20, Bailey Close, Chingford London E4 9HG Telephone Number 020 8559 4473 Ofsted Number 146918 Registered Charity Number 1049439 Email: - busybeeschingford@hotmail.co.uk Website: - www.busybeespreschoolchingford.co.uk Facebook Page: - Busy Bees Pre - School Chingford E4 Introduction The Busy Bees Preschool opened on the 10 th January 1968; the group was based at the Salvation Army Hall, Chingford Mount Road and was known as the Salvation Army Playgroup. Mrs. Doreen Hanks was the leader and remembers that on the first day there was snow on the ground and that it was very cold, three children arrived on that first day but over time the numbers grew, and we now have more than 30 children a session some days. The cost of a play session in 1968 was 5 shillings today that would be 25p. Over the years the pre - school has seen many of Waltham forests children and grandchildren through its doors! Since opening the group has seen many changes including not only name but also location, we were based along Chingford Mount Road next to the Memorial Park but had to move once the building we were in was to be demolished to make way for the care home for the elderly . We moved to our current location in 1993. The Busy Bees Preschool is a member of the Preschool Learning Alliance (PSLA) which is a national organisation that offers advice, support and keep us up to date with changes in government legislation that is linked to childcare and education. We are inspected by Ofsted, and have had, to date f ive inspections, the reports are on the Ofsted website, just put in our Ofsted registration number and you will be able to look at our reports. Our last inspection was in January 2024 where we received a “good” outcome. The Busy Bees Preschool is a registered charity which is beneficial when applying for grants. As a community run pre - school, we do not make a profit and any money over after pay the bills is used to purchase new equipment and also staff training. We hope that the information provided will help you decide if the Busy Bees Preschool is the right group for your child and you. Our Mission Statement The Busy Bees Preschool welcomes all children and their families as valued members of our diverse community and treats all with respect and as individuals. Keeping each child safe and giving them the opportunity to learn through play, sharing, being happy, having fun The Busy Bees Preschool aims to: Provide high quality care and education for children below statutory school age Work in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop Add to the life and well - being of the local community Offer children and their parents a service that promotes equality and values diversity We aim to ensure that each child : Is in a safe , caring and stimulating environment Is given generous care and attention, because of our ratio of qualified staff to children and students Has to chance to join with other children and adults to live, play, work, and learn together Is helped to progress on their learning and development by building on what they already know using a specially tailored curriculum leading towards the early years foundations goals. Each child h as a personal key person who makes sure that each child progresses in their learning and development, and plans using the child’s interest Timetables and routines The Busy Bees Preschool believes that Care and Education are equally important, and the routines and activities that we offer your child whilst they are at the Busy Bees Preschool are provided in ways that: - Help your child feel that she/he is a valued member of the Busy Bees Preschool. Ensure the safety of your child. Help your child to gain from the social experience of being part of the group. Provide your child to gain from the social experience of being part of a group. Provide your child with opportunities to learn and to help them value learning. The Busy Bees Preschool is open for 38 weeks each year during term time. We are closed during mainstream school holidays, our 5 inset days for staff training may differ from local schools. We are open 5 days a week and offer a variety of sessions , these are: AM session - 8.30 - 11.30 PM session - 12 - 3 All Day Session 9 - 3 If you require flexi hours, we may be able to offer an extended day between 8.30 - 3.15 for an additional fee. Please speak to Maggie or Alison for more information. The Busy Bees Preschool provides care and Education for young children between the ages of 2 years and 5 years. Fees - The cost per session is as follows: 2 y r old fees are £ 7.50 per hour. 3 & 4 y r old fees are £ 7 per hour. Trips and outings We go on trips and outings throughout the ye ar. These can be local such as a teddy bears picnic in the nearby forest , library, or a coach trip. Some of the destinations we have been to on the coach include the seaside, farm, zoo, sea life centre, to see Father Christmas and pizza making in a pizza restaurant. We love it when parents/carers come on the trips with us it’s a real opportunity for us all to get to kno w each other more and have that shared experience with you and your children. We also have experiences brought into the setting such as creepy crawlies, farm animals , circus skills, puppet shows as well as our well music movement sessions with an external company. The staff All of our staff are qualified to a minimum of a level 3 in childcare and education , with two members of staff hold ing a level 5 degree qualification. W e currently have an apprentice with us working towards their l evel 3 qualification. All our staff are first aid trained and DBS checked. We have a very low staff turnover and most of the staff having been here for a long time some have even welcomed ba ck ex - students with their own children once