playgroup
 

 “a special place where we play, learn and grow together”

 


PLAYGROUP IS IN FULL SWING!


If you would like to register your child, please follow the information below.

mmcc playgroup 2021

 

Please get in contact with Fiona (07795361752) if you require any more information.
 
email:office@maxwellmearns.org

 

PLAYGROUP HANDBOOK 
 

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PLAYGROUP ROLL

 
We have 15 places available each day on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
A child may be enrolled for any number of days per week. (We will provide dates when you start)
We have 3 qualified members of staff and 1 church volunteer who helps with our admin. 
Playgroup Hours:      9:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
 

FEES

 
A fee of £9 per Playgroup Session per child will be charged. Fees will be invoiced in advance for a Playgroup Block. A Playgroup Block will be 6 or 7 weeks (for invoicing procedures and Block dates see separate information sheet). Payment must be made within 7 days of receipt of invoice. Failure to pay by this deadline may result in the child’s place being withdrawn and offered to another child on the waiting list.
 

PLAYGROUP AIMS

 
In keeping with the care and character of the Lord Jesus Christ, Maxwell Mearns Castle Church Playgroup seeks to:
  • Provide a safe and stimulating environment for promoting learning through play for children.
  • Provide encouragement in the emotional, social, physical, creative, intellectual and spiritual development of each child.
  • Provide opportunities to welcome the children and their guardians into the fuller community of Maxwell Mearns Castle Church.
  • Equip the children for nursery and provide a firm foundation for future life


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SETTLING POLICY

When your child starts Playgroup it is important that they are given time to settle into their new environment.  On their first day, we recommend that you stay with your child for the full session, you will not be charged for this session. Depending on your child we will then discuss a suitable settling plan. Ideally, a parent, relative or friend can stay with the child until they are familiar with their new surroundings.  At first the adult will leave the child for a short time only and be close at hand; then if the child is settling the time will be extended each day until the child can be left for the whole session. You are most welcome to stay with your child at any time.

 
Every child is an individual and some take longer than others to settle.  The settling procedure is very important and ensures that your child is happy and secure at Playgroup.

ABSENCES

If your child is going to be absent from playgroup for any reason, please let us know by phoning the playgroup by 9.30 a.m.

ARRIVING/COLLECTING YOUR CHILD

An adult must take your child into the playroom, where the staff will take the daily register.

Please take your child to the toilet on the premises before he/she comes into the Playroom.
 
Parents must inform the staff if anyone else is collecting their child.

ACTIVE PLAY

Much of your child’s learning will be through play. The children will be offered a wide range of activities each with an underlying educational purpose.

Play allows children to explore a variety of experiences in a secure environment.
Play provides an enjoyable way of learning, and should be seen as a means of teaching and learning rather than being simply something that children do.

Through activity based learning the brain and body are stimulated and active providing pleasure and enjoyment which in turn motivates children to further their learning by persevering, overcoming difficulties and concentrating for longer periods of time. Learning through play also helps build confidence in themselves and their abilities and allows the child to tackle new experiences in a non-threatening situation. It can provide an escape, relieve boredom, allow for relaxation, and the opportunity for solitude.

Activity based learning helps the child to judge the many variables within social interaction and develop perceptions about other people. Skills can be practised and repeated as many times as is necessary for confidence and mastery.


Opportunity for sensory experiences which are the foundation of intellectual development is provided. Play creates context for language development.

Experiences are planned taking into account previous learning, and are extended to accommodate the needs of individual children. Staff will intervene where appropriate to enhance this learning experience. Playgroup staff will observe, monitor and evaluate each child’s learning and this information will contribute towards future planning. We encourage the children to experience a wide range of activities and this will included the celebrations of Christmas, Easter and Harvest Thanksgiving.

In our Playgroup, active learning is seen as an appropriate way for children to develop vital skills and knowledge and a positive attitude to learning and life!


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SUITABLE CLOTHING

 Please dress your child in comfortable clothing for play at Playgroup. Some children and parents become distressed when good clothes get messy, so please bear this in mind when dressing your child.

Soft shoes/slippers are required for indoor play, but please leave coats, outdoor shoes etc, on the coat rack in case we go outside. We have a policy that whenever possible, staff will take the children outside. Please make sure your child brings adequate clothing for all weather.
 

Footwear should be easy to get on and off. Please make sure that all children’s shoes and jackets are clearly labeled. Please also dress your child in such a way that it is easy for them to go to the toilet themselves (no complicated fastenings please). If your child is not toilet trained, please provide pull-ups or nappies, wipes and nappy sacks and leave them on your child’s peg. Please leave a change of clothing for little ‘accidents’ during painting, wet play or toileting.

SNACKS


Using a small proportion of the fees, we aim to provide a snack with a drink each morning. We have a healthy eating policy. Sometimes we shall include foods which are unfamiliar to the children. If your child has any food intolerances or allergies, please inform staff.


PLAYGROUP POLICIES
 
Please feel free to speak with the staff about any of our policies including Child Protection, Equal Opportunities, Admissions, complaints etc. 
 
ADMISSION POLICY
 On request.
 
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

 
We adhere strictly to the Policy for Child Protection adopted by the Church of Scotland. Each staff member has been screened successfully through PVG checks.
 
