We strive to build a good relationship between all children, families and Tick Tock Staff.
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To book a visit to have a look around, please click here: Book a visit
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To complete an application form, please click here: Application form
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What can I expect from Tick Tock Playgroup?
You can expect Tick Tock to carry out it duties in a highly professional manner at all times. Your child will be cared for by our members of staff whom are highly qualified and have a love for children. This care will take place in a stimulating and safe environment. You can also expect your childs emotional, physical and devlopmental needs to be well catered for in a sensitive and caring manner.
We promote British values, equality, diversity and inclusion and cultural capital. Staff are forward thinking and strive to keep up to date through personal development and training.
We will will always share any concerns that we may have regarding your child’s development and wellbeing with you.
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Arrivals and departures
Between the hours of 9 am – 3 pm please drop off/collect your child at the door to your child’s room. The Forest (Pre-school) and Ocean (Toddler) are at the front of the building and the Jungle room door is at the back of the building through the garden gate.
At any times before or after the main times, please drop off and collect your child at the Forest room door.
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Settling in
This can be an emotional time for both children and parents. We have found from experience that a number of short settling in hour sessions in advance to your child starting with us can be beneficial. We do not have a strict number as we really feel it depends on the child’s needs. It is not unusual for a child to appear unhappy when they are initially being left, though once you leave them their distress rarely last more than a few minutes. Tick Tock staff are able to distract and engage the children beautifully. You can feel assured that if your child shows any undue distress we will always contact you. We will then advise you on an alternative settling in approach. We are always happy for parents to ring us at any point during their child’s session to check in on their child’s wellbeing.
Please don’t sit and worry give us a call.
We also run stay and play sessions once a month, we have found that attending a couple of these are also beneficial in helping a child settle.
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Key person
Your child will be allocated a Key person who will introduce themselves to you. This key person will be responsible for keeping you up to date with your child’s progress. Staff use an online system called Interactive Learning Diary and your child’s key person will upload photographs and complete observations on your child through this system. We would encourage parents to do the same at home.
There is also an app that can be downloaded onto any tablet or smart phone called interactive 360. If you require any support to navigate the Interactive learning diary system, we would happily book you an appointment with your child’s key person. Your child will have a named tray located in the foyer where his/her work will be placed along with important letters.
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Who can collect my child from Tick Tock?
We will accept any nomination from you as long as you let us know in advance. We will not release any child into the care of any person that has not been authorised by you and whom does not know the password or has photo ID with them.
Please do advise the member of staff on the door if it will be somebody different collecting your child. Please also ensure that the person collecting has your password and photo ID on them.
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If my child has an injury, will I be told?
Yes, if your child receives an injury, no matter how minor you will always be told.
Injuries are recorded on our online Interactive learning diary system. The nature of the incident will be outlined alongside the treatment given and you will be asked to sign the accident form on collection of your child.
If the injury is of a more serious nature we will of course make every effort to contact you, your emergency contacts and we will seek help if the need arises.
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Food
We provide free breakfast at breakfast time which consists of a selection of cereal of toast. Breakfast stips being bserved at 8.30 am.
Each morning we provide a free snack at 10am. Our snack consists of a selection of fruit, brioche, wraps or breadsticks along with milk or water to drink. Children help set up the tables, get plates and cups out and pack away after themselves to support their independence. Afternoon snack is at 3 pm and we will offer your children something similar to morning snack accompanied by a drink of water. Water is also available to the children throughout the day.
All children with special dietary requirements will be accommodated.
Lunch time is a very social occasion. At Tick Tock Playgroup all children from all three rooms will sit next to their peers. All children staying for lunch will require a pack lunch or a purchased hot meal which is £2.50 per day which also includes pudding which consists of fruit, a yogurt or jelly.
If your child is packed lunchees we would encourage you to send in a healthy packed lunch for your child. We insist that all small rounded items such as grapes, cherry tomatoes and olives be cut in a horizontal fashion. We also request that pack lunches do not contain any whole nuts or sweets.
All our staff hold a food hygiene and paediatric first aid certificate.