they have grown up! Staff attend regular training and keep up to date with current legislation and guidance. Attending train ing courses helps to keep our practice current and exciting. The session We organise our sessions so that you child can choose from and work at a range of activities and, in doing so, build up their ability to select and work through a task to its completion. Activities are planned around children’s and interests as well as special events and celebrations. Keyworkers plan the activities to help your child reach the next steps in their development Your child will also be given the choice to take part in adult led small and large group activities which will introduce them to new experiences and help your child gain new skills, as well as helping them work with others. Outdoor activities contribute to your child’s health, physical development, and knowledge of the world around them. Your child will be encouraged to take part in indoor child - chosen and adult led activities, as well as those provided outside. F ood and Drink We plan snacks so that they provide all children with healthy food such as fruit, toast etc and a drink of either water or milk , please make sure that you inform us of your child’s dietary needs so that we can make sure that they are met, we ask for a donation of 50p a week towards snacks, this will appear on your invoice. Some children may choose to bring a water bottle which has their name on it and only have water, we do not allow juice or squash at the pre - school in order to promote oral health. Your child does not need to bring any food with unless they are staying for lunch . Children staying for lunch will need to bring a packed lunch. Childrens packed lunch must be a balanced lunch and not heavily processed items. Childrens lunch must not contain any nuts at all or any glass bottles. There are lots of great packed lunch box ideas on the nhs website that are healthily balanced. We are unable to heat or reheat any food. At Busy Bees we do not allow children to bring in baby bottles to drink from Clothing We do have an optional uniform that you can order from us consisting of t - shirts, jumpers and jogging bottoms. Uniform is not compulsory but it can stop your childs clothes from getting messy. Your child will get messy from exploring the world around them both indoors and outdoors despite us providing aprons so please ensure you do not send your child in expensive clothing or new clothing. Children must bring a bag with their name on it with a spare change of clothes in i t in case they need to be changed. Parents In community - based settings that are member of the Preschool Learning Alliance, whether seasonal or full day care, all parents are regarded as members who have full participatory rights. These include the right to be , Valued and Respected Kept informed Consulted Involved Seen as partners in helping your child learn and develop In our community based, voluntary managed group, we also depend on the goodwill of parents and their involvement. Membership of the Busy Bees Preschool also carries expectations on parents for their support and commitments. This is based on the ‘mutuality’ that characterises a Preschool Learning Alliance member setting. How parents can take part at the Busy Bees Preschool At the Busy Bees Preschool, we recognise that parents are the first and most important educators of their child; all of the staff sees themselves as partners with you in providing care and education for you child. There are many ways in which parents take part in making the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents, such as: Exchanging knowledge about you child’s needs, activities, interests, and progress with staff Sharing your own special interests with your child Being part of the Management Committee of the Busy Bees Preschool Take part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided at the Busy Bees Preschool Building friendship with other parents whose children attend the Busy Bees Preschool Come into the setting to show your cultures food, clothing and talk about special events. Key Person and your child The Busy Bees Preschool has a Key Person system, although all staff work with all children each child has a Key Person who works with you to make sure that the activities that we provide for your child considers their interests and needs, not only within the setting but also at home. When your child is settling the Key Person will help your child and you, there will be termly Key Person/ Parent meetings, the Key Person will carry out observations and plan activities for your child in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidelines. Children’s Learning and development The provision for children’s development and learning is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage which sets the standards for learning, Development, and care for children from birth onwards. Children are born ready, able and eager to learn. They actively reach out to interact with other people, and in the world around them. Development is not an automatic process, however. It depends on each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments. During your child’s time at Busy Bees Pre - school, we will build up an on - line profile with the ‘Tapestry’ website which will include observations, photos and videos. You will be able to access your child’s profile with your own password you can also upload your own comments, photos, and videos, you will also be able to download their learning journal when they move onto their next setting We also must complete a Transition Document when your child moves onto their next setting, therefore we ask for one months’ notice period to prepare this document. The transition document will include your child’s view of the Busy Bees Preschool and what they enjoyed doing, the Key Person comments and information about your child’s progress in the areas of Learning and Development, these are: - Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design You can find out more ab out the early years foundation stage (EYFS)on the gov.uk website. You will also be asked to add your comments to this document and once you have provided us with details of your child’s new setting, we can then pass this record on to them, you will also receive a copy to keep. Policies and Procedures Copies of the Busy Bees Policies and Procedures are available in the lobby area , or you may request your own copy The Busy Bees Preschool Policies help us to make sure that the service provided by us is a high quality one and that being a member of the Busy Bees Preschool is an enjoyable and beneficial experience for your child and you. The staff, parents and management committee work together to adopt policies and can take part in the annual review of the policies. This review helps us to make sure that the policies are enabling the Busy Bees Preschool to provide a quality service for its members and local community. Our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is reviewed by our Designated Safeguarding Lead. This policy is for the protection of not only children but also staff, volunteers and students at the Busy Bees Preschool; our Safeguarding lists the four indicators of abuse and is line with the current guidance and legislation. Our Behaviour Policy states the expectations of behaviour and again you can ask for a copy of this, we believe in rewarding positive behaviour with praise. Our Complaints Policy is also available if you require a copy, it states how complaint should be made and the procedure to follow, if after following the steps you are still not satisfied you can contact Ofsted directly, and their number is 0300 123 1231, they also have a web site is you require more information about their role as the regulator of childcare, the address is www.ofsted.gov.uk/parents Special Needs As part of the Busy Bees Preschool policy to make sure that its provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs a child may have. We will always ensure we can meet the needs of the child before offering a space. The Busy Bees Preschool works to the requirements of the 199 6 Education Act and The Special Needs and Disability Code of Practi c e (2014). The Management of the Busy Bees Preschool The Busy Bees Preschool is managed by the Parent/Management Committee - whose members are elected by the parents of the children who attend the Busy Bees Preschool. The elections take place at our Annual General Meeting, the Committee is responsible for: - - Managing the Busy Bees Finances - Employing and Managing Staff - Making sure that the Busy Bees has – and works to – policies that help to provide a high - quality service - Making sure that practitioners work in partnership with the children’s parents The Annual General Meeting is open to all the children who attend the Busy Bees Preschool. It is our shared forum for looking back over the previous year’s activities and shaping the coming years plan. All Committee members will need to complete an enhanced CRB check, Ofsted will be informed of the appointments, and you will become a Charity Trustee of the Busy Bees Preschool, whilst you serve on the Committee. Fees have to be paid when your child is absent to keep your child’s place at the Busy Bees Preschool. If you are having financial difficulty please speak to the Manager. The Busy Bees Preschool is registered with the D FEE and as such are part of the FEEG for 3 and 4 year olds, this grant is for all children the term after they turn 3 years and will entitle them to 15 hours free per week. Any hours over this will be chargeable at our normal rate. Please also see our payment policy for further information. We are also able to accept children for the 30 hour funding, to qualify for this both parents need to be working, and earning no more than £100,000 each per year, this grant is for children aged 3 and 4 years old. There is funding available for children the term after they turn 2 years, you can check eligibi lity at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk , if you do not have access to a computer, staff can check this for you as part of the induction process. Our ratio for children aged 3 and 4 years is 1 member of staff per 8 children and for 2 year olds 1 member of staff per 5 children, this is reflected in our hourly rate. You will receive an invoic e at the end of each month showing payments due and cost for your child attending busy bees, you c an pay either , by BACS , Cheque or Cash. Or b y vouchers, please speak to Margaret , or her deputy Alison. We are now also able to claim an Early Years Pupil Premium for 3 - & 4 - year - olds , which is 53p per hour, there is a criteria to fulfil for this funding. It can be used to improve the provision for the children, hire outside services such as dance, drama and music. Settling In Settling into the Busy Bees Preschool is very important; here is some advice to our new parents. Enjoy your first visits together. Even us adults get shy around new people in new places, so just imagine how scary it is for your child going into a strange and new preschool, familiarise your child with the children, team and the environment. Get to know the staff, learn people’s names, ask lots of questions. Let your child’s keyworker know about your child, the more information you give the staff, the better time your child will have. Tell them your child’s likes, dislikes, what food they eat, when your child tends to sleep, anything that frightens them and any