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Homerton Children's Centre
Parental Involvement and Community Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I park?
For your child’s safety, please always approach the Centre by the little pathway. The goods entrance is a dangerous way to come in for obvious reasons, and there is parking space for staff cars only. Please park on the road courteously, avoiding blocking our neighbours’ driveways. Parking can be difficult at arrival and collection times, and you may need to park on Glebe Road, then take the shortcut in Holbrook Road past the allotments.
What should my child wear to Nursery School?
Please dress your child in practical clothes they can manage themselves, for example, no hard to manage dungarees or party best! As we go out into the garden every day and in all weathers, please ensure s/he has appropriate outdoor clothing for the prevailing weather conditions, and that it is named. Shoes with Velcro fastenings are easy for little fingers to manage when they begin taking off their socks and shoes for movement sessions. We would prefer children not to wear clogs or flip flops as they can be a hazard, particularly when using the climbing frame. We keep a stock of spare clothes in case of accidents, and we provide aprons for messy activities.
Can my child bring toys from home?
Children are encouraged to put any toys from home in the home basket for safekeeping.
What do I do if my child is unwell?
Please phone to let us know, preferably near to the beginning of the session. In the case of sickness and diarrhoea the advice from the Environmental Health Officer is to keep your child at home for two clear days after cessation to prevent spread of infection. Coughs, sneezes and diseases can be passed on to other children – and staff! – so please help us to keep the Centre free from infection. We would like to feel that children are in comfort of their own home if they are under the weather or very tired.
What if my child needs some medication?
We will ask you to fill in and sign a form giving permission for any medication or medical intervention. Please let us know if your child has any health problems before starting Homerton so we can plan accordingly.
What if my child has an accident at Homerton?
Any accident, no matter how small, is recorded in the class accident book and you will be asked to sign it when you collect your child. If your chld has a bigger accident or is unwell we will contact you immediately. All staff are qualified first aiders. Our Health and Safety policy is available in the lobby.
What about drinks and snacks?
We ask each family to bring a piece or two of fruit or vegetables each week, which is cut up and shared during snack time. Each child has their own mug and they are encouraged to have drinks of water whenever they are thirsty.
Do you cook at school?
Each class cooks or prepares food regularly with the children, and we put notices on the classroom doors to tell you what we’ll be cooking. Please let us know if your child has any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Do you celebrate birthdays and festivals?
We celebrate children’s birthdays by singing a birthday song and blowing out candles on a pretend cake. Some families like to send in small biscuits or cakes to share at these times. We also celebrate a wide range of cultural and religious festivals throughout the year. If you have any expertise/ideas/special foods or artefacts you could share with us we would welcome these.
Do you take photographs of the children?
We take photos to record what your child has been doing at Nursery. These are shared with you as part of displays or included in your child’s portfolio at the end of the year. A professional photographer visits yearly to take individual and class photographs for you to buy if you wish. Visitors or students may be required to take photos as evidence of practice, and in these cases we make it clear that no child may be identified. If a child’s photo is submitted for publication, for example, in an Early Years magazine, we always seek parental permission first. For further information please refer to our policy for Camera Use.
Can my child get out of the building?
We have a security system installed, and all visitors register at our Office in the reception area. All the classrooms have high door handles that children are unable to reach, and staff close their doors at all times. At collection times a member of staff opens the door to admit parents and carers and stays there to closely monitor the comings and goings. Parents and carers collect their children from the class carpet area, where another member of staff is supervising the group. Our outdoor area is fenced in all around and gardens provide the boundary for this, as we do not open directly onto a road.
How can I help once my child has started Nursery?
When all the children have settled we will send out a letter inviting you to offer help in the classroom for an hour a week on a rota basis. We may also request help with supervision if we take children on visits out of the Centre.
We will send you regular newsletters, and you will also receive a half termly letter from our support teacher with suggestions as to how you can support our work with your child at home.
We sometimes put up notices asking for your support in providing resources such as boxes for junk modelling. You might also like to volunteer to help with repairs, renovations or gardening, or even stand as parent governor!
How will I know how my child is getting on?
You are welcome to talk with staff when you bring or collect your child, or you can request an appointment for a longer discussion if you need to. We hold an open evening in the autumn term, and there is the opportunity for a 10 minute individual consultation in the spring term. At the end of the year we give you a written profile detailing your child’s progress, and a portfolio of work.
Will my child transfer automatically to primary school?
No, you need to register your child at the school you would like her/him to attend. In order to do so, collect your copy of the brochure ‘Admissions to Primary Schools in Cambridgeshire – a guide for parents’ from your local school. You can then use the Reception Admission Form contained in this booklet to apply for a place at your school of preference, following the guidance in the Notes on Completion.
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