Woodlanders is part of Ashburton Family Services (AFS) which is a registered Charity. Our purpose is to offer high

quality care and education to children from the age of 2 until they move onto school. We operate from the Wood-

land Road Centre in Ashburton, where we own 3 large buildings and extensive outdoor areas. Our facilities are

complimented by a team of highly skilled and qualified staff, all of whom have a great deal of experience in working

with children. Woodlanders is registered with ‘Ofsted’, by whom we have been highly praised and deemed a ‘Good’

setting. To access the latest inspection report please visit http://www.ofsted.gov and search UNR 106282.

Contents

Our Aims and Philosophy

The Staff

The Early Years Foundation Stage

The Key Person

Our Groups

Forest school

Practical Matters

Being Involved

Funding Information and Fees

Additional Literature

Registration forms

Information about the Early Years Founda-

tion Stage

2gether funding leaflet

3/4 year old funding leaflet

Information about local school

Current term dates

Welcome to

Woodlanders

Our Aims and

Philosophy

Our Philosophy

We believe that a warm and caring learning environment plays a vital role in a child's early development.

We understand that it is important to value each child for who they are and to help them foster a sense of

their own unique identity. We realise that it is important to direct as well as encourage a child’s natural

desire to explore and experiment. By offering them stimulating and creative learning opportunities we

help each child to learn about the world and to grow in confidence and social awareness.

Our Aims

- To create a safe, friendly, happy, stimulating atmosphere in which children can develop at their own

pace.

- To give children a sense of confidence, enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning.

- To develop independent and enquiring minds.

- To encourage children to care for, value and respect each other and to develop an understanding of

how to learn and play together.

- To foster children’s language development so that they become confident communicators.

- To work together with the families of the children to enhance their experiences, and with the wider com-

munity as a whole to promote the importance of giving children a good beginning in life.

- To build and sustain good links between Woodlanders Kindergarten and the local primary schools to

help the children transfer to school with confidence and an eagerness to learn.

- To ensure that children learn to celebrate and accept diversity and to ensure that all children feel ac-

cepted for who they are.

The Staff

Clare Chamberlain

Manager

Sharron Humphries

Early Years Teacher

Senco

Deputy manger

Michael Harriott

Finance Officer

Early Years Practitioner

Sally Down

Early Years Practitioner

Room Leader

Naomi Goss

Early Years Practitioner

Room Leader

Anne Laskey

Early Years Practioner

Room Leader

Hannah Wilson

Early Years Practioner

Jane Lewis

Early Years Practitioner

Debbie Hawkins

Early Years practitioner

Hollie Brackenbury

Early Years Practitioner

Foundation Degree Student

Jennie Farrell

Early Years Practitioner

Wendy Astwood

Early Years Practitioner

Kelly Boyle

Early Years Practitioner

Samantha Forwood

Foundation Degree Student

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, is a national statutory document which underpins our policy and practice here at Woodlanders. It is split into 2 parts: The Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements and the Learning and De-velopment Requirements.

The safeguarding and welfare requirements set out the standards to which we have to adhere in terms of safeguarding, staffing, health and safety, and equal opportunities.

The learning and development requirements considers the ways in which children's needs, interests and stages of de-velopment are supported. This element is the one you will become most familiar with as a parent of a child at Woodland-ers.

Throughout their time here, your child’s development will be supported through 7 areas of learning. These are split into prime areas and specific areas. The Prime areas are

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

These prime areas will help form the foundations to develop the specific

areas. These are:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive arts and design

Within each of these areas, your child will be supported through stages of development and understanding. This process starts from birth, until the time when your child enters year 1 at primary school. It is therefore a continual process be-tween Woodlanders and primary school.

There is a booklet included in this pack which gives more information about the EYFS.

The Early Years

Foundation Stage

The Key Person

System

At Woodlanders we operate a key person system which helps to ensure that the children’s individual needs and interests are nurtured and built upon in the best possible way.

Your child’s key person will aim to build a relationship with your child, and get to know their interests. In doing this, they will be able to provide your child with opportunities and experiences which will stimulate their learning and development. The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework is used as a tool to ensure a varied and con-sistent programme which focuses on the seven areas of learning.

Your child’s key person will support your child’s learning through interacting and observing your child in both adult led, and child initiated situations. The key person will build a portfolio of your child’s achievements using observations, photographs and handy work! Each term, your key person will invite you in to have an informal catch up, and discuss the next steps in your child’s learning.

