Bridge Village
Playgroup

The Village Hall, High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent.

Dear Parents, 9.7.97.

well, this is the last newsletter of the year at Playgroup. We are saying
goodbye to some children who are moving up to School. We wish them all the
very best — Mungo, Dominic, Penny, Katie, Emily, Luke, Max and Jamie (I
think that's everybody?!).

We have now changed Committee following the AGM on Monday. A big thank you
to those who did come and support us. The new Committee is:

Chair Alison Hague We are still looking for at least one

Treasurer Charlotte Salter more Parent who would be able to join

Secretary Bonnie Williamson them. Please consider it and let the

General Sharon James Supervisors know if you are able to
Katie Young help.

It goes without saying that we should thank the past Committee for doing
their bit this year. It has been really hard work with problems ranging from
new staff (finding them!), lack of numbers because of local competition and
the installation of the Nursery Voucher System. I'm delighted to inform you
that numbers are up again with some children returning to us. Things were
looking sticky but not any longer! There was an awful lot of work to be done
with the Voucher system but now that it is all in place, whatever the new
Government decide to do with funding/inspections and content, I am sure that
it will be a doddle!

We do have a few spare places for the Monday sessions from September if you are
interested. These are available to children with a maximum of three terms away
from starting school. 9—11.30am. 12 children maximum. £3.25 per session.
Please Contact the Supervisors for more information.

 

We were inspected last Thursday by Social Services and we suitably impressed.

We have a few recommendations to look into; ie updating books & toys to show ,;mH
more mixed race, disabilities and gender—ability (Mum fixing car, Dad cooking :4“7k
etc). Praises were sung on our Supervisors which we know about anyway, don't wshfigf.

If you entered our Quiz, thank you. The answers are on their way back to you. _43i§f ’
A small amount of money was raised but it was fun to do. “””’

Finally, thank you to Mrs. Webb, Beth, Trish and Mary who have been brilliant
in their work this year. Thank you for keeping everything going.

Have a good Summer and see you in September. Regards. Anne.
Registered Charity No. 1029286
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9696*

. Child Protection — it is our legal duty to look out for a child.

. Child Protection Course — Beth has been on one.

. Good book recommended to buy — Working Together.HMSO.

BRIDGE VILLAGE PLAYGROUP
Notes on Meeting 3.7.97. with Wendy Luckham, Social Services
(recommendations and instructions):

. Updating library books — ie must have some covering gender—mixing

(Mum fixing car, Dad cooking etc), disability (stories showing people with
wheelchairs/hearing aids) race (Coloured children or children from another
country — next term we will have a French and American boy!).

. Child—sized tables and chairs. Evidently this is only a suggestion (but it

was quite forcefully put! and was mentioned last year (to my knowledge, it
wasn't a point that was made). We indicated that we would look into it.

We have a few chairs already in library corner & home corner but did stress
that perhaps the money is not a problem but storage is. Sibton Park, Lyminge
(Prep. School & Nursery) is closing down. I have contact them to see if any
Nursery equipment is available and am waiting to hear. They are having a
sale of such things. Might be worth contacting PLA to see if local group
closing down or wanting to get of some. Doesn't have to be new just in good
condition.

. Ought to have copy of K.C.C. Playgroup Daycare & Educational Provisions.

Mrs. L. said we should have a copy but I do not hold one. Need to Contact
her and she will send a photocopy of current issue (out of print at mo.). I
do hold copy of Inspection Standards.

. would like us to expand on cooking!

. Break—times — it would be nice if we introduced fruit/carrots/celery sticks

etc. More healthy/makes a change etc.
before.

This is a thought that we have discussed

. Medication - if children have to have medication on regular basis then written

instructions have to be received from Parents/Doctors.
medication needed on occasional basis too. Check with insurance to see if we
are covered. More care required if epilectic/peanut allergy etc. (we already
ask for such info. on Medical Form).

Probably the same if

If in any
doubt on a child always there at Family Centre (70 Stour Street, Canterbury
451741) or with Mrs. Luckham's Dept. Totally confidential. Neglect, Abuse
anything. Must have written policy in place with copy to Social Services by
1.12.97. Has to be added to the Medical Form/Welcome info. Signed by
Parents and returned to us, saying they understand our obligation towards
welfare of child blah, blah. All information totally confidential etc.

Accident Book - if child arrives with injuries, these must be entered to cover
us and Supervisors. Parents to sign.

. Send new Committee/Staff info (name, address & contact numbers etc). to Mrs. L.

We should encourage our other
staff to attend next ones. Mary will probably cover most of this in her course?
I think Mrs.L. said it
was about Social Services/Playgroups working together, our responsibilities etc.


..cont'd...

. Manners Poster — good idea to put this up as it shows Parents what we are aiming

*9?-16*

for ie: We are polite to each other, We help each other etc.

Playgroup Policies — I feel that these are covered in what has already been
set out but just add to it the Child Protection bit.

Must add Staff to the register so that it is shown who was in on each morning.

(Difficult to keep up with, with all of four staff!!).

. Medical/Consent Form — add childs pet name or familiar name, religion, and
space for them to enter any comments on fears the child has/phobias etc.
Parents to sign they understand rules and regs. etc. (already mentioned).

. Should obtain Health & Safety poster and display because we are employers.

. The last Safety Check should be check up with the Village Hall Committee and
make ourselves aware of them in future. We are liable etc. for Staff and
children.

. Fire Procedure. Should be written down and up on wall. Although children are
drilled each half term and staff know what to do, if a Visitor/Mum there, they
wouldn't. etc.

. Mothers Rota - push again (have tried loads of times in past without much luck).
Keen to get as much cover as possible. le, if Staff doing loo run or an accident
and out of the room, children should have extra cover in hall while away etc.
Stressed we could make it an obligation to Parents to do one a term or something
like that.

. Part 10 Children Act. HMSO. Should really have in our files as we are covered
by it.

. Recommended Kick Theatre Group, Margate. They visit Playgroups. Try and intro.
more music/dressing up etc. Ask Parents with skills etc. (Have, again tried
this with no luck or response).

. Chairs in hall should only be stacked 3 high max.

. First Aid box should be out during morning, not in cupboard.

. Felt another member of staff would be good idea. (Again, we had started to
think/discuss this for next term).

It.seemed a long three—hours! ‘She.was very nice, pleased with the work we had

been doing and with our Staff. Above points were picky and I'm pretty sure that

they had not been mentioned before.

Anne Tapley.

9.7.97.

cc: new Committee

old Committee
Supervisors