If you have any child protection concerns, please speak to the Playgroup Coordinator, Fiona Waugh or phone Adam Dillon on 07841673642.
 
SUPPORTING CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS
 
We aim to support children with additional needs. The staff will endeavour to make relevant and appropriate resources available to enable each child opportunity to progress and develop.

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WORKING WITH PARENTS
 
We welcome your presence at playgroup at all times. Please feel free to spend time in the playgroup and become involved with your child’s learning. However, to ensure the smooth running of the session it would be helpful if you could indicate in advance if you plan to spend time in the playgroup. We encourage parents to comment on the running of our playgroup, and hope that you feel you can help us with future planning.
 
PARENTS FEEDBACK
- We love Maxwell Mearns Playgroup! Everyone is so welcoming and caring and the children are all so happy!

- We are delighted with everything and so happy to be able to come here every day.
- Parents are allowed to stay for as long as necessary to settle their child.
- I felt that during the settling phase everyone went out of their way to make both my child and me welcome. No pressure to leave my child and allowed extra days if required to settle.
- They are always the same with happy and smiling faces and a warmth towards the children that you can actually feel.
- My child loves to go - runs in. Asks to go when it's not his day. Loves messy play and outdoor play.


VISITORS TO THE PLAYGROUP
 
From time to time we shall invite visitors to come and talk with the children about their different roles in our community. As a Church Playgroup the minister from Maxwell Mearns Castle Church will visit regularly getting to know the children and them him. Parents and family members are welcome to contribute their skills - please don’t be shy!  We regularly welcome students from Mearns Castle High School to the playgroup as part of their Community Involvement requirements.
 
EMERGENCY CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT
 
Exceptional circumstances may force the Playgroup to be closed (severe weather, power failure etc). We shall notify you as soon as possible with all relevant details.
 
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
 
When you enrol your child you will be asked to provide us with the name, address and telephone number of 2 contacts in case of emergency. It is essential that this information be kept up to date, as we need to contact you should your child become ill while at Playgroup.

 
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MINOR ACCIDENTS AND UPSETS
 
You will be informed on collection of your child, of any minor
Incidents / accidents in which he / she may have been involved. Such rare incidents are also recorded in our accident/incident forms, which you will be required to sign, and you will be given a copy.
 
ILLNESS
 
The Playgroup follows NHS guidelines for the prevention of infectious illness. It is very important parents do not bring sick children to the Playgroup. At this age they are very vulnerable to infection. This is a quote from the Playgroup’s Health and Safety Policy, which can be read in full on request. 
 
• Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have an infection
• Parents are asked to inform the Playgroup of the nature of the infection
 
This allows us to inform other parents if necessary and monitor the other children who might be unwell.
 
If a child has been vomiting or had diarrhoea, parents are asked to keep the child at home for at least 48 hours after the last attack. The following guidelines are minimum periods of exclusion – the doctor in attendance in some cases, may desire longer exclusions.
 
Head Lice Until treated and clear from infection.
Impetigo – 48 hours after starting antibiotic treatment.
Chicken Pox - 10 days from onset of rash.
Measles - 4 days from onset of rash.
Rubella - 4 days from onset of rash.
Mumps - until swelling has subsided, but not less than 7 days from onset of symptoms.
 
INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AND PROCEDURES
 
The National Care Standards state that children must be cared for in an environment that is safe and hygienic, that all play equipment must be kept clean, and that staff must take care to control the spread of infection. We shall follow the procedures set out in the Infection Control Guidance for the pre-school setting document which was issued in December 2004 by NHS Highland. This document can be viewed on request.
 
ADMINISTERING OF MEDICINES
 
Some children may require medication in order that they can continue to attend Playgroup. Parents are kindly requested to note that:

  • A child may only take medication (including non-prescription) if the parent/guardian has given written permission.

  • Only medication which has been labelled with child’s name and instructions can be stored in the Playgroup.

  • Only medication supplied by the parent or guardian will be administered to the child.

  • Children will take medication only when supervised by an adult

  • Parents should deliver the medication to the Playgroup. Medication must be in original packaging with instructions. 

 EXCURSIONS AND CONSENT FORMS
 
On occasion we would like to take children out of Playgroup for walks around the local area to further extend their learning experiences. At the beginning of the session you will be asked to sign a consent form to cover all local visits. For excursions further afield, we will always request your permission prior to the outing. We may take photographs of various activities in the Playgroup. These photographs may be displayed in the Playgroup and may from time to time appear on the Church web site. You will be asked to sign a consent form for this.
 
SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS
 
We are always anxious to maintain and improve our Playgroup. If you have any suggestions to make about the Playgroup please speak with the Playgroup Coordinator in the first instance.
 
Should you feel you wish to raise a complaint concerning Maxwell Mearns Castle Playgroup, these are the steps to take:
 
Speak directly to the Playgroup Coordinator.
 
Should you not be satisfied with her response, please put your complaint in writing to:
 
Rev. Adam Dillon
Interim Moderator
Maxwell Mearns Castle Church
Waterfoot Road
Newton Mearns
G77 5RE
 
If you would like further information on the Playgroup or enquire about availability of places,  contact the Church office or email office@maxwellmearns.org


Other activities for infants during the week see
Toddlers