Scamps logo

SCAMPS are a charitable organisation running a pre-school service for children from the age of 2 years 9 months to 5 years.

We operate Monday to Friday between 8.50am and 12 noon and Monday to Thursday between 13:00 and 15:30 with lunchtime cover between 12:00 Noon and 13:00.

During the Summer term a further session (on Friday afternoons) will focus on the older c hildren going up to school in the following September.

The group was formed in January 1970 and now operates at Spetisbury Primary School where we enjoy the excellent facilities and beautiful grounds.

Scamps are run by a committee of parents, elected at the ASM each year. We are registered with the Social Services as a day care provider no. 02/1279/2. The sessions are organised by qualified, caring staff with the help of parents on rota duty. We were extremely pleased with our last Ofsted inspection which was in July 06, where we scored 'Good' in all categories and received no action points.

Committee meetings are very informal and open to everyone. It is very important that we have the views and suggestions of all parents so do please come along. Details of meetings and minutes are posted on the board in the week following each meeting.

Our income from fees only covers a proportion of the cost of running the group. In order to keep the pre-school running we also need to run various fundraising activities throughout the year. Please try to offer your time and energy whenever you can - both the staff and the committee really does appreciate it, and it can be great fun if everyone is prepared to help.

Pre-School Aims

Our aim as a pre-school is to provide the children with opportunities for Seaming through play and social interaction, building an early understanding of different skills. We use The Early Years Foundation Stage which covers different elements of the child's learning. Our aims fall into six broad areas:

1. PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Focuses on children learning how to work, play and co-operate with others and interact in a group other than their family.

2. COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
This area focuses on children developing skills in communication and listening. We also provide activities for mark making and recording information

3. PROBLEM SOLVING, REASONING AND NUMERACY
We start at the basics which includes numbers, shape and size and we gradually extend activities to the individual's ability to understand different concepts

4. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Looks at how children develop knowledge and understanding of their environment. We look at the features of the environment and also look at different cultures from around the world.

5. PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
We aim to assist the children when developing different skills including physical control, mobility (different ways of moving around), awareness of space, manipulative skills (ability to handle a range of objects) both indoors and outdoors.

6. CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Focuses on how a child's imagination develops and their ability to communicate and express their ideas and feeling in creative ways.

We operate a Key worker System where a member of staff is allocated to your child and will take particular interest in his or her well being and monitor their progress. The aim of this system is to ensure that the needs of each child are recognised within the group and individual play plans are devised jointly with parents to meet those needs. Confidential records, only available to parents, will be maintained to assist in this process. These records will be handed to parents when a child leaves Pre-School. If you have any concerns about your child please try to talk to a member of staff at the end of the morning session rather than at the beginning as they will have more time to give to you then. You may also use this time to look at the displays of the children's work on the walls, and get to know the other parents too.
Daily Routine

Morning Sessions (Monday - Friday)

09:00 am Registration which will consist of name recognition, counting and recognising numbers and children are given the chance to bring things in to show and tell.

09.30 am Free Play - This is where table top toys, floor toys and a role play area will be provided. Also there will always be a creative activity on offer. The sessions are planned however the children know that they have a choice in what they play with and the plans are used as a guide.

10.15 am The children go into the book corner for some songs or rhymes and then we do toileting and hand washing ready for snack.

10.30 am Snack time is where they find their names to sit down and are provided with a range of snacks over the sessions encouraging healthy eating. The children are encouraged to pour their own drinks (milk or water) and take their own snack.

11.00 am Physical play: Bats and balls, hoops, balancing, tricycles and games will take place outside if weather is permitting. We also have the use of the hall where we do P.E sessions.

11.30 am Children go into the book corner to have a story and song time.

11:45 am Children going home start to collect their coats and are encouraged to check their drawers then sit at the tables

12.00 pm Morning session ends and children who are not attending afternoon session are collected by their carer.

Lunchtime 12.00 - 13.00


Afternoon Sessions (Monday - Thursday)

13.00 pm Registration-Recognising names numbers and counting, show and tell.

13.30 pm Free Play - This is where table top toys, floor toys and 0 role play area will be provided. Also there will always be a creative activity on offer. The sessions are planned however the children know that they have a choice in what they play with and the plans are used as a guide.

14:15 pm Physical play - Bats and Balls, Hoops, Balancing, Tricycles and games. This will take place outside if weather is permitting.

14.40 pm Toilet and hand washing. Mid afternoon drink and snack.

15.00 pm Songs, Music and Nursery Rhymes

15.15 pm Children collect coats and bags and check drawers

15.30 pm Children to go home.

Please Note.

  • Doors open at 8.50 and session starts at 9.00 a.m. At the end of the day, you may collect your child at any time from 3.15 to 3.30. Scamps will only be able to offer the facility of Lunchtime cover and afternoon sessions if there is sufficient demand for it.
  • Those children staying for lunch. Parents / carers must provide a lunch box for them; Scamps do not provide this facility.
  • You are encouraged to settle your child before leaving them. Staff will always be available to assist with this.

THE SCAMPS PRE SCHOOL LETTERS THAT MATTER TO US

  • Social skills are important for a child as they learn how to mix with other children and share
  • Care and concern for people and the environment
  • Allergies are a common occurrence for many children and we will ensure awareness of this and do all in our powers to protect the children
  • Multicultural is what our setting believe in and we try to ensure children understand and value the cultures and beliefs of others
  • Partnership with parents / carers is of great importance to us and gives us the insight into your child's development
  • Special educational needs means that some children need additional support for their needs and we feel we operate an inclusive setting treating all children equally
  • Physical education is an important part of children's lives and we ensure we offer different ranges of physical activities. We have an outdoor play area and use of the school hall when it is wet.
  • Respect for others is something we expect the children to learn through modelling from staff and having rules within the setting
  • Equal opportunities are where each child has their own rights and are treated as individuals within the setting and are listened to
  • Starting school is the next step for children and our aims are to provide them with some skills they may need within the school environment
  • Child Development is something key workers observe and build upon to ensure your child is reaching their full potential
  • Happy children are of the utmost importance to us as this is the best way to Learn when they are happy
  • Outdoor activities and understanding of the environment is something we promote within the setting
  • Opportunities are given to the children to look at different aspects of learning covering the six main elements of the Foundation stage
  • Language is used in different ways and we try to ensure that children can communicate using different methods which could include signing, flashcards, verbal and other methods


Admissions

Children are encouraged to attend for one or two sessions a week initially and to increase the number of sessions when they are fully settled in (as places allow). When your child starts pre-school, you will be given an admission form to complete. If the information on this changes please let us know. (NB It is vital that we have up to date emergency contact numbers).

Although we have close links with Spetisbury School your child will not automatically be registered for the school through pre-school. Parents are advised to register their child at the school of their choice during their first year at Scamps.

SCAMPS sessions begin at 9.00am and 1.00pm and end at 12 noon and 3.30pm respectively. Prompt arrival is greatly appreciated and gets the children into a good habit ready for school.

Do visit SCAMPS with your child before he/she begins. You are asked to come at an arranged time on your first day.

Children should wear old clothes although aprons are used for messy play and all of our paint and glue is washable. You are welcome to stay for as many sessions as you need to settle your child and do continue coming at 10.00 am for a while if you feel the whole session is too long initially. Some children settle quickly, others take much longer. Don't worry if it takes your child longer than some. Discuss with the play leader whether there is any way in which she can help.

Try to discourage your child from bringing his own toys, as they can get lost or cause arguments.

Do say goodbye to your child when you leave and tell the play leader you are going so she can keep an eye on him and help with distraction or a cuddle if necessary. Make sure you collect your child on time. If someone else is collecting your child, please tell the play leader and also make a note in the 'collection register'.

Scamps School Wear

Scamps are pleased to offer you the opportunity of purchasing T Shirts and Sweatshirts in the distinctive pre-school red with Scamps logo. We also have book bags on sale. Should you have any queries or wish to purchase any of the above please do not hesitate to ask G member of staff.

Normally available from stock and some recycled stock available at a reduced price, don't delay, order yours today!

Parent Rota

As a community run pre-school we try to keep costs down by enlisting the help of parent helpers. We have a volunteer regular helper for each session plus one parent/carer on "Rota duty". A list of your rota days will be issued to you and also posted on the notice board at the beginning of each half term. If you are unable to help on any of your days, please swap with another parent and note the change on the notice-board list. You will not be given rota duties if you are heavily pregnant or have a new baby.

The rota is an important part of running a community pre-school. If rota duties are not covered the ratio of adults to children will be too low to run the session. In circumstances where it is not possible for a parent to carry out regular duties (e.g. due to work commitments), an arrangement can be made with the committee by which you can help with fundraising and washing and mending of equipment.

Other Ways to Help

Apart from the rota and fundraising we also need help with regular jobs each term.

Please speak to the play leader or a committee member if you can help with or provide any of the following:

  • Washing overalls.
  • Tidying cupboards.
  • Making and mending fancy dress costumes, dolls clothes etc.
  • Collage materials - silver paper, wool, pressed flowers, leaves, feathers etc
  • Containers for storage - large ice cream / margarine tubs.
  • Boxes for model making.
  • Supply of eating apples or other fruit.
  • Do you have a special skill or interest that you could bring to playgroup?
  • Do you have any interesting ideas for places that we could visit?
  • Do you know of anyone who could come to visit us?

Toddlers

For Younger siblings, we run a parent and toddler group called Scampies and they are always pleased to see new faces and help them settle in. Please ask for more information if you are interested in attending Scampies,

Policies

Scamps welcome fathers, mothers, other relations and carers from all ethnic religious and social groups with or without disabilities, Children will be offered a place on a first come first served basis, though priority must be given to older children.

Fees

Morning Session 8.50 - 12.00 £7.50
Lunchtime Session 12.00 - 13.00 £3.00
Afternoon Session 12.00 -13.00 £6.25

We also charge a small amount for top up fees during funded morning sessions as they are half an hour longer than the afternoon sessions. Please ask for details. We endeavour to keep our costs down but prices may change slightly from time to time.

For more information do not hesitate to contact us on 01258 452107   

Email: info@scampspreschool.org.uk

 

Registered Charity No: 1023882
Ofsted no: 141113