FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What happens when my child starts at the pre-school?

The first session will be an introductory 1 hour, accompanied by a parent/carer and the second one will be for a hour and half unaccompanied.Depending upon how well your child settles the length of session times will increase until everyone agrees that your child will be  happy to stay for the whole session.

Your child will need to bring a named water bottle every time they attend the pre-school. Only water is required in this bottle (no juices or squashes), in line with our healthy eating policy

 

Please note that if your child starts before they are entitled to funding and you are paying fees for sessions, as we are self-supporting, places must be paid for on the agreed days, even if your child does not attend due to holiday or sickness.

A child who is tense and unhappy will not be able to play and learn properly, so it is important for parents and pre-school staff to work together to help the child feel confident and secure in the setting.  This can take longer for some children than others and you should not feel worried if you child takes a while to settle.
 

We hope you and your child enjoy your time at The Brislington Village Pre-school, if in the meantime you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What is the Nursery Education Grant (NEG)?

Information for 3 and 4 years old

Children are entitled to claim the Nursery Education Grant funding from Bristol City Council from the term after their third birthday. This covers 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year (an academic year).

Some parents depending on eligibility will be entitled to 30 hours per week. (You can check your eligibility at www.gov.uk/30-hours-free- childcare-eligibility).
 

Staff will talk to you about the grant and you will be asked to complete a grant application form each term. In order to claim the grant we will need to see the original of your child’s birth certificate and take a photocopy for our records. The setting will claim for the
grant on your behalf.

Information for 2 years old

If your child starts attending this setting as a 2 year old you can check if you would be entitled to a funded place at www.bristol.gov.uk/free-early-education-for-two-years.
 

Sessions
 

Our sessions run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.00am to 16.30pm and Wednesday 8.00am to 12.00pm.

Where do I find information on what is available locally if I have a child with special educational needs or disability?

All the information you may need for services that are available in the local area can be found by accessing the website-:

www.bristol.gov.uk/bristol-local-offer

This will give you information on organisations that can give advice and support to you and your family, equipment adaptions, social care and many other areas.
 

What time do I need to get there?

Doors open at 8.00am for children attending for breakfast.  Doors close once all the breakfast club children are in and re-open again at 8.30/9.00am. However, if your child will be starting at a different time during the session, please just ring the doorbell located on the right hand door of the main entrance of the hall and a member of staff will let you in.
 

Do I need to bring anything?

We recommend that each child brings a spare change of clothes along with a coat (when required) and a sunhat in the summer. In addition, in summer the children should come with sun cream already on please. If you require us to re-apply sun cream a consent
form will need to be completed.
 

A named water bottle should be provided for the children for them to drink throughout the session

What do I do at drop off?

The staff will log your child on entry.

A member of staff will sign your child in and you can hand over their bag, drinks bottle, packed lunch bag and coat/hat.  Please encourage your child to carry their own belongings in as this will help with their independence.  Children are encouraged to hang their coat on their peg once in the room and place their bags in the appropriate place.

What do I do at collection?

Doors usually open around five minutes before end of session time. Staff will fetch your child and all their belongings and anything they have made and hand them over to you outside the hall/millennium room. A member of staff will sign them out. However, if your child will be finishing at a different time during the session, please just ring the doorbell located on the right hand door of the main entrances of the hall/millennium room and a member of staff will answer and fetch your child with all their belongings.
 

What sort of food will my child eat at snack time?

 

The Brislington Village pre-school encourages healthy eating and the snack provided each day will take account of the children’s choices and could be a piece of fruit, non sugary breakfast cereal, vegetables etc.

Does my child have to attend every session?

If your child is not able to attend due to illness, please notify us by phone/text or via Famly that morning. If your child is ill during a session, we will contact you to ask you to collect them. If your child is going to be absent due to appointment/holidays etc. please just let us know.

What should they wear?

We stock The Brislington Village Pre-school jumpers and t-shirts – please ask a member of staff for details. We do not have a dress code, but in order to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send your child dressed in clothes that are easily washed or old. We also ask that children are dressed in clothes that they can manage themselves, to encourage independence. The children are required to bring suitable clothing for all types of weather, as the children go outside whatever
the weather. In the warmer months we request that children do not wear open-toed sandals.
 

Can I stay for a session?

Once your child has settled into the routine of the setting parent/carers are actively encouraged to come in and see how a session runs. Parents are always welcome to come in and talk to the children about their jobs/hobbies/interests or to read a favourite story etc. Children love having their own parent/carer participating.
 

What is a learning journey?
 

A learning journey is a record of your child’s time with us. They contain photos and observations of your child while at the setting. However, we also like parents to make entries/photos of their child’s achievements at home. We hold three parent’s mornings throughout the year where you can come and discuss your child’s progress with their key worker if you want.
 

What is a key person?
 

Each child is assigned a key person when they start. This is to enable your child to form a bond with a member of staff.  The key person and the team will help your child settle at pre-school and the key person will be responsible for the learning and development of your child.
 

What happens if my child has an accident?
 

Although every area is risk assessed, accidents can happen. These are recorded and reported back to parent/carer via Famly, we would like you to acknowledge this on the App.  If it is a head injury a member of staff will discuss this with you and may give a paper copy of an accident form.  If it is a more serious injury a member of the team will call you or if unavailable the emergency contact to let them know what has happened and if any action needs to be taken.
 

What if I can’t collect my child and somebody else needs to collect them?
 

If you would like someone else to collect your child, please inform a member of staff at the start of the session, or if you find during the morning you will be unable to collect your child, please phone on 07780330203. We will need to know the name of the person
collecting and they will need to know your password. (Staff will ask you for a password when you first join the setting, which will be recorded against your child’s name, which only staff have access to). Unfortunately, if we don’t have this we will not be able to allow the child to leave the premises until we receive permission.  We would also like you to submit a photo of people likely to collect your child, this can be done via Famly or What's App.
 

Do you have policies?
 

The Brislington Village Pre-school has a wide range of policies covering many topics, including safeguarding children, admissions and parental involvement. The policies are on our website and are available on request. If you would like a copy of any of our policies, please ask a member of staff.