Steve Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 Hi - Helen wrote an article about her procedures for settling young children into Fiddlesticks nursery ( http://www.foundation-stage.info/articles/...settling_in.php. ) This topic is a chance for you to discuss that article, or any other issues revolving around the introduction of new children into a setting - whether from the perspective of a parent or a practitioner.
Helen Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 What information do nurseries collect from the parents and carers about their children prior to starting nursery?
Beau Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 This is a subject I'm quite interested in. My new playgroup currently has a form issued by Aberdeenshire council which is filled in by the parents and kept in the records. I've had a look at the form and its very basic. It includes information about siblings, pets, favourite story/toy, friends, word for needing toilet, fears, any other activities the child does outside of playgroup and food dislikes. I would be interested to know what sort of things are recorded in your Initial Child Profile as I would like to change our form. Carol
Guest Posted April 2, 2003 Posted April 2, 2003 Hi, We have a 3 Years Old Questionnaire for parents to complete when their children join us. It includes: Does your child have a favourite toy? Does your child have a favourite food? Does your child have a favourite TV programme? Does your child have a favourite story? Does your child have a favourite song/rhyme? Is your child happy to go to the toilet by his/herself? Is your child happy drinking from an open cup unaided? Does your child have experience of mixing with other children and/or adults? Has your child been left at a nursery or similar setting before? If Yes, did they settle well? Does your child have anything in particular they are frightened of? How best would you describe your child? (e.g. shy, boisterous, sociable, cheeky, outgoing). This form is completed by parents of the 2 and half and 3 year olds who come to us at pre-school. At 4 years old the parents are then asked to complete another form to help us with what the child is capable of, away from the setting - like writing name, cutting and all the usual questions like this.
Guest Posted April 3, 2003 Posted April 3, 2003 Hi,We have a 3 Years Old Questionnaire for parents to complete when their children join us. It includes: Does your child have a favourite toy? Does your child have a favourite food? Does your child have a favourite TV programme? Does your child have a favourite story? Does your child have a favourite song/rhyme? Is your child happy to go to the toilet by his/herself? Is your child happy drinking from an open cup unaided? Does your child have experience of mixing with other children and/or adults? Has your child been left at a nursery or similar setting before? If Yes, did they settle well? Does your child have anything in particular they are frightened of? How best would you describe your child? (e.g. shy, boisterous, sociable, cheeky, outgoing). This form is completed by parents of the 2 and half and 3 year olds who come to us at pre-school. At 4 years old the parents are then asked to complete another form to help us with what the child is capable of, away from the setting - like writing name, cutting and all the usual questions like this. More bits of paper!Apart from the medical forms which the parents fill in the chids keyworker talks to the parent about their child likes etc.They usually visit a couple of times with mum so we get to meet them etc
Steve Posted April 3, 2003 Author Posted April 3, 2003 Sorry, I don't understand your comment oldtimer. Are you saying you don't think the questionnaires are necessary? Don't your keyworkers record any of the comments from the child's parents about the child's likes/dislikes etc?
Helen Posted April 5, 2003 Posted April 5, 2003 Hi Becky, We have an initial child profile which we ask the parents to complete and bring along for their child's first session. One of us then sits with the family and discusses it, adding bits if required. I really like your idea of another questionnaire when the child becomes four; that would be really useful in completing the profiles and filling in any gaps in recording. Thanks for that Our ICP questions are: 1. Please name family members and significant people close to your child. 2. Does your child have favourite toys and activities at the present time? 3. Has s/he taken part in typical nursery activities ? Please tick those that apply (sand/water play, painting, cutting sticking, playdough, singing, movement, puzzles, role play, construction toys, small world play) 4. Does your child enjoy books and listening to stories? Does s/he have any favourites? 5. What other things does your child show interest in or talk about? 6. Is there anything s/he is afraid of, or anything s/he doesn't like to do? 7. Where does s/he like to go? 8. Has s/he been left at any other playgroup, and is so, how was the separation process? 9. How would you like us to handle the moment when you leave for the first time? 10.Is s/he used to playing with other children and does s/he enjoy this? 11. What do you expect your child will like about coming to nursery? 12.Do you feel your child's development is what you would expect for his/her age? 13. Do you have any concerns or worries about your child's development? 14. Do you think your child's language development is proceeding well? Can you give examples to demonstrate your child's level of communication? 15.Is your child independent? (eg in dressing, choosing activities, using the toilet) What sort of help does your child need? 16. Is there anything you do at home regarding physical care for your child that you would like us to continue with here? 17. Is there any other information you would like us to know in order to help your child settle and be happy?