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Clothing
Children are always encouraged to join in with every activity we have on offer. In having fun your child may very well get messy. We ask that all children come with a named bag containing a change of clothes. We would ask that you do not send your child to pre-school in clothing that you would not want to get messy.
We make use of our extensive garden throughout the year, therefore, in winter you child will require a hat, gloves and a winter coat. During the summer we ask that all children come in with sun cream applied, staff will then top up suncream after lunch and when needed throughout the day. Your children will also require a sun hat.
Can we also ask that all items are named, this includes bags, clothing, lunch boxes, water bottles, footwear and dummies and muzzies.
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Nappies
Parents are required to supply nappies and wipes for their child in a named bag.
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Illness
Tick Tock is required by regulations not to admit or retain children while they are ill. This is to prevent cross infection with other children. Should your child develop symptoms of illness whilst at setting you will be informed immediately. We will request that you collect your child straight away and we will keep your child isolated until you arrive. If we are unable to contact you then your emergency contact will be informed.
We have a no return policy of 48 hours for sickness and diarrhoea. This mean that your child cannot return to pre-school until 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea. We ask that you call or email the setting to notify us if your child is going to be absent. The absent email is: Admin@ticktock-playgroup.co.uk
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Medication
Staff can only administer prescribed medication and only when parents have signed the medication record form on the interactive learning diary and given clear administering instructions. Medication must be clearly labelled with the child’s name and must be prescribed by a medical practitioner.
All medication must be handed to a member of staff and not left in your childs bag. Staff will not routinely administer Calpol. If your child requires Calpol we require you keep them at home.
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Payment of fees
Invoices can be found on the interactive learning diary system under the accounts tab. Fees are paid one month in arrears. We require that invoices are paid in full promptly within two weeks of the invoice being created.
Failure to pay your invoice promptly may result in your child’s place at Tick Tock being terminated except for children accessing their free early years entitlement. Tick Tock will always take action to recover unpaid fees. If you are having difficulty paying your fees please speak to the deputy manager. Fees can be paid by child care vouchers, cash, bank transfer or national savings account. If paying by cash please ensure you give this to a member of the management team who will then write you a receipt.
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Do you have policies and procedures?
Yes the following policies are available on request:
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CHILD PROTECTION
- Responding to safeguarding or child protection concerns
- Use of mobile phones and cameras
- Confidentiality
- Whistle-blowing
- Non-collection of children
- Missing child
- E-safety
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Promoting inclusion, equality and valuing diversity
- Supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities
- Admissions
SAFETY
- Health and Safety
- Fire and lockdown procdedures
- Trips and outings procedures
- No smoking
HEALTH
- Health and Hygiene
- Medication
- Sun safety
- Food hygiene and allergens
- Poorly children
- Baby milk and food preparation
SUITABLE PEOPLE
- Staffing and employment
- Recruitment and retention
- Training and development
RELATIONSHIPS
- Promoting positive behaviour
- Managing seperation anxiety in children under 2 years
- Parental involement
- Working in partnership with parents and other agencies
EARLY YEARS PRACTICE
- Role of the key person
- Settling in and transitions
- Sleep and rest time
- Identification, assessment and support for children with SEND
INFORMATION AND RECORDS
- Children’s records and data protection
- Privacy notice
- Confidentiality, recording and sharing information
- Registration and terms and conditions
- Making a complaint
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What does Tick Tock Playgroup do with my personal information?
Tick Tock Playgroup adheres to all GPDR regulations. Your information is treated as highly confidential and will only be used to assist us with the care of your child. It is vital for your child’s wellbeing that your contact details and that of your emergency contacts are kept accurate and up to date. Your records are not shown to any other party and when you leave Tick Tock Playgroup they will be destroyed after the designated period of time. There may however be circumstances where information is shared with other professionals and/or agencies without your consent.
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Termination
We require 4 weeks notice to terminate or reduce your child’s free early entitlement or paid sessions.
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Complaints
In the event that you are concerned or unhappy regarding any aspect of the service, please speak to a member of our senior management team. Our complaints policy provides further guidance and is available on the website, in setting or via email.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this information sheet. Agreement to these terms of enrolment are assumed in good faith when you accept and take up a place at Tick Tock Playgroup.