non-refundable.

When and how do I pay? Ý
Fees are due at the start of each half-term and may be paid weekly, monthly or half-termly, in cash or by cheques made payable to Kineton Playgroup. Weekly fees should be paid on the first session attended each week. Monthly and half-termly fees should be paid by the end of the first week of term. Please put the fees in an envelope marked with your child's name and place it in the Fees Box at Playgroup.

How do I enrol my child? Ý
Please complete an enrolment form. These are available from Kineton Toddler group or the Enrolments officer.

Alternatively you can e-mail us for information.

Can I visit playgroup before my child starts? Ý
It would be beneficial for you and your child to visit prior to starting playgroup. This will assist with the settling in of your child in our setting.

We will soon be introducing a system where you will be invited to attend the general play portion of a session with your child in the week prior to them commencing playgroup (10:30am for morning sessions / 1:45pm for afternoon sessions). This will enable your child to enjoy playing with the children he/she will be sharing that playgroup session with. We believe that this will help your child to see playgroup as a fun place to be and  help the settling-in process to go smoothly when they start playgroup.

Is there anything else I need to know? Ý
Yes!
Clothing
We have sweatshirts, T-shirts and sun hats with the playgroup logo on that are available for purchase at playgroup.

Lunch Club
We operate a picnic lunch facility on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 noon to 1pm. places are limited and are only available to those children who staff feel are able to cope with the extra hour and the discipline required during this period. The charge is £1.20 per session.

Illness
If your child should suffer from sickness or diarrhoea at any time please do not send your child back to playgroup until 24 hours have passed since their last episode of sickness/diarrhoea. Children with chickenpox are infectious until the last spot has scabbed over. Refund of fees may be possible in cases of prolonged illness or hospitalization, please speak to the chairperson or fee collector.
Head lice are also highly contagious and very uncomfortable, please check your child regularly.

Work Experience Students
During each academic year we are approached by students looking for a placement at our playgroup. Each student is required to comply with our confidentiality policy before taking up any place offered and is closely monitored by out staff. We feel the Kineton playgroup offers a great insight for students considering a career with Pre-school children.

Selling Days
We allow parents to sell their playgroup days if their child will not be attending for any reason (e.g. holiday), this however, does not apply to funded sessions. If you wish to do this it is your responsibility to put a notice on the board and collect your money from the parent purchasing your child's session. Please inform a member of staff of any changes.

Playgroup Telephone Number - For Emergency use ONLY
Should you need to contact us in an EMERGENCY the mobile number which is on ONLY during playgroup sessions is 07814 769082. If it is not an emergency or if you have any queries please e-mail us .

Collecting your child from Playgroup
It is vital that your child is collected by a responsible adult known to the staff and that they are collected promptly.

Links with Kineton C of E Primary School
We have established excellent links with Kineton C of E Primary School. For the rising-five age group we ensure that each child visits the Reception Class within the school on as many occasions as possible prior to starting. We also visit at various times during the year when we are invited to school events. The reception class visits Playgroup to watch our Annual Christmas Play. Please note that a place at Kineton Playgroup does not guarantee a place at Kineton C of E primary school. To enrol your child please contact the School Secretary on 01926 640397. To visit the Friends of Kineton Primary School Web site please click here.

Please also visit:

Aims and Objectives

A Typical Day

Kineton Sites

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