TIGGERS PLAYGROUP BALCOMBE

             TIGGERS PLAYGROUP BALCOMBE

    REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1091348

 

 

NEWSLETTER AUTUMN TERM 2004

 

 

Welcome back everyone and especially to all our new starters. This half term the theme is Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales. With this theme in mind we would like to announce a new scheme the WISH LIST. As the genie in Aladdin says “your wish is my command”. So parents, Tiggers wish to raid your cupboards, your friends and relative’s cupboards for Hand or Glove Puppets, Any dressing up clothes, Children’s dustpan and brushes, Medium sized Jam Jars and any underwear e.g. socks, pants and also trousers for that wet weather or little accident. Please look at the notice board for items on the WISH LIST NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. There must be many a room in Balcombe and beyond that are home to toys etc. that are no longer in use. Try asking your friends with older children. Thank you.

 

 

Our First Full Ofsted Inspection

The inspection took place on the 22nd of September. The inspector was with us for two sessions and gave Tracy and myself the full “feed back” afterwards. The inspector was very helpful and fair. The inspector also carried out the “Suitable Person Interview” with the “registered person” - which in our type of setting is the Chairperson. I have just received and read the report and it is now going to Tracy and Vanessa to be read and agreed. Our Vice-Chair Chris Napper has also read the report. It will then go back to Ofsted with any queries we have and will then be finalised. When this procedure has taken place I will place a copy on the small notice board. The smaller board is kept for the committee meeting minutes, the Ofsted notice of registration, a copy of the policies and procedures of the playgroup, and other such permanent and important information. Please take a look at these as well as the other information on the large notice board. Anyone who wishes to read the full report at home can request a copy from myself (Caroline Rix 819210) or tell Tracy you would like a copy and I will arrange this.

 

In short the report states “Tiggers Playgroup Balcombe offers good quality care for children. The space and resources are well organised to ensure that children are well cared for. The staff team maintain good ratios and work well together. Good safety procedures are in place and staff have a high level of awareness of risks to children’s health and safety.” There is much more and I urge every parent to read the report. I will inform everyone when it is finalised and it will also be available on the Ofsted web site at www.ofsted.gov.uk . May I take this opportunity to give all parents the telephone number of Ofsted’s Complaints and Enforcement department 0845 601 4772. 

 

 

The Annual General Meeting and Parents Evening 28th September

This turned out to be a fun event. We managed to scoff a good amount of food and quaffed a fair quantity of wine and beer. We voted in the new committee and watched a video describing the thinking behind Foundation Stage and examples of its good practice. My favourite part was watching our staff’s faces when the children on screen were playing with half a tonne of paint powder practically using it as sand for making castles!  This notwithstanding the video really did highlight the importance of our children learning so much whilst seemingly just playing. Thank you to everyone who attended and we hope to see more of you for a really good evening next year.

 

 

Our Autumn Term Fundraiser

 

       PLEASE COME TO OUR HARRY POTTER LUNCH

          6TH November 11.30 – 2.30 at the Victory Hall

          Soups, Sausages and Frankfurters in rolls, cakes and         

          other goodies, Raffle, Tombola, Bring your cut pumpkin

          Or cut one there, Worst dressed competition, Face

          Painting, colouring corner, storytelling, apple bobbing,

          Green goo bucket, Harry Potter Character and Animal

          Hunt, Guess the spell, Where are Harry’s glasses? How

          many insects in the jar (no not live ones!) Prices very

          cheap and story telling and colouring corner FREE!

          COME AND ENJOY THE FUN

 

                                            

 

Black and White Photographs of the Children for Christmas

WEDNESDAY 1ST DECEMBER between 11pm and 12noon a photographer will be visiting Tiggers. The photos will be black and white and a set of 1 10X8 plus 4 5X4 prints will cost £15. You do not have to buy the pictures if you do not like them (sale or return). Many thanks to Jo Cottell for organising it.

 

 

 

 

Children’s Christmas Party 10th December 10am-12noon

Our last day of term always ends with a party. We are repeating last years Christmas Party for the children and their siblings with a bouncy castle and mulled wine and mince pies for all parents and carers. Father Christmas is hoping to make an early visit if Rudolf allows. Please note the later start time and also that we need parents to attend to supervise the bouncy castle. Please bring a paper plate of food for your children. VENUE The Victory Hall from 10-12noon.

