Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I enquire about a place?
We would advise to get in touch as soon as possible. The Centre Playgroup operates a waiting list therefore we advise to put your child’s name down as early as you can. However, we will always do our upmost to help secure your place. The best thing to do is get in touch with our Manager who will be more than happy to help.
Are you in partnership with Glasgow City Council?
Yes, we work in partnership with Glasgow City Council to offer funded places for children.
Do I need a Personal Tour?
Our personal tours have been especially designed to enable you to get a feel for the playgroup and chat with our staff. During your tour, our manager will be on hand to answer any questions and to discuss your child’s individual care requirements. We want you and your child to feel comfortable right from the start.
Do you hold Open Day?
Yes! Open Day take place in May
Can you help with toilet training?
Certainly, we will align with your home routine and provide guidance on successful, collaborative toilet training for your child.
What if I have a question?
We love to answer your questions! Our friendly teams are on hand to support you every step of the way, please ask as many questions as you have at any point of your nursery search. You can email us at thecentreplaygroup@gmail.com or give us a call on 07490642001
I'm quite anxious about leaving my child, do you have any advice?
It is completely natural to feel anxious, whether it is your first baby or your fourth – the worry doesn’t go away! We completely understand and are here to support you. Many of our team are parents themselves and have first-hand experience of how scary the thought of leaving your child can be. To help alleviate some of the worry we offer free settling-in sessions for as long as you and your child needs. Our team are here on-hand to discuss any worries or concerns and will work with you and your child for as long as you both need to feel comfortable, settled and secure.
Do you provide drinks, snacks and lunch?
We provide a healthy snack during each of our sessions. Children are offered a healthy breakfast. Fresh drinking water is available for children to help themselves to throughout the day. Chilled milk is offered during lunch times. We provide your child with a healthy hot 2-course lunch which is prepared and delivered to the nursery by an external catering company. Alternatively, please provide your child with a healthy packed lunch, which we will keep chilled in our refrigerator.
What should my child bring with them?
Soft Indoor Shoes. If your child has worn wellington boots or snow boots to playgroup in the interest of safety we would ask that you provide a change of shoes for your child.
We prefer that children do not bring toys as these can be easily lost amongst playgroup toys. We do however understand that some children feel more secure if they have a familiar toy with them and this is acceptable during the settling period.
In order to prevent choking children should not bring sweets or treats with them.
CHEWING -GUM AND BUBBLE-GUM ARE NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME
NUT REE ZONE
Please remember that the playgroup is a NUT FREE ZONE therefore we must insist that there are no nuts or traces of nuts in your child’s lunch or any other foods which you may bring into the nursery ie. Birthday cakes or any donations for coffee mornings.
What should my child wear?
Suitable old clothing or the Playgroup Uniform for your child to be comfortable in during outdoor play.
We recommend that children do not wear good clothes in order that they can participate freely in all kinds of messy play. We have protective aprons for the children to wear however some children refuse to put them on. We have a uniform for the children which is a yellow t-shirt, purple jumper and this year we are able to offer a purple Hoodie. Please note these are not compulsory.
These can be ordered online at https://www.schoolwearmadeeasy.com/badged-school-uniform/a-d/c/centre-pre-school Please note that all web orders are subject to a carriage charge of £1.95.
All children’s clothing and shoes should be clearly labelled with the child’s name. This saves any confusion at home time.
Please ensure your child’s lunch bag is clearly labelled with their name to prevent any confusion.
We participate in outdoor play each day therefore it is strongly advised that children are suitably clothed for the weather.
To prevent tripping on mats, climbing frame etc., open-toed shoes are not recommended.
What Steps are taken to ensure my child's safety whilst at Playgroup?
Daily safety checks are carried out on the premises by members of staff prior to the arrival of the children, e.g., hot water temperature, fire appliances, fire exits etc., findings are recorded in appropriate log books.
Staff consider all safety issues prior to undertaking activities with the children and always carry out a risk assessment prior to taking children outdoors.
All staff members that are fully trained In First Aid Procedures.
What will my child do at Playgroup?
Each session comprises of the following:
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PLAY – Play allows children to be active, to take control, to explore, experiment and to try new things. Play allows children to set and pursue their own tasks and to solve problems which are real and meaningful to them. Through play children develop their understanding of the world and of themselves. Play allows children to experiment with language. Play helps cognitive develop. Play helps children to become abstract thinkers.
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FREEPLAY - All children learn best through play and all our children have the opportunity to investigate and learn new skills through play. Children can choose what they want to do.
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PLANNED LEARNING EXPERIENCES - Children come together individually/in small or larger groups and work with a member of staff. No child is ever forced to participate in any activity that he/she does not want to do. All children, however, are encouraged to participate in planned taught learning experiences.
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OUTDOOR PLAY – We participate in daily outdoor play. This may be in the form of freeplay or as part of a planned taught learning experience. Please ensure that your child has suitable clothing with them each day for them to be prepared for all types of weather.
How will my child learn?
Our staff are aware of the importance of play in a child’s development. Play allows children to freely express their ideas and feelings to build relationships with adults and other children. It makes a powerful contribution to children’s learning providing opportunities for children to:
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Make sense of real-life situations
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Develop an awareness of themselves and others
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Be actively involved in learning
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Develop confidence and self-esteem
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Act out and come to terms with experiences at home or with friends
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Collaborate with others
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Take initiative on their own terms
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Develop relationships with peers and adults
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Practise skills
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Negotiate with others
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Problem solve
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Consolidate previous learning
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Be challenged in new learning
The role of adults is central in supporting and extending children’s learning through play.
How will I know about my child's progress?
All parents/carers are actively encouraged to participate in the day to day running of the group and to work in partnership with staff to support their child’s development and learning.
Observations are carried out by members of staff and findings recorded from this information enables staff to accurately assess each child and transfer these to your child’s e-learning profile. These observations also help our practitioners support your child’s learning through our environment and to plan taught activities to further develop your child’s learning. Parent’s/carer will be able to log on to see their child’s progress though the learning journals app.
At the end of Term 1 we will have a stay and play session where parents and carers will be invited into playgroup to stay for an hour and discuss how your child is settling and be able to speak with staff on your child’s progress
Within Term 2 we issue a “Tracking report” covering your child’s progress in areas of the curriculum. When the “Tracking reports”” are prepared we will send home your child’s paper learning journal together with a copy of the report. If you wish your child’s keyworker will phone you to discuss the contents of the tracking report and to discuss your child’s development.
Within Term 3 we will hold another stay and play session for parents and carers to attend.
At the beginning of June End of Term Reports will also be issued to all of the children. One copy must be signed and returned to playgroup the other copy is for your own records.
We remind parents that the playgroup operates and is proud of their “Open Door” policy. All parents/carers are encouraged to speak to their child’s keyworker at anytime about their child’s progress or about any concerns or worries they have regarding any aspect of their child’s development or to arrange a time to look at their child’s Learning Folder or work. We encourage our partnership with parents at all times especially during the settling period.
Can I be assured of a smooth transition from Playgroup to Primary School?
Our Playgroup has well developed links with the local primary school.
Members of staff work very closely with other professionals and the primary schools in the child’s pre-school year, discussing any concerns and support that a child may require.
Completed transition records are shared with parents and passed on to appropriate primary schools in the month of June each year.
What should I do if my child has to be off?
If your child is absent from the group we would ask for you to let staff know as soon as possible of the reason for their absence either by email or by phoning the playgroup. On the third day of any unexpected absence, staff will contact parents directly to enquire as to why the child is absent. If we still receive no response we will work in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.
If, however, your child will be off for a planned absence of any period (holidays, etc), it would be appreciated if you let staff know in advance how long your child will be absent and when they will return. Please email the dates that your child will be absent to thecentreplaygroup@gmail.com
Who can bring my child to and collect them from the group?
Children should be brought to playgroup by a parent/carer or an adult (over 16 years) who is known to the child.
Children should be collected by the parent/carer or a known adult, authorised by the parent/carer, you will be asked to provide names of persons authorised to collect your child. If it is necessary for your child to be collected by someone other than this you must inform a member of staff, giving the name and description of the person who will collect the child, person collecting must know your child's password.
NO CHILD WILL BE RELEASED INTO THE CARE OF A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 16 YEARS.
What are the arrangements for outings?
When your child joins the group you will be given a permission slip to sign to enable your child to participate in outdoor play and activities within the confines of Mount Vernon.
Prior to any other outing taking place e.g., visits to the panto/bus trips etc., you will be issued with a permission slip which should be signed and returned to a member of staff promptly.
Risk assessments are carried out prior to outings to ensure that children and others participating in outings are not put in danger. Only suitable safe transport will be used for outings.
An adult child ratio of 1:2 is necessary for organised outings and is adhered to at all times.
What should I do if I wish to remove my child from the group?
If you wish to remove your child from the group for any reason 4 week's notice in writing is required. Correspondence should be addressed to either the Chairperson of the committee or the Manager.
Should you wish to speak to the Chairperson of the committee, please speak to a member of staff who will advise you of how they can be contacted or, alternatively, contact them on your behalf to arrange a suitable time for you to meet with them.