FAQ

Parents are always welcome to come in and help during session times. It is good for the children to see their parents taking an active part in their pre-school and gives the parents a chance to see what their child gets up to!

If you think you might like to come in and help please speak to the manager.

When dressing your child for Chatterbox, please remember that we do messy activities – aprons are worn, but accidents do happen! We also encourage children to be independent when they go to the toilet, so please make sure that any clothes may be easily undone and fastened. We play outside every day, even when cold, so please ensure that your child has an appropriate coat and hat if necessary.

We have polo shirts and sweatshirts with the Chatterbox logo available to order at a reasonable price, please speak to a member of staff.

Children may also bring in one toy or cake on their birthday if they wish to do so. After they have shown the toy to the other children, it will be put away until home time for safekeeping.

Parents need to inform staff if their child is absent due to an infectious illness. Information may then be passed on to other parents and staff. If a child is ill during a session, staff will contact parents and ask that the child is collected. It is therefore essential we have a contact name and phone number on your registration form.

If a child has been ill during the night, we ask that they are kept at home the following day as attendance is unfair on other children, the staff and ultimately on the child. Please see our policies and procedures.

Chatterbox Preschool has a written procedure in place for dealing with complaints from parents and/or carers. The Supervisor is happy to discuss any problems that may occur, in confidence.

Alternatively, parents may speak to the Chair of the Committee. The preschool must investigate written complaints relating to their fulfilment of the EYFS requirements and notify complainants of the outcome of the investigation within 28 days of having received the complaint. The record of complaints must be made available to Ofsted.

If for any reason parents are unable to collect their child, please inform staff so we may make a note of who is to collect in your place. We ask that parents be as prompt as possible when collecting the children, to avoid distress. Should a delay be unavoidable, however, please telephone so that staff, and more importantly the child is aware of the situation. The telephone number is 01980 615275.

The lunch club is a valuable social activity where children bring their own packed lunch and sit and eat together. There is a charge of an hourly rate for the extended time and it is entirely up to the parents whether the children stay

We have child-sized toilets to encourage independence and the children are encouraged to take themselves to the toilet whenever they feel the need. We realise that being in a new environment or being totally absorbed in exciting play can lead to accidents! Because of this, we have a stock of spare underwear or clothes. Alternatively, parents may wish to leave a small bag on their child’s peg containing spare clothes from home.

Comforting cuddly toys may be brought into Chatterbox, but other toys are discouraged as they might get lost or broken, which leads to much distress and anguish. On days when Show and Tell is planned children may bring a small toy to show to the other children.

Our policy at Chatterbox is to praise good behaviour and encourage children to follow each other’s right examples. We reward good behaviour with lots of praise, comments to parents and stickers at the end of sessions.

Fitting in with a new group of people, being in a new environment and following a new routine may cause behaviour problems, and these can be solved by the staff with sensitivity and understanding. If a child’s behaviour is unacceptable, or dangerous to themselves or other children, they sit out for a short time and talk about what they have done. Parents may also be informed of unacceptable or dangerous behaviour – parent/staff liaison is essential and it is good for the child to see the staff and parents communicate.

Often a change in circumstances, e.g. recently moving, or parents serving abroad for any period may change a child’s behaviour. Please let us know if something is troubling your child and we are then aware of it in school. Information may be treated as confidential if parents wish.

Learning journals and all records concerning children – developmental and curricular – are kept safe and secure. Access is only allowed to staff and the parents of the child. The Supervisor or child’s key person will be happy to discuss a Child’s progress with parents and share records on request. Staff are available at the beginning and end of every session, to discuss any aspect of the child’s welfare or education. Alternatively, a mutually convenient appointment can be arranged. We also have regular parent’s afternoons.

At Chatterbox we pay particular regard to the SEN Code of Practice. A copy of the document is available upon request from the Supervisor. Through careful monitoring and detailed record-keeping, we aim to notice any problems – physical, mental or behavioural – at an early stage. In consultation with the parents concerned, we would then seek help and advice from the appropriate sources.

Chatterbox has links with several Primary Schools in the local area, especially Netheravon, Rushall and Woodborough Primary Schools. In the term before they are due to go to school, we encourage children to visit their chosen school and similarly we invite the Reception teachers from the schools to meet the children in their own environment. We hope that this will ensure a smooth transition from Preschool into Reception.

For safety and security reasons, when dropping off or collecting the children, please park any cars in the bays marked by the DHE office and not on the road outside the building.