 

Adults Christmas Party 10th December 8pm

We are hoping to have a Christmas evening do at Balcombe Social Club. As the club no longer do food we are hoping to get caterers. This should be great fun and easier for everyone if it is local. The details of this will be announced soon. We would like to welcome everyone to it so book those baby sitters now and lets have a great evening!

 

The Climbing Apparatus Work-party

The apparatus needs some renovation and although we are waiting for a few key organisers to agree a date we would like to ask for volunteers. Many hands make light work and there will be sanding and painting work to do. A group of people will get the work done in a fraction of the time and also the company will make it more fun. Jackie Burke has promised a bacon sandwich to all those who help! Brown sauce or ketchup decisions decisions! We will announce the date in due course so please look at the notice board for more details later this term or next.

 

 

PLEASE DON’T FORGET

·        WET WEATHER AND WARM CLOTHING FOR OUTDOR FUN

·        DONATIONS OF FRUIT AND BREADSTICKS

·        PARENT HELPER ROTA

·        BOLTING THE GATE

·        PAYING YOUR FEES

·        TOY CLEANING (DECEMBER 14TH AM)

·        TO CHECK THE NOTICE BOARD REGULARLY

 

 

Lastly at the end of each Newsletter we are going to highlight a Tiggers Policy and Procedure. This term it is our Behaviour Policy. Please remember that all our policies and procedures can be found on the small notice board. If you have any queries or suggestions please call Caroline Rix Chairperson 819210

 

 

 

 

 

 


TIGGERS PLAYGROUP BALCOMBE

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT – POLICY AND PRACTICE

 

 

We believe that children and adults flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them and children are free to develop their play and learning without fear of being hurt or hindered by anyone else. We aim to work towards an environment in which children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

 

 

In order to achieve this:

 

¨      all adults in the group will ensure that the rules are applied consistently, so that children have the security of knowing what to expect and can build up useful habits of behaviour;

¨      rules governing the conduct of the group and the behaviour of the children will be discussed and agreed within the playgroup and explained to newcomers, both children and adults;

¨      all adults will provide a positive role model for children of friendliness, care and courtesy;

¨      adults in the group will praise desirable behaviour e.g. kindness and willingness to share;

¨      we will take positive steps to avoid a situation in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour;

 

When children behave in unacceptable ways:

 

¨      physical punishment such as smacking or shaking will neither be used or threatened;

¨      children will never be sent out of the room by themselves;

¨      children who misbehave will be given one-to-one adult support in seeing what was wrong and working towards a better pattern. Children will be made aware that it is the behaviour which is unacceptable, not the child;

¨      in cases of serious misbehaviour, such as intimidating/bullying, racial or other abuse, the unacceptability of the behaviour and attitudes will be made clear immediately, but by means of explanations rather than personal blame;

¨      adults will not shout, or raise their voices in a threatening way;

¨      adults in the group will make themselves aware of, and respect, cultural differences;                                                                 please turn over

 

¨      unacceptable behaviour will be handled in a developmentally appropriate way, respecting individual children’s level of understanding and maturity;

¨      recurring problems will be tackled by the whole group, in partnership with the child’s parents, using objective observation records to establish an understanding of the cause;

¨      adults will be aware that some kinds of behaviour may arise from a child’s special needs;

 

 

The following types of behaviour by children are considered unacceptable:

 

¨      all types of physical violence to another child or to an adult, such as kicking, punching, pinching, biting etc;

¨      intimidating/bullying behaviour of any kind towards another child or children;

¨      throwing objects, including sand;

¨      deliberately damaging equipment or toys;

¨      verbal abuse of another child or adult (including remarks or a sexist, racist or other abusive nature).

¨      Ignoring an adult when a child has been asked to stop any of the above.

 

Children are encouraged by all staff to:

 

¨      share;

¨      listen to and follow adult instructions;

¨      be kind and considerate to their peers and to adults;

¨      respect others’ wishes;

¨      respect playgroup equipment.