Childcare - An explanation of terms
SESSIONAL DAY CARE
This term covers pre-schools and playgroups who operate for
more than two hours but less than four hours a day and are
registered by the Social Services Inspection and Registration
Unit.
They are open to children from 2½ to 5 years. As with full day
care, the sessional facility must meet certain safety standards and
the charges are set by each individual provider.
There should be enough staff to allow children to be cared for
in small groups. Most groups offer a named staff member (keyworker)
who takes the main responsibility for caring for your child.
FULL DAY CARE DAY CARE
This term covers day nurseries, creches and extended
pre-schools which have been registered by the Social Services
Inspection and Registration Unit.
These forms of childcare are open to children up to the age of
5 years, for 4 hours or more each working day. Children can attend
full or part-time. Meals and sleeping facilities have to be
provided and all staff are police and health checked. The full day
care facility must also meet certain safety standards. Charges for
the service are set by each provider so contact individual
providers for their information booklets.
There should be enough staff to allow children to be cared for
in small groups and on a one-to-one basis if necessary. There
should be a named staff member (keyworker) who takes the main
responsibility for caring for your child.
Further information about full and sessional day
care
When looking for either full or sessional day care, it is
important that you visit and stay for as long as possible. Try to
visit more than once. Both types of facilities will be inspected by
the Social Services Inspection and Registration Unit once a year
and the report is available to anyone wishing to see it.
Staff and the environment
Staff should be committed to ensuring the best possible care
for your child and show positive attitudes to different race,
cultures, language and gender. Children should be treated with
respect and listened to and spoken to in a positive manner. The
environment should be child-focused, safe, happy, healthy and
reflect different cultures, roles and genders in a positive
way.
Play and activities
Play provision needs to be varied and flexible, allowing
children to choose some activities. There should be a suitable
range of toys and equipment to help children develop their social,
emotional, intellectual and physical skills.
Activities should include sand and water play, drawing,
painting, sticking, building, dressing up, home corner and role
play corner. Equipment should allow children to climb, jump and run
etc. There should also be books, puzzles, cars, construction toys,
small world toys, bricks and various equipment for outdoor
use.
Meal/snack times
The children should have a nutritious and varied snack or
meal, in a happy atmosphere where children and adults sit together.
This helps with conversation and your child's social
development.
Your responsibilities
The supervisor for day care will need to ask you to complete
their records about your child and where you can be contacted.
Please remember to tell them if any of your details change.
CHILDCARE FOR THE OVER 5's
Out of school, holiday care and
playschemes
This term covers provision which takes children after school
or in school holidays to be cared for or to take part in a specific
supervised activity. All facilities that care for children under
the age of 8 years must be registered with Social Services.
The schemes are open for more than 2 hours daily. Schemes will
take children from age 5 to 8 years but most will take children up
to 11 years. All staff are police and health checked. Facilities
must meet certain safety standards and charges are set by each
provider. There may be extra charges for trips. Children attending
full day care will need to bring a packed lunch.
Out of School care schemes
These provide sessional care for children outside normal
school hours and are usually open between 3pm and 6pm. Places are
pre-booked in advance and children are collected from school and
taken to the scheme by a responsible adult. They have play
opportunities and receive a light snack and are collected by
parents/carers.
Holiday care schemes
These provide full day care for children during school
holidays and are usually open from 8.30am to 6pm. Children are
taken and collected by their parent/carer and have play
opportunities throughout the day.
Playschemes
Playschemes offer after-school and holiday play opportunities
for children aged 5 - 13 years. Children are taken and collected by
their parent/carer.
LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY PROVISION
Nursery and Early Years Classes
Nursery classes offer Early Years Education and care as part
of County primary schools. The classes are staffed by qualified
teachers and assistants. Children usually start between 3 - 4 years
and are offered 5 half-day sessions a week, either mornings or
afternoons, in term-time only. Places are offered in accordance
with the schools admissions policy (available from the school).
There is no charge for nursery class places.
Reception Classes
These classes are the children's first introduction to
infant/primary school. Children usually start between 4 - 5 years.
As with a nursery class, staff are qualified teachers and
assistants, but lessons are often more structured. Classes usually
start at 9am until 3.15pm but might offer half-day sessions when
the child first starts at the school. Places are offered in
accordance with the schools admissions policy (available from the
school). There is no charge for reception class places.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you need any further information regarding types of
childcare, contact the Under Eights Development Officer at:
Social Services
Willowfield House
Tendring Road
Harlow, CM18 6SE
Tel: 01279 434641