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Little Acorns Playschool, Kilmuckridge
This is a Community Playgroup based in Kilmuckridge Community & Family Resource Centre
Opening times are 9.00 a.m. - 12. 00 p.m. Monday to Friday
We currently have 10 children attending our Playschool (correct as of Dec 2010)
This Playschool runs for 38 weeks of the year (during school term times)
Applications are accepted at any time of the year for the following September
(Application forms will be available to download from here shortly)
Children can attend from age of 2years 9months
Kilmuckridge Play School provides a warm safe environment where children come together and learn through play
THE AIMS OF LITTLE ACORNS PLAYSCHOOL ARE:
- To develop the child as an individual
- To provide an environment rich in opportunity for the child
- To enable the child by themselves to learn through exploration and discovery
- The child will learn:
- To converse and mix with other children
- To be happy away from the parent
- To develop vocabulary from an early age
- To learn the beginning of self-discipline
- To share, to "wait his/her turn" and accept the idea of "yours" and "mine"
- To express themselves in paint, words, movement, new skills of hand, mind and body
- To gain confidence of another adult outside home
COMING TO SCHOOL
- Name on your child's coat
- Name on your child's lunch bag/case
- Please put lunch in a plastic seal bag with name on as these are put in the fridge until lunchtime.
- We keep a healthy eating policy so a sandwich, cracker, drink yoghurt/or fruit is fine.
- We do not allow crisps, bars or sweets.
No toys brought to playschool.
We ask parents to leave toys in the car or at home so as to avoid them being mislaid or cause conflict with other children.
Appropriate clothing
Comfortable clothing is required as the children are taking part in lots of activities ie exercise and messy play sand pit /water, painting, outdoor activities etc.
We encourage this so old clothes are best.
A change of clothes to be left in the playschool in a bag with your child's name on it in case of any mishaps.
Open door policy
We like to have an open door policy for parents to call any time.
If you want to talk about your child or any concerns, contact us and make an appointment after 12.30 to ensure a quality service for your child during morning session.
THE VALUE OF PLAY
All the skills children need to develop into functioning, productive adults originate from play. Playing in a group gives children a chance to face problems, to think them through and to learn how to solve them. Play gives children an opportunity to learn to give and take, to share and to get along with others.
Additionally, play enables children to deal with stress and to cope with fears they can't yet understand or express. Play gives them a necessary emotional release and helps them make sense of everything.
PREPARING CHILDREN FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
The children prepare for school while still learning through play. Each of the children's developmental skills are encouraged. These skills include physical, intellectual, language and emotional and social and spiritual skills.
The last term of the year we introduce some educational aspects for playschool in order to prepare the children cognitively and academically for Primary School and also for the new experiences they will encounter.
Through Play A Child Should:-
- Develop control of large muscle movements - jumping, lifting, running etc.
- Develop control of fine muscle movements, fingers getting ready for writing.
- Become more observant in the five senses - sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.
- Develop imagination through story telling and imaginative play.
- Gain emotional growth by leaving the immediate family circle and by role-play in a playgroup.
- Become socially integrated with other children, learning to share and care.
- Become physically independent - through learning to put on coat, shoes, go to toilet, wash hands, pour drinks etc.
Play is the foundation of all growth.
REMEMBER CHILD SAFETY FIRST :
Health and Safety
In this playschool we will take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of each individual in the service. To achieve this we will establish and maintain safe working procedures amongst staff and children, and ensure that everyone is aware of these procedures. We will ensure all articles are handled, stored and transported safely. We will ensure that all staff has access to training in first aid. We will comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.
Fire Safety
- The service has all the relevant fire safety equipment, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and fire blankets, all this equipment is checked annually by a professional.
- A fire drill is carried out with staff and children each month.
- The children will be shown how to get out of the building in the event of a fire/ if they hear the fire alarm.
- A record will be kept of all fire drills carried out.
Staff Training :
- FETAC Level 5
- Child Protection
- First Aid
- IPPA
- Health & Safety
- Importance of Play in early childhood
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TIPS FOR A CHILD SAFE SUMMER
Don't leave your child unattended -
- On the street
- At the shops
- In the evening time or any time
Be vigilant at the beach
- Never let your child out of sight
- Stay near - you never know when they will need you - especially in or at the waters edge.
While the sun is shinning remember-
- To play and have lots of fun
- Use high factor sun creams
- Don't let your child get burnt
Remember this is a busy time of year-
- Don't let your child hitch lifts
- When going out at night make sure you leave your child in the care of a responsible adult or minder
- Leave a phone number of where you will be
- Keep reminding your child not to go with strangers
AFTERSCHOOL SERVICES
Little Acorns also offers aftershcool services this year.
Starting September 2010 our services here have been increased to run from 1.40pm to 5.00pm.
We currently have 43 children attending the After School Services. (correct as of Dec 2010)
Because we have availed of the Goverment Community Subvention Scheme our fees have been kept to a minimum. Places still available for Fridays only.