SICKNESS:

We would request that no child attend school again until 24 hours have passed following recovery from a bout of illness.

LEAVING:
Please think very carefully before moving your child, once he or she has settled here.

Many children will make the adjustment well, but not all, and too many changes early could be both a worry and detrimental to your child's progress. We urge parents to investigate the staff-pupil ratio and would confirm that your free choice of location for Pre School will not affect your right to the place offered to your child when he or she is rising 5.

ABSENCE:
Days cannot be 'swapped' for a subsequent day in school, whatsoever the reason for absence due to maintaining correct staff : pupil ratios. On occasion, and by special arrangement with the Manager an additional session may be booked, and any extra sessions attended will be added to the fees for the following term.

SECURITY:
Your child's safety is of paramount importance to us. Therefore we ask you to let us know in writing if your child is to be collected from Pre School by someone other than yourself

CONSULTATIONS:
If you would like to have a consultation about your child's progress with our Manager, they will be very happy to arrange an appointment for you. Obviously if you have any urgent problems they can be discussed immediately either with your child's Keyworker, Manager or her Deputy, but for a general talk an appointment would be preferred.

Please rest assured that if we are at all concerned about your child's progress we shall speak to you immediately, and if we do not it means that your child is progressing absolutely normally in the group.

GUIDELINES

We are often asked if there are any particular ways we can suggest that you as a parent can help to smooth your child's entry into pre school. To this end the following notes may be of help to you:

YOUR CHILD:
Please ensure that the staff are aware of any phobias or allergies your child suffers. We can often help your child overcome their worries in school time - if we know about them (e.g. hatred of spiders, dislike of closed doors etc.) Forms will be sent to you for completion regarding medical and home information before you child joins us at Pre School.

Do please tell the staff if there have been any problems or difficulties at home. The illness of a relative, a bereavement - even that of a beloved pet - or some trauma that may have affected or upset your child, could come bursting out at school, and if we know in advance the staff will be able to cope sensitively with your child's unhappiness.

At the same time, we like to know if there is something your child is bursting with excitement about but hesitant to share with us - a new baby, a special holiday, a treat or much looked forward to gift or event. We encourage the children to tell us these things, but occasionally they just need a little help to get started!

CLOTHING:
Please try to ensure the following:
a) Your child has a set of warm clothing at school comprising wellies, hat, gloves, (scarf) and coat. Even on the warmest of days a little jacket should be brought into school, the weather can change very rapidly.

b) All clothing - even items being worn each day - should be NAMED, and if you think you have lost an item, please let the staff know as soon as possible.

c) Could you also please give a thought to the ease with which the children can change. Tight jeans and trousers with belts prove awkward for children to unfasten, particularly when they are in a hurry, and we would ask you to consider tracksuit- type trousers where possible, or those elasticated at the waist.

d) Footwear, we would recommend where possible shoes with Velcro or elasticated fittings - or even buckles - be worn. Little fingers struggle to manage trainers and other laced shoes, and they're not much easier for the staff.

Obviously we are not asking anyone to go out and buy anything especially, but if you could consider these difficulties next time you are clothes and shoe shopping with your children, then the staff would be very grateful.