Guest Posted April 5, 2003 Posted April 5, 2003 Sorry, I don't understand your comment oldtimer. Are you saying you don't think the questionnaires are necessary? Don't your keyworkers record any of the comments from the child's parents about the child's likes/dislikes etc? In their heads!When the children come first they are in very small groups so that they feel secure ie 5 or less so its like a amily unit with a Mum!
Guest Posted April 5, 2003 Posted April 5, 2003 Sorry, I don't understand your comment oldtimer. Are you saying you don't think the questionnaires are necessary? Don't your keyworkers record any of the comments from the child's parents about the child's likes/dislikes etc? In their heads!When the children come first they are in very small groups so that they feel secure ie 5 or less so its like a amily unit with a Mum! sorry the f got lost!
Guest Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 Sorry, I don't understand your comment oldtimer. Are you saying you don't think the questionnaires are necessary? Don't your keyworkers record any of the comments from the child's parents about the child's likes/dislikes etc? In their heads!When the children come first they are in very small groups so that they feel secure ie 5 or less so its like a amily unit with a Mum! sorry the f got lost! No they dont!but may be the new playleader will start it!Leaving after 23 years on friday.Will do the odd days supply.
Guest Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 Wow Oldtimer, You have been in the profession almost as many years as my age (28 years!). Are leaving because you are retiring, or are you changing profession? Good luck though, whatever you're doing! After 23 years it will seem very strange I'm sure!
Guest Posted April 9, 2003 Posted April 9, 2003 Wow Oldtimer,You have been in the profession almost as many years as my age (28 years!). Are leaving because you are retiring, or are you changing profession? Good luck though, whatever you're doing! After 23 years it will seem very strange I'm sure! Leaving because I have found it all very stressssful since Ofsted.We were a small playgroup running very smoothly always full and the effect all this paperwork has had has destroyed it.The world has gone mad !If only the goverment could put the money into education.This is costing millons.Yes if you have a problem child then obs etc should be done. Both my children 28 and 25 went to the playgroup and are now well ajusted children. Lets bring back the words play,fun ,learning to socialise. And lets all throw all this paperwork in the bin!
Guest Posted April 10, 2003 Posted April 10, 2003 I'm so sorry to hear of the reasons why you are leaving the proffession, although I understand. I am sure the proffession is losing a lot more experienced people like yourself and I feel that what we actually need are the older (if you don't mind me saying!) more experienced practitioners to balance the younger ones too. We can all train in any job, but I don't think you can beat experience. Good luck in whatever you decide to do - in the outside world! Could you not work in your setting as an Assistant, thus taking the pressure of you a bit, to be completing the forms and procedures?
Guest cat33 Posted November 24, 2003 Posted November 24, 2003 Wow Oldtimer,You have been in the profession almost as many years as my age (28 years!). Are leaving because you are retiring, or are you changing profession? Good luck though, whatever you're doing! After 23 years it will seem very strange I'm sure! Leaving because I have found it all very stressssful since Ofsted.We were a small playgroup running very smoothly always full and the effect all this paperwork has had has destroyed it.The world has gone mad !If only the goverment could put the money into education.This is costing millons.Yes if you have a problem child then obs etc should be done. Both my children 28 and 25 went to the playgroup and are now well ajusted children. Lets bring back the words play,fun ,learning to socialise. And lets all throw all this paperwork in the bin! oldtimer, know how you feel. OFSTED is no longer a useful process as far as I am concerned, just an experience to "get through". My confidence took a hit but am focused again. We have the support of our Parents and my Practitioners work their socks off! It is just a difficult time in early years but we have to keep going. Chris
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