Play House Playgroup Information

The Romany
22a Lyford Road
London
SW18 3LG

Telephone: 07790 165720
(Monday to Friday, 9.00 - 12.30, Term Time, but leave a message and we will get back to you).

Age

We offer places at Playgroup once the child had reached 18 months, however we only allow a child to be left unaccompanied once they are two years of age. In order to meet the ratios of adults to children, required by OFSTED, a maximum of 8 children may be left unaccompanied during the session. This is done on a first come first served basis. Younger siblings may also attend the session, although they are strictly the responsibility of the parent or carer. The number of session a week that you are offered is dependent on availability. Younger siblings need to be on the waiting list if they want a place when they turn 18 months. A maximum of 26 children are allowed at any one time.

Opening times and dates

Playhouse Playgroup is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am until 12.00 midday . Term dates are displayed on the website, or at Playgroup.

Parents are asked not to leave children before 9.30 am and to collect their children promptly as under the terms of our registration, we have no liability outside these times.

All children, including siblings, must be signed in on arrival, and signed out at the end, marking in red pen if you are leaving your child, or blue if you are staying.

Clothing

Some of the activities are messy, so we suggest you child wears washable practical clothes. Aprons are provided but are not fully protective. In the colder months please make sure you leave warm coats, or rainproofs.

Settling in

Some children settle quickly, others take longer until they are happy to be left without their parents of carer. You are welcome to stay as often a you like until you feel comfortable to leave. Our experienced staff will always help and advise you.

Rota

To meet our statutory requirements, four adults are needed every day to be responsible for the children attending to ensure safety. We are registered to take up to 26 children but are only funded to employ 2 members of staff, this means we rely on 2 parents and carers to perform rota duties to maintain the supervision required under the terms of our registration. Your childs place in Playgroup is conditional upon your participation on Rota .

We will ask you to help out one morning every half tern to the number of mornings your child attends playgroup. Your ‘rota’ duty involves arriving as close to 9am as possible, to help set up, watch out for the children attending, prepare fruit and water for circle time, read at story time, and help to clear away at the end. It can be fun and is a great way to get to know the people at playgroup. We can not operate without your involvement.

If you can not do your day, allocated on the rota sheet, then please swap with another parent/ carer, or pay £10 for Playgroup to arrange a replacement.

If you bring a younger sibling or are heavily pregnant, please inform playgroup, and we will take you off rota duties.

Allergies and Illness

• If your child has an infectious disease, e.g. measles, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis…please let playgroup know.
• If your child has any allergies, please note this on your record form.
• If your child is unwell due to sickness or diarrhoea, please do not let them attend playgroup until symptoms have stopped for 24 hours.
• Please let us know if your child has any existing injuries, including cuts and bruises.

Food and Drink

Children are offered water, fruit and a biscuit during circle time each day. Cooking is also offered twice a week and the children take home the products of their efforts. Please do inform staf if they are not allowed to eat certain things.

Toys and Sweets

Please do not allow your child to bring in sweets to Playgroup as this causes arguments. We do not encourage toys to be brought in to playgroup as they often get mislaid or broken which can cause great upset to your child, however we do understand that they may wish to bring in a small comfort toy, but it is the responsibility of the parents/ carers.

Birthdays

If you would like to celebrate your childs birthday at Playgroup, you are welcome to bring in a cake for all the children to enjoy at circle time.

Multi-cultural Activities

The staff would very much welcome ideas and practical assistance with mulit-cultural activities. If you can help, for example, by showing the children how festivals are celebrated or how fod is prepared in different cultures, please tell the playgroup staff.

Record Form

It is essential that you fill in a record form for your child. These forms hold important information, including your doctors name and contact details in case of an emergency if you are unavailable. Details of allergies and immunisations need to be recorded on the card.

Parental feedback

Playhouse playgroup is run for parents by parents and we welcome and encourage your suggestions and feedback. Parents are welcome to stay with their children and enjoy their childrens play whilst getting to know other parents, staff and committee.

The playgroup leaders are available to discuss any isues at the end of the daily session Additionally we provide opportunities to talk to parents during the regular parties, special events, day trips, and fundraising events.

Fundraising Events and Other Activties

Every term additional activities are organised. This includes a summer day trip to Horton farm, a Fundraising Barbecue, A Sponsored Toddle, A Christmas Bazaar and a Christmas Party, plus various social evenings for the parents. They are great fun, and we rely on parental involvement to make this a success. We will keep the website updated with all new fundraising events and dates.

Fees

Our current fees are £7.50 per session, per child. You are asked to pay a terms fees in advance. If you decide at the last minute not to take up your place, fees will only be refunded from the time that we can fill the place reserved for your child.

Contracts

All parents are asked to sign a contract at the beginning of the term in which their child begins playgroup. The contract is between Playhouse Playgroup and the parents/ carers, and is designed to enhance the smooth running of the Playgroup b making sure that commitments from both sides are followed.

Staff

We have two long term members of staff, and additionally students join in as integral parts of their training

This is your playgroup. If there are any questions we haven’t answered, please do not hesitate to ask the play leaders or a committee member.

We hope that you and your child enjoy your time with us.