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Cheswick Green Playgroup - Rota

What am I letting myself in for by helping on the 'Rota'?

The quick reference version

• Arrrive normal time and sign in visitor book
• Play
• Sit with children during 'Hello Time'
• Play with children
• Wipe a few noses
• Help tidy away
• Read a few stories
• Wash up
• Play AGAIN!
• Sit with children during storytime
• Join in with some songs
• Leave with your child at normal session time

The much longer more detailed version

• You come in normal session time with your child and sign 'Visitor book'. Your child may well at first play up a bit or become clingy- this is usual.
• Whilst other children and parents are arriving feel free to join in with any of the activities on offer (playdough is always an inviting table and attracts lots of interested children).
• When all the children are present the children will be asked to sit on their 'keygroup' colour mats for 'Hello time'. Please join in.
• Children will then be free to choose activities. Staff are assigned duties on a rota (which is on the staff noticeboard ) but you can join in with any activity you choose. If you prefer you may like to help prepare snack, prepare craft items or check the library system
• If you choose to help with the 'focused activity' e.g. craft or playing a game, there is an activity sheet that informs adults what the point of the activity is and any language that needs to be encouraged.
• At approximately 10.30am we have tidy-up time followed by snack.
• Children are encouraged to help staff and you clear away- they are not allowed in storage areas but can bring equipment to the door.
• After clearing away they then go to 'Quiet Area' and find a book to look at. It would be useful at this stage if you could sit with the children and maybe read a short story or encourage children to look at own choice of book.
• Children are then invited by their 'Keyworker', a group at a time to go to the toilet, wash hands and prepare their table for snack.
• Staff will sit with the children during snack, as this is a great time for lots of conversation and interaction (we may talk about names, colours & shapes on milk mats).
• Staff and children will then clear away and bring cups etc to the hatch.
• You are needed in the kitchen at this time e.g. washing up (green cloth for washing up, tea towels in bottom kitchen drawer) ask a member of staff to show you where everything goes.
• After snack: Weather permitting we take the children out to the play area. This may require helping the children to put on coats/hats etc.
• The children are instructed to hold onto the rope, alternating left hand, right hand along the line. A head count is done and they hold on to the rope until reaching play area gate where they are told to stand still and drop the rope.
• After all children are safely in the play area the gate is secured. Please help to safely supervise the children.
• Approx 11.20am we return to the hall, again after head count and holding the rope. It would be helpful if you could assist returning coats to correct pegs.
• If weather unsuitable for going out a large group or 'keyworker' group activity e.g. parachute, circle games/ songs or 'Topstart' will be organised inside.
• Storytime and songs follow this. Please sit with the children and join in or help staff tidy away any remaining equipment.
• Session finishes at 11.45am and you can be the first to leave- don't forget to sign out!

Just a few things you need to know:

• Children are not allowed unaccompanied to leave the main hall.

• Only staff or adults that have been cleared by OFSTED can take children other than their own to the toilet.

• Children are not allowed in the kitchen or in storage areas.

• Behaviour policy to be adhered to by all adults e.g. no physical punishment.

• Children must wear a hat to play with the sand or an apron to play in the water- this is not only for health & safety reasons but also to limit the number of children at the equipment.

• Scissors are to stay at the drawing area and children are not to walk around with them.

• Children are encouraged to sit at the table during snack time.

• When in the play area, children are not allowed on or near the swings, on the 'coiled' part of the climbing frame or behind the bench.

• Children can help themselves to a drink from the water station whenever they choose.

• Adults can have a cold drink or tea/coffee whenever it is convenient but it must be drunk at the hatch away from children.

• The main door is kept locked at all times and visitors must ring the bell and be met by a member of staff.

  AND FINALLY:

• Please remember confidentiality - whilst helping within group you may see or hear things about children, staff and families, which should remain private, and we ask you to respect this. Obviously should you have any 'child protection' worries or other concerns please speak to Loo (committee chair), Lesley or Rochelle.

I hope this booklet has helped, not put you off completely and that you find your sessions interesting and enjoyable.

We really do need and appreciate your help!
Thanks
Lesley, Rochelle and the team.