FAQs

What areas do you cover for before and after-school care?

We can provide wraparound (before and after-school) care for Kingswood Primary School and Little Acorns PreSchool.

What is a typical day?

This is your child's normal daily routine, routines are flexible though and will change depending on the time of year (holiday week routines are quite different) and depending on each child's individual needs...

• On arrival – my coat, shoes and bag go by the front door, I say ‘good morning’ to my friends and ‘good bye’ to mummy or daddy or carer. They have a quick catch up with Natalie about what I have been doing at home while I come in and play.

• Before school – I have some breakfast if I haven’t already eaten at home. I play with my friends.

• School run – most days I walk to the school to drop off older friends. I learn a lot on the school run - we talk about the weather and seasons, spot letters, numbers, changes in nature etc.

• Morning – We sit together and talk about what we are going to do during the morning. I have some free play time and choose what I want to play with. We sometimes do action songs or dancing. Sometimes I go on outings in the local area or further afield and other times I play in the house and garden.

• During the morning – I have lots of time to play my own self-chosen games and I am involved in short focused activities that help me to learn through play. Together, we might find out about something that is interesting me or learn about world festivals and celebrations and we always make time to read, sing and dance, do some mark making, learn about maths, role play, build with blocks or Lego etc. There are plenty of opportunities to create and explore nature etc… this is called our continuous provision – the toys and games that are always available. This continuous provision is enhanced depending on my current interests and learning styles. Outings might include, for example - Toddler and baby groups, Trips to the park, Walks in the field and mini beast hunts, Visiting the Library, Shopping for ingredients for lunch or cooking activities.

• Snack time – whether I am in the house or on an outing, I usually have a small snack during the morning. Snack is always healthy and includes fruit. During snack I always sit down to eat and have some quiet time.

• Lunchtime – I wash my hands and we all eat together at the table. When I am old enough I help prepare meals, set and clear the table. During lunch we talk about what we have done in the morning and what we are going to do later.

• Afternoon – I chat about the different activities that are available and I choose where I want to play. This is time for me to play with Natalie and my friends, supporting my language or behaviour, for example and popping in some learning as we play. We may do messy play, arts and crafts, mark marking, exploring nature, being creative, singing and dancing, role play or dressing up, shapes and colours, musical instruments, sand and water play, parachute games, and any more trips or outings.

• Sleep or rest time – if I need a sleep, I lie down in the house or garden (depending on weather and preference) and have a little snooze. This can be anytime during the day depending on when I need it.

• One-to-one focus time – I have a one-to-one session to play games of my choice or join in with planned / focused activities to support and challenge my learning.

• Reading time – before the school run I help to tidy up and then I sit with my friends to read some books. I choose a book – and so do all my friends – so we listen to different books every day as well as my favourites. I learn to sit and listen and sometimes I enjoy joining in with storytelling.

• School run – most days I go to collect older friends from school. We play games or sing on the way there and listen to the older children’s stories on the way back.

• After school – I can then have more free play time and choose what I want to play and usually join in with my friends in the house or garden. Older children can read their school books or do homework. The time flies before tea!

• Tea time – At tea time I sit with everyone at the table. I am encouraged to join in with games at the table and we all chat about our days. We talk about group issues when we are all sitting together as well.

• TV and home time – after tea I sit with my friends and watch TV until my parents arrive – or I can get a book and sit and read quietly with a friend. Natalie has a quick catch up with my parent or carer at the door and gives them my contact book to say what I have been doing all day, while I put on my shoes and coat and then I say ‘goodbye’ and leave.

• Evening – Natalie updates any photos, assessments and observations onto Tapestry to reflect on what I can do and so my parents or carer can see my learning journey and progress. There are often ideas for me to continue my learning at home too. Natalie then sets up for the next day, thinking about what I have enjoyed doing and what I might like to play with during my next session.

Do you provide meals?

All meals and snacks are provided within the hourly rate at no additional cost.

Breakfast is served from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. so if the child is attending then breakfast will be supplied.

Lunch is served depending on the individual needs of the child to fit around naps etc.

Dinner is served at 5 p.m. so if the child is attending after 5 p.m. then dinner will be provided.

Snacks are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

All food that is served is in accordance with our Healthy Eating policy.

What are your rates?

With effect from 1st January 2020, our Childminding rate is £7.50 per hour.

A discount is offered for siblings.

Weekend and evening babysitting is £12 per hour which includes multiple children in the same family, hours after midnight and all transport costs.

How do you record my child's development and progress?

The online learning journal Tapestry is used for all children 0-5 years old. Tapestry is about capturing the magic of a child's early years experience. This allows activities and observations to be recorded and linked in the Early Years Foundation Stages, parents and carers are provided with a personalised secure logon to access their child's information and see their developmental stages and milestones tracked. Parents are also supplied with a termly report for their child.