Parent Info
Welcome parents! We know you may have lots of questions about our programs, policies, and procedures here at Lees Hall Playgroup. This page provides helpful information and answers to some of our most frequently asked questions from parents like you. Please explore the topics below to learn more about what your child can expect during their time with us. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff. We look forward to partnering with you on your child’s learning and development journey!
Learning Experiences
What kind of curriculum do you follow?
At Lees Hall Playgroup, we adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. This comprehensive curriculum covers all key areas of early learning including communication, physical development, personal and social skills, literacy, maths, understanding the world, and expressive arts.
Do you have a special designated playground?
Yes, we have a lovely outdoor area for the children to play and learn. Our playground is located right outside our building and is specially designed for early years children with age-appropriate equipment. We try to spend time outside each day.
What arrangements are there for lunch times?
We offer a lunch club from 11:30am to 12pm for £2 per day. Children must bring a packed lunch. We have designated staff supervising and assisting children during lunch time.
Will my child be playing with bigger kids?
We take children from 2-5 years old but structure our sessions so similar ages are together. Your child will mainly interact with peers close in age to encourage suitable social experiences.
What happens if my child gets sick or hurt?
All our staff are pediatric first aid trained. For minor injuries we will administer appropriate care and notify you at pickup. If a child becomes ill or is injured more seriously, we will contact parents/guardians immediately.
What are your afternoon pick up procedures?
Afternoon sessions end at 3pm. Children must be picked up promptly from their designated classroom by an authorised adult. Please notify us if someone new will be picking up your child. Valid ID will be required.
Do you have formal parent / teacher interviews?
Yes, we offer parent consultations at the end of each term where your child’s key person will share their progress and sample reports from our online journal system, Tapestry.
What is the timetable for each of the groups?
Our morning session runs from 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoon from 12pm to 3pm. Please get in touch if you need any clarification!
Reading
Reading and literacy activities are incorporated throughout our daily schedules and routines. We have a cozy book corner where children can relax and read independently or with friends. During circle time, staff will read stories aloud, encouraging participation and comprehension. Our various learning areas also promote literacy, like our writing center and role-play areas. Shared reading helps children develop a lifelong love of books and strengthens their language abilities.
Playing
Play is central to how children learn and develop. Our carefully planned environment has diverse play-based areas to support all types of learning. Children engage in lots of free play where they can choose activities of interest, exploring and being imaginative. Guided play sessions allow staff to extend children’s learning further. We believe playing together helps build crucial social skills too. Outdoor play in our playground also provides vital movement and gross motor practice.
Singing
Singing nursery rhymes and songs is a wonderful part of our day. During circle time and transitions, staff will lead the children in familiar tunes and teach new ones too. Singing helps develop listening and memory and expands vocabulary. It also promotes self-expression and joy. Music helps make learning engaging. Our role-play areas have musical instruments for added creativity.
Learning
Our qualified Early Years educators plan a wide variety of hands-on, multi-sensory activities tailored to each child’s development. We support learning across all key areas from numeracy to literacy, creative arts to science. Our child-led ethos means that activities are based on children’s interests to best motivate learning. We use observations and assessments to track each child’s progress and shape their next steps. Learning through play means our children gain knowledge while having fun!