FAQ
What if my child needs to be given medication while attending at Pre-school?
When your child first starts at Pre-school, please advise the supervisors of any problems, medical or otherwise, that may be relevant to the care of your child and of any regular medication that your child takes. Please also inform staff if your child has any allergies or food intolerances.
If your child takes any medication which must be administered during a Pre-school session, parents must complete an authorisation form. This is available in your New Parent Pack or by asking any member of staff at Pre-school. Each different type of medicine requires a separate authorisation and must be brought to Pre-school in the original container in which it was dispensed. Please note, Pre-school staff can only administer prescribed medicines. It is also essential to advise staff if your child has taken any medication that morning before coming to Pre-school.
How will Pre-school contact me in case anything happens to my child?
It is essential that we have an emergency telephone number of someone we can contact, if necessary, if you are not available. You will be asked for this information on your registration form, but it is important that you keep these details up to date and advise us of any changes.
What if my child is ill?
The supervisor should be informed if your child is absent with an infectious or contagious illness.
Children suffering from sickness and/or diarrhoea are asked not to attend Pre-school for at least 48 hours after the last bout.
What if my child has an accident at Pre-school?
An accident file is kept at Pre-school and any accident occurring during the Pre-school session is recorded in the book, along with the treatment given. The parent/carer will be asked to sign a sheet to say that they have been informed of the accident. In case of emergency, if the parent/carer cannot be contacted, the appropriate emergency treatment will be carried out.
We also have a “Previous Injury” book to record any injuries which the child has suffered before coming to Pre-school. A parent or guardian will need to sign this.
How can I get involved in Pre-school?
The Pre-school is a charity run by a voluntary committee of Pre-school parents. The committee is responsible for employing the staff, managing the business side of the Pre-school and fundraising to cover the day-to-day running costs. The committee relies on new members joining each year and encourages every parent to attend meetings.
If you would like to join the committee or find out more about its work, please contact the chairperson through Pre-school on 01491 875036, or come along to the next meeting. Dates are posted on the Pre-school notice board.
What if my child has special needs?
Our aim as a Pre-school is to give all children an equal opportunity to attend and learn. This includes children who may have special educational needs. In these circumstances, we work closely with parents/carers and other professionals who are involved in the care and education of your child. We aim to provide the same opportunities for learning for all children and adhere to the DCSF Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
How are children disciplined at Pre-school?
Pre-school believes that children flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them. We have rules about behaviour at Pre-school which are explained to the children when they first start. Our full Behaviour Management Policy is displayed in Pre-school.
How do I complain?
We welcome suggestions on how to improve our Pre-school at any time and have a procedure for making any concerns or complaints known. Parents can also complain directly to OFSTED if they wish on 08456 40 40 40.
How is Pre-school funded?
Goring & Cleeve Pre-school is a charity and non-profit making organisation. It is funded partly by Oxfordshire County Council, partly by fees and partly through fund raising.
How do I get funding for my child?
From the age of three years children will receive funding for nursery provision for up to 5 pre-school sessions of two and a half hours per week. This is now handled directly between Pre-school and Oxfordshire County Council. At the first Pre-school session of each term you will be asked to complete a funding form for your child. Pre-school will then process this form and claim the funding from the government. We will require a photocopy of your child’s birth certificate for funding purposes.
If your child is attending another nursery as well as Pre-school, the funding will be shared between the two settings (e.g. 3 at Pre-school, 2 at nursery), but any extra sessions will not be funded. In this case you will be charged at a rate equivalent to a funded session.
Help may be available with fees under certain circumstances. Half a term’s notice is required, in writing, if you wish to cancel either a session or your child’s place at Pre-school. If this is not given you will liable for 6 weeks fees. Fees are non-refundable for illness or holidays.
Can I help in a Pre-school session?
Once your child has settled in, you will be expected to come along and help at one session each term (more if you like – just add your name to the list on the Notice Board). An extra pair of hands is always welcome and the session will be of great benefit to you and your child. If you are worried about helping in Pre-school, please discuss your concerns with a member of staff.
When you arrive at Pre-school to help in a session, it is important to take a few moments to read the advice sheet for parent/volunteer helpers. It contains information relating to the children’s health and safety and your roles and responsibilities as a helper.
How can I meet other parents?
We have organised some very successful mums'/dads' nights out and aim to keep on doing so.
Come along to the parents evenings and committee meetings to find out how you can get involved.
In addition to the official Pre-school emails sent to all parents you can sign up to receive emails from our social "noticeboard". Please contact Larissa Gould to be added to this distribution list larissa.gould@btinternet.com.
What clothes should my child wear?
Clothing should be sensible and comfortable. For reasons of safety, no jewellery, scarves, open-toed sandals, crocs or long, flowing dresses should be worn. Lace-up boots/shoes are very difficult for the children so please try and avoid these for Pre-school. If it is sunny, please provide a hat for your child and apply sun cream before Pre-school.
What if my child has a toilet accident?
We are happy to change your child if they have a toilet accident; spare clothes are available at Pre-school, but please do send your own if you think they may be necessary.
What if my child is still in nappies?
Please provide nappies if your child is not yet toilet trained and we do request that you take away any soiled nappies or clothes at the end of the session.
What if my child is upset when I leave him/her at Pre-school?
We try to avoid this by collecting lots of information about your child before they start in order to get to know your child quickly. Our New Parent Co-ordinator will send a New Parent Information Pack which includes a questionnaire inviting you to write about your child’s favourite activities, what you would like them to be called, any friends they may have at Pre-school etc. At the beginning, parents may wish to stay with their child. Sometimes both parent and child may be upset at saying goodbye. Experience shows that most children recover in minutes and soon become absorbed in their new surroundings. Usually a quick affectionate farewell is the best policy. Rest assured that the supervisor would always contact you if any problem did arise or if your child did not settle.
How do I register my child?
Please telephone Pre-school to make an appointment to come and visit us on 01491 875036. If you would like to register your child/children you can do so from as young as 6 months old. Please contact our administrator, Heather Stevenson, on 01491 875624 / stevensongoring@aol.com to get hold of a registration form. You will be asked to complete and return it together with a £5 deposit (which will be taken off your first term’s fees). Your child’s name will be put on the waiting list for entry into Pre-school.
Pre-school operates an Admissions Policy based on age of your child and catchment – a copy of the policy can be seen at Pre-school.
How do I find out about my child's progress at Pre-school?
When your child is in the care of Pre-school we aim to give personal attention to their individual needs and development.
On starting at Pre-school, your child will be allocated a key person – a member of staff who will be responsible for monitoring their progress until he/she enters Primary School. They, together with other staff members, will regularly observe and assess your child and will be responsible for keeping an Oxfordshire Foundation Stage Profile of your child whilst they are at Pre-school. Maintaining this Profile is one of the government requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and is designed simply to monitor whether your child is attaining the Pre-school learning goals. The Pre-school operates an open door policy and members of staff are always happy to discuss your child’s progress or any other concerns you may have.
Is Pre-school OFSTED inspected?
Yes, please see our OFSTED report.