The key person will also ensure that communication between your child, Woodlanders and yourself is maintained; providing continui-ty and stability. This is enhanced by the use of our book bags and home link books which encourage this two way exchange. We hope that you can build up a good relationship with your key per-son and that they can be a reassuring and continuous point of contact.

You will be informed of the person who will take on the role of your child’s key person for the period in which they attend their current group. This member of staff will be intro-

ducing themselves to you as soon as possible. Please feel free to approach your key person at any time.

Our Groups

2 Year Olds (The Willows)

Our Willow group is a small group, which operates from the pottery room.

We aim to provide a relaxed yet stimulating environment, offering the 2 year

olds the opportunity to really explore their surroundings in a safe, warm and

caring setting. We adopt a very child centred approach, and support the chil-

dren in making choices in their play. We always plan a varied session, where

a range of both adult led and child initiated activities are offered. There are

always the same staff in each session, ensuring continuity for both your-

selves and the children. Before your child moves onto the next group, we will

undertake a 2 year check. This is a national requirement, and is designed to

identify your child's positive achievements and identify future steps. We op-

erate a ratio of at least 1:4 in this group.

3 Year Olds (The Elms)

The nearest half term to when your child turns 3 they become part of the

‘Elms’ group. This group is tailored to meet the needs of the children as they

become more independent. The group is still very much focused on play

based learning, which centers around your child's individual interests and

needs. This group becomes a little more structured than the 2 year olds

group, with the activities and opportunities planned reflecting this. Again, we

try to ensure the staff remain consistent, thus helping build the 3 way rela-

tionship between us, yourselves and your child. The ratios in this room in-

crease slightly to 1:6.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM Session 9.15—12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15 – 12.15

PM Session 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM Session 9.15—12.15 9.15—12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15 – 12.15

PM Session

(BRING PACKED

LUNCH)

12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15

The Rising 4 and 4 Year Olds (The Oaks)

Lo-

cal Schools

We work closely with many of the primary schools in the area. We have worked collectively with them to produce a

booklet giving information about what they offer. This leaflet is available on request.

Building Links

In each of the rooms we have a book bag system, a WOW wall, and an ‘All about me’ book. All of these things are de-

signed to share information, achievements and events in your child's life. Each day we will write in your child's home

link book giving a small ‘snippet’ about what your child has enjoyed that day. The idea is that it can maybe trigger

some conversations at home, and give you an insight of what they have been up to. We strongly encourage you to

also write in the home link books. This can be about news, and events —no matter how small. This in turn gives us the

opportunity to talk to your child, and really show them how important they are to us.

The ‘WOW’ system is small slips of paper that you can take at any time. They are used to build up a wall of achieve-

ments in your child's life. This can be anything from eating a new food, to getting dressed, to climbing a mountain!

The ’All about me’ booklet is given to you when your child starts at Woodlanders. In this booklet we ask for photos and

information about family, friends, interests and hobbies. It is a great tool which really helps the children settle in, and

feel secure.

At Woodlanders we really want to get to know your child and support each of their individual needs. All of these things

are about ensuring this aswell as giving the children a real boost of self confidence and self worth. We highly value

your input and hope you can support us in these vital elements.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

AM Session 9.15—12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15 – 12.15 9.15—12.15

PM Session

(BRING PACKED

LUNCH)

12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15 12.15—3.15

Our Groups

The September following your child’s third birthday will be when they will join

‘The Oaks’. The children are encouraged to get more actively involved in their

learning and to make decisions. We also develop their creative and critical

thinking, balancing the need for children to learn about risks and safety, how to

make good choices, and how to stick to boundaries. With school in mind we

work closely with parents to ensure a smooth transition in to School and the

next chapter of their young lives.

Forest School

What is Forest School?

Woodlanders forest school is based within woodland at the River Dart Country park near Ashburton. It is run by forest

school leaders and other qualified staff who are experienced in working with children. Forest school is based on the

ethos of children learning and exploring using their natural environment.

Everything has a very ‘hands on’ approach, where the children are encour-

aged to use tools, investigate the woodland, learn about wildlife, and expe-

rience camp fires. All activities aim to promote independence, self-esteem,

and a real sense of the outdoor world.

