All Early Years settings & Childminders: General Issues
2,953 topics in this forum
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Publicity
by Guest terrydoo73- 5 replies
- 1.1k views
We are a small playgroup just set up in January of this year and have no government funding. To be entitled to funding we have to have children ready for their preschool year so we did that in September - had 8 in total although 2 have now left us as they didn't want to wait until the next meeting in December and preferred to have their free place like yesterday. We doubt if it will be given to us in December for the children presently attending in their preschool year so are trying to focus our efforts on September next year. At present we have 2 full time pre-preschoolers and 2 part-time prepreschoolers with another 2 due to start when they have been toilet trained c…
Last reply by AnonyMouse_73, -
Writing Area
by Guest terrydoo73- 13 replies
- 2.3k views
Our writing area is right next to the arts and crafts area but on a separate table if you understand what I mean so the children can access writing paper or card. There is also a small note block of paper on the actual desk with a desk tidy - little caddy for different pens etc to stay in. I have until now put in some ordinary pens in different colours, shapes and sizes as well as some felt tips. There are also calculators, rubbers, rulers, clipboards, bull dog clips etc. Is this enough? Should we have more or less? We are noticing quite a number of children sitting at this table and doing mark making as I would say. They then take them home at the end of the day.
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- 5 replies
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Have a child who comes to us two full days a week, but mum has now enrolled the child into a gym club on one of those days. Her friend comes to collect the child and whisks him away to the club for a couple of hours, before returning him to us. This is quite disruptive, as you can imagine, but....................... do I still charge the parents for the full day, or just the hours actually attended ( he's not on FE yet)? My gut instinct says to charge as usual, ie, for the full day, but I want to be prepared for any 'discussion' that might ensue from this. Of course, I will tell mum that it means another child can't have the space; we have to be back by a particular time …
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Hi We are thinking about having professional photographers in to take pics of the children for parents to buy. But I heard somewhere that a company will come out and record a video of each child as if they were with dinosaurs for example. I just can't remember what they company was called or who told me about it! Anyone ever heard of anything like this? or have I just gone completely mad! Thanks
Last reply by AnonyMouse_35577, -
Your Unique Selling Point?
by Guest terrydoo73- 1 follower
- 12 replies
- 6.7k views
What would you say your Playgroup/Nursery/childminding business' unique selling point ie if you were trying to sell yourself to someone what would you say is unique about you or your service? I am trying to work on advertising for our Playgroup to attract children for next September and I need to desperately coerce people to use us as opposed to other local Playgroups offering free government places. So far I have only come up with 2 possible advantages: First the smaller ratio of children allowed in to the premises and the staff to children ratio which presently stands at 12 children in total with a 3 to 1 adult to children ratio. Secondly we have an outdoor…
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- 17 replies
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We are a small rural pre-school in an isolated part of Cornwall. We serve the surrounding communities and hamlets and need to move into a bigger room. We are currently fund raising to move into an Elliott hut. We have applied for the Natwest community force project and the winning project from our area which is south west Cornwall is awarded £6000 We need people to vote for us, we have been supported by our parents but need way more votes to even be in with a chance. We are a charity and not a business and feel we are a great asset to our village. If the amazing people on here were to support us it would be fabulous. You need to go to this link http://communityforc…
Last reply by AnonyMouse_14268, -
- 5 replies
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hi, just wondering whether anyone has any experience of childminding on non domestic premises i.e a church hall? Is it the same as childminding on domestic premises in terms of ratio etc?
Last reply by AnonyMouse_26197, -
How Do You Respond To Withdrawal Of Children From A Playgroup?
by Guest terrydoo73- 5 replies
- 2.5k views
Yesterday we received 2 letters from parents pulling their children out of our Playgroup. There was no reason given just a thank you for the time their child has been with us and asking that any photos or information we have to be either posted or destroyed. We have heard on the grapevine that they have gone to another playgroup but are not sure whether it is because they have got a free place ie government paid or if there is something we are not doing correctly. My dilemma is this - should I contact the parents and ask them outright whether they had some problem with us or whether they just went because of this "free" offer or should I just acknowledge the lett…
Last reply by AnonyMouse_64, -
Coffee Evening Fundraiser
by Guest terrydoo73- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
Under a bit of pressure from parents about fundraising (see other post). A couple of parents have dug their heels in over a planned fundraiser while another couple have been pushing for it to happen. Needless to say I am in the middle as usual! Here is the plan ... We are planning to print a Recipe Booklet made up of traybakes, breads etc contributions from the parents and friends - no problem with this. We will sell them at £3 each and give each of our 12 parents 5 to sell making £180 with probably about £100 profit (hopefully!). Our objectional parents agreed to this OK. The second phase was to have a launch night or coffee evening with admission fee of £2.…
Last reply by AnonyMouse_3735, -
Glueing Area
by Guest- 1 follower
- 8 replies
- 2.1k views
Hi Im an NQT with a boy-heavy class. I've had some feedback that my gluing area could be better, and Im wondering what kind of stuff others have in theirs and what you do to entice children in. We have; feathers, wool, tissue, sequins, paper, those polysterine things from packaging, recycled boxes to use etc. I think one of the issues is that the recycled packaging is stored under the work top, and although they're in a clear unit and can be seen, children have to go in to get them out. Putting the boxes out onto the gluing table might be better. Grateful for any tips. Thanks RG
Last reply by AnonyMouse_1195,
