Playgroups Inverness Pink Panther Play Group Holm Primary School

Terms and Session Times
Autumn:	Winter:	Spring:
August to December	January to Easter	Easter to Summer Holiday

Sessions (Mon-Fri) 9.15am – 11.45am and 12.30pm – 3.00pm

Pink Panther Playgroup
Room 2B, Holm Primary School
Stratherrick Road, Inverness, IV24YL

Frequently Asked Questions

What should my child wear to playgroup?

Children should dress appropriately for the time of year and always bring a jacket and suitable footwear for playing outside. We use the outdoor play area all year round. If your child comes to Pink Panther wearing wellies, please also bring trainers for them to change into, not slippers.

The most suitable footwear for playgroup is trainers with Velcro fastenings, there is no need for gym shoes. Trainers are practical and provide support and Velcro fastenings offer independence to your child. We do not advise sending your child to playgroup in fashion shoes ( crocs etc)

Children should be encouraged to put on, take off their own jackets and shoes so they can be independent.

It is advisable to send your child in suitable clothing to allow independent toileting – belts, dungarees etc. can prove tricky for children to manage.

As there are many 'messy' activities in the daily routine at playgroup such as painting, glueing, digging outside etc . 'Best' clothes should stay at home.

PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS OF CLOTHING YOUR CHILD MAY REMOVE, E.G. COATS, SHOES, BOOTS, SWEATSHIRTS ETC.

What happens when my child has a birthday?

To ensure that everyone's birthday is celebrated in the same way Playgroup will provide a birthday cake. You do not have to provide anything.

How can I prepare my child for Playgroup?

What if there was an emergency at Playgroup?

It is helpful if children are encouraged at home to be as independent as possible, e.g. can put on and take off jackets, self toileting and self feeding.

You might like to encourage our child to recognise his/her name, to tidy up and to care for toys and games.

SETTLING IN – this is an important stage in the transition between home and the outside world. The group encourages adults to stay with their child as long as is necessary for the child to be reassured that this new place and its people are as safe as home.

Are there opportunities for the children to go on visits?

We believe that taking the children on visits is an important part of their education. Outings are organised throughout the year – parents are informed of these and are asked to accompany their child if at all possible as best practise states a ratio of one adult to two children. You will be asked to sign a consent form to cover all out of school visits.

Should Playgroup need to close earlier that normal you would be contacted by telephone if prior warning has not been given out. We will contact your emergency contact to come if there is no reply.

THE SCHOOL HAS A TELEPHONE MESSAGING SERVICE AND THIS SERVICE ALLOWS PARENTS TO LISTEN TO A RECORDED MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD TEACHER. THIS IS USED TO GIVE OUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND IS ALSO USED DURING ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. TO USE THIS SERVICE:

Dial Highland Council's access number 0870 054 6999
Now enter the schools own pin number when prompter 042230
Press 1 to hear the school's message about adverse weather ie snow

IF HOLM SCHOOL IS CLOSED THEN PINK PANTHER PLAYGROUP WILL BE CLOSED TOO.

What do I do if my child is ill?

Does Pink Panther Playgroup have policies I can read?

If your child is ill, do not bring him/her to the playgroup. Tummy upsets, coughs and sneezes spread very quickly through the group. If your child has an infectious illness please keep him/her away from the group until the infectious period is over.

Sickness/diarrhoea	48 hours after last attack.
Chicken Pox	10 days from onset of rash or when scabs dry.
Measles	4 days from onset of rash.
Rubella	4 days from onset of rash.
Mumps	Until the swelling has subsided but not less than 7 days from onset of symptoms.
Conjunctivitis	Until 3 days of treatment has been completed if there is a lot of pus produced.

If a child has signs or symptoms of illness while in Playgroup , the parent/carer will be called to take the child home. If they are unavailable the child's emergency contact will be telephoned. If your child is going to be absent from Playgroup for 2 days or more please inform either the staff in person or via the school secretary (Holm School phone number 232697).

Pink Panther Playgroup has policies on areas such as behaviour management, Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities. These are available to read in the Playroom. Should you wish and individual copy of any of our policies please ask staff.

Can I come in to Playgroup to see what happens there?

To enhance our high quality provision we encourage parental involvement in a variety of ways – Committee work, helping out in the playroom, fund-raising, helping on outings etc. Should you have any interesting hobbies or hidden talents that you would like to share with the children - please speak to one of the play workers.

Parents / carers are welcome to bring their babies and toddlers along when joining in a play session. They are responsible at all times for the safety of their younger children and should ensure that they are kept free from danger.

Parents/carers are welcome to stay for
a session at any time – the children love
to show off their families.

How can I find out more about the Playgroup?

There is a notice board outside the gate to get in to playgroup with information such as our snack menu for the week and other relevant information. On your way in to the playroom there is another notice board with information such as our learning objectives and observations for the week.

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO LOOK AT THESE.

Each child is allocated an individual key worker while at playgroup - details will be on the white board at the back of the play room.

We produce regular new letters to keep you updated.

Information about a child's progress can be exchanged informally at the end of each day. Please don't hesitate to speak to a play worker if you have a question or concern.

A formal report is issued to parents/carers towards the end of the year (June) with a discussion if necessary.

Personal progress records for each child are kept in Playgroup – parents can see these at any time. Each child has their own portfolio made up of photos, art work, drawings etc.

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