Frequently asked questions about South Acton Children’s Centre  

Q: What’s on Offer at the Centre?

A: Children’s Centres are designed to offer a central point of access for childcare, family support, health services, support into employment and links to other specialist services.  Children’s Centres will improve outcomes for all children, but place a particular focus on the most disadvantaged. 

Q: How do I join groups?

A: To join any groups in the Centre you will need to register by completing a registration form and we will then inform you of groups and services in our centres.  Please ask at reception for a registration form. 

Q: I want my child to start at nursery - what do I do?

A: Call at reception to make an appointment with the Head of Centre to visit the nursery and fill in an application form.

Q: I didn’t get a place in nursery – what can I do?

A: Put you name on the waiting list at reception and staff will be in contact with you when a place becomes available.  (please read ‘admissions criteria’ for further details)  

Q: I have a problem paying my nursery fees- what should I do?

A:  Please speak to a nursery manger as soon as possible so that we can negotiate a payment plan. 

Q: What will my child/ren eat at nursery?

A: There is a full menu listing available on the nursery noticeboards showing what the children will eat each day.  We are very fortunate to have had input from professional dieticians to ensure high quality healthy diets, which also are adapted to cultural and special needs.   

Q: What are the special services for special needs children?

A: There is a Special Care Unit (Sunbeams) that caters for children with multiple and complex disabilities. They have a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children so can give the children a lot of support both physically and with their learning and communication skills. Staff use Makaton signing to help children communicate as well as a system called P.E.C.S (Picture Exchange Communication System) which also includes visual timetables.Therapists from the local Primary Care Trust work with staff on a weekly basis, devising therapy programmes that staff carry out with the children, usually incorporating them into the children’s play activities. In addition we have a room (Star Room) for children on the autistic spectrum. Similarly they also have the same staffing ratios as Sunbeams and the same support from the therapists. They also use Makaton and P.E.C.S and a method of working with the children called TEACCH which is specifically for use with autistic children.As well as these specialist units we also work with children with special needs in our mainstream playrooms. The therapists also see those children and the staff carry out the programmes as in the special units.We also have a multisensory room (Moonbeams) which is very useful for children with special needs, who use their senses as part of their learning, but the room is also used by all age group rooms.   

Q: How can I get involved in my child/ren’s in education?

A: Parents are welcome to come in and help in the over 3’s nursery once in a while.  Please read the half-termly planning up on the noticeboard to see what your child is learning and how you can help at home.  Please read all letters from nursery to see how you can support your child at nursery. We welcome parent’s involvement in the Centre. You know your child best and any information you can gives us that will help your child settle, be happy and ready to play and learn will benefit everyone. There are occasions when we have specific meetings to discuss your child’s progress which may involve other professionals who work with us and your child. However you can ask to talk to staff any time and they will try to arrange a convenient time to meet for both of you.If your child has special needs you will probably have more involvement particularly in your child’s Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) and eventually  in the Statement  of Special Educational Needs which will help determine which school your child will move on to.                

Q: What is the structure of the day in nursery?  

Over 3’s Daily timetable    

8.00  Breakfast Club Opens

8.30 - 8.45  Teams set up

8.45 - 9.15  Library

8.45 - 9.15  Greeting/Registration

9.15 – 10.45 Self choosen activities indoors and out (targeted small group work and individual work)

10.40  Children informally given advanced notice that activities will soon be tidied. 

10.45 – 11.00  Clearing up time (children encouraged to tidy up with staff)10.55  Member of staff to each registration group

11.00 – 11.25   Small group time/fruit/milk (three groups, see rota)

11.25  Children collected for lunch

11.00-11.45  Wednesday – story/singing, whole school

11.00 -11.45  Thursday – story,swap time 

PM  

Activities 12.30 – 12.45               

Registration, as above

12.45 – 2.15  Self-chosen activities indoors and out (group work and targeted small group work and individual work)

2.10  Children informally given advanced notice that activities will soon be tidied up

2.15-2.30 Clearing up time (children encouraged to tidy up with staff)

2.25  Member of staff to each registration group

2.30 -2.55 Small group time

2.55  Children return to registration groups Children collected for after school club

2.30 -3.00  Wednesday – whole school singing

2.30 -3.00  Thursday story-swap time    

The Centre is open from 8am to 6pm. Staff work shifts to cover these hours. Working parents and those at college attend on the days and for the times they need. Other families have a combination of days and times between 9am-3pm.The children have breakfast between 8.15am-8.45pm, mid morning snack at 10am, lunch at 11.30am, afternoon snack at 2pm and tea at 3.45am. The children have the opportunity to have a sleep after lunch.Children have access to indoors and outdoors and a range of activities is set up in both areas. These activities are planned for weekly and follow the Early Year’s Foundation Stage guidance (see question below).       

Q: What is a keyworker and what do they do? 

A: A keyworker is someone, who along with the class teacher supports and plans the learning for your child.  Someone for the parent and child to relate to as well as the transmission from home to school. A keyworker is responsible for a small group of children in a room. They are the person who will come on the home visit before your child starts and will be the person who keeps your child’s records up to date. They will be the person who will have the most to do with your child and to whom you will tend to talk to about your child (although all the staff work with all the children).They are also responsible for carrying out any therapy programmes and will attend any meetings with you in the Centre about your child. They will also write reports about your child for progress meetings and contribute to other reports such as the Statement of Special Educational Needs if appropriate.  

Q: What is the Early Year’s Foundation Stage? 

A: The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the Statutory Framework for Development and Learning for children from birth to five and should be in place in all Early Years settings by September 2008. In line with the EYFS we at South Acton Children’s Centre recognise that each child is unique and our provision aims to meet the individual needs, interests and learning styles of all children at the Centre.  We place great emphasis on developing positive relationships between children, parents/carers, practitioners, other professionals and the wider community.  We aim to provide stimulating and inviting environments in which children can play and develop, enabling them to reach their full potential.  We use the EYFS guidance to help us provide for all aspects of the children’s learning and development. Equal value is given to the six areas within the Learning and Development programme which are: ·Personal, Social and Emotional · Communication, Language and Literacy·Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy·  Knowledge and Understanding of the World· Physical Development· Creative Development  

Q: Who do I complain to?

A: The Centre has a complaints procedure which you can ask to see at reception and also a complaints post box situated to the left of reception, near the visitors toilet.  We welcome your comments and appreciate feedback about any issues in the Centre.

Q: What are the terms dates and centre closures for 2010-11. 

A: See attached term timetable