Each session starts with a walk down to the site, which takes us through

the woodland. When we arrive at the site, we always begin with a safety

talk which focuses on being safe around the fire, and ensuring that all chil-

dren are aware of the boundary. (This is marked out with barrier tape). We

always plan a focused activity for the session, which is highlighted on the

topic plan that you will receive each half term. We finish the session with a

hot chocolate and a snack around the camp fire. This gives us a great op-

portunity to discuss what we have done, and listen to each other’s experi-

ences.

We warmly welcome all parents to

come along to see the site, and what

the sessions entail. Please speak to a

member of staff to arrange this.

All our operational procedures, risk assessments, policies and procedures are detailed in our handbook. This is available on request.

Transport:

If your child is continuing their day back at Woodlanders, we will provide

transport back at a small cost. If you wish your child to just attend the morning session at forest school, then we ask

you to collect them @12.15

Kit List:

(As the name suggests) all Forest School sessions take place outside in the woodland.

It is therefore essential that the children are kitted out with appropriate gear in order for

them to get the most from their session. A copy of the kit list will be given to you on re-

quest.

Session Times:

Tuesday 9.15 – 12.15

Wednesday 9.15 – 12.15

Thursday 9.15 – 12.15

Practical Matters

Below are all the practical issues concerned with the day to day running of Woodlanders. All aspects relate to more detailed policies and procedures. Copies of all AFS Policies are kept in a file, which is available for parents to read in the reception area of each room. Parents’ comments on these policies are welcomed and the staff will be happy to discuss any concerns. They are reviewed annually .

Safeguarding Ashburton Family Services is committed to safeguarding all children. In order to achieve this, we work to the re-

quirements and procedures of the Devon Local Safeguarding Children Board (DSCB). We follow appropriate

confidentiality and information sharing procedures.

The Safeguarding officers who hold the level 3 safeguarding awareness certificates are:

Clare Chamberlain and Sharron Humphries.

All other staff have carried out level 2 safeguarding awareness training.

Please speak to Clare or Sharron if you would like to discuss any safeguarding matters.

Illness Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have any infection, and to notify the centre as to the nature of the infection so that the staff can inform other parents if necessary.

Parents are asked not to bring into the Centre any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhoea until at least 48 hours have elapsed since the last episode. If your child shows signs of illness during the session, parents/carers will be notified and asked to pick up their child immediately.

First Aid and Emergency Treatment We train all staff in paediatric First Aid , which is updated every 3 years on a rotation basis. We will administer basic treatment to the minor bumps and scrapes that can occur from time to time. Parents / carers are informed of any accidents or incidents. We record them in our accident book which we get the parent to sign when they collect their child. As part of our Childcare agreement, we require parents to give us permission to seek emer-gency medical treatment in case the need arises. In such circumstances we would endeavour to notify parents as quickly as possible.

Medication

The staff cannot administer any medication unless it is dated, labelled, in the original container, and usually pre-scribed by a doctor. Dosage must be legible.

All medications will be given to the person in charge, and a form filled out. Medications will be given as pre-scribed. All medications will be kept out of reach of the children. If your child suffers from Asthma or other health related conditions, a care plan is to be completed. This will give staff permission to administer treatment as and when necessary.

Practical Matters

Security

We operate a very strict security system at Woodlanders, which is detailed in our safety policy. In order for us to keep the children safe at all times, please ensure that you shut all gates on arrival and departure.

Parents are asked to inform the staff when they have arranged for someone different to collect their child and to ensure that they know the appropriate password. This is for your and your child’s protection.

Access to the Centre

Please note that we have a ramped access to the site from Woodland Road making it easily accessible for peo-ple with pushchairs, prams, buggies and wheel chairs.

Smoking The Woodland Road Centre operates a no-smoking policy throughout the entire site.

Snack Bar and Lunch Boxes

A healthy snack and drink is available for the children throughout the session. The children are free to choose when they would like their snack, and encouraged to select and clear away afterwards.

‘Lunch Time’ Sessions Children who are here over the lunch hour will need to bring with them a nutritional lunch. This lunch needs to be brought in a suitable lunch box, which is clearly labelled with the child’s name. If there are items that need to be kept cool please include a frozen ice block in the lunch box. Fizzy drinks and sweets should not be included in this lunch. Promoting healthy eating forms a key part of our ethos at Woodlanders. Please reflect this in the con-tents of your child’s lunchbox.

What clothes should my child wear?

Please dress your child in clothes that are comfortable, and are easily washed! We like to play outside, even when it’s drizzling, so please supply your child with wet weather gear and warm jumpers in winter, sun hats in the summer.

Names in jumpers and coats would be great! We have a range of Woodlanders jumpers, T shirts and fleece jack-ets available for purchase.

Taking a nap We always allow for quiet times during the sessions and each room has a lovely ’cosy, quiet area. For children who need to sleep or just relax for a while we will always provide opportunities for this to happen. Your child is wel-come to bring in any comforters, but please ensure staff are aware, so they can be kept safe. We do encourage parents to have a ‘back up ‘just in case!

Children going to the Toilet

When your child starts toilet training, Woodlanders staff will work closely with you ensuring consistency of meth-ods being used. We will support and assist children as their needs require. Toilet steps, seats and potties are available as needed.

It is vital that you provide an ample supply of spare clothing during this time

For children who use nappies/pull-ups we request that they come in a clean one and that parents leave a spare nappies/pull-ups in case their child needs to be changed.

Being Involved

Our Committee

As a registered charity Ashburton Family Services adopts a constitution outlined by the charity commission. In order to op-

erate, it is essential that the charity has a committee in post. These include a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and

other members.

Without these people in place Ashburton Family Services cannot operate. We are always wanting people to join our com-

mittee and help ensure the effective running of AFS. Becoming a trustee need not only be about you giving your time and

expertise. Taking on a role could provide you with the opportunity to develop new skills; discover new interests and find out

about life in our community. It also gives an opportunity to meet new people and expand your social life!

We have a more detailed information booklet . If you wish to know more about the Committee please talk to either a cur-

rent committee member or to the manager/ deputy.

Chair Saskia Hogbin

Secretary Vicky Foskett

Treasurer Suzanne Baxter

Members: James Brealy

Jane Ashton

Nick Axford

Blue Kilkelly

Elizabeth Cave

Being Involved in Other Ways

You do not have to be on our committee to be involved at Woodlanders. We are

always welcoming people who may wish to help with fundraising, events, or coming into the sessions to share skills and

experiences. There is always an abundance of jobs like maintaining our garden, basic DIY and general upkeep for any

willing helpers!

We also offer parents the opportunity to ’stay and play’ with your child at certain times in the year. We hold social events

and productions twice a year, where we are always grateful of that extra pair of hands! All our helpers are fully super-

vised during their time in the centre and made aware of our policies and emergency procedures.

Funding Information

and Fees

2 Year old Funding

Some 2 year olds could be eligible for funded sessions under a government scheme started in 2012. There is an infor-

mation leaflet within this pack which gives circumstances to which people could be eligible. It is allocated through Dev-

on County Council. To find out if you can access this funding contact

www.devon.gov.uk/disc-2gether

08451551019

3 and 4 year old funding

All children are entitled to the Early Years Education Funding the term following their 3rd birthday. This provides your

child with 15 hours of early years education. In the case of both 2 year old and 3/4 year old funding we require you to

complete a children's information form (enclosed) and provide official evidence of date of birth (birth certificate etc.) A

leaflet containing more information about the EYEF is enclosed.

Childcare Vouchers

Many employers offer childcare voucher schemes which is a tax free scheme which could save considerable money!

Woodlanders is registered with all reputable childcare voucher providers. For more information about this speak to

Clare, or contact your employer.

For the purpose of Childcare vouchers and Tax credits our Ofsted Registration number is 106282

The Fees

Willows ( 2 year olds NOT entitled to the 2gether funding.) £10.65 per session (Includes snack)

£3.50 per hour for extra lunch hour or additional hours

Willows ( 2 year olds who ARE entitled to 2gether funding) 1st 15 hours FREE

£4.00 per hour for extra lunch hour or additional hours

Elms and Oaks ( 3 year olds NOT yet entitled to the Early Years Grant) £10.50 per session

£3.75

Elms and Oaks (3 and 4 year olds who ARE entitled to the Early Years

grant)

1st 15 hours FREE

4.00 per hour for extra lunch hour or additional hours

Elms and Oaks Snack Charge 25p

Invoices are issued at the beginning of each half term, stating the date in which they are payable. Payment through

BACS is preferred although cash and cheques are acceptable. Bank Details: Sort code 089299 Acc no. 65283480 The

Management Committee reviews fees annually.

There will be no refunds due to holiday or sickness on the part of the child other than in exceptional circumstances.

We require a half-term’s notice in writing should you wish to withdraw your child or you will be liable for payment of a half-term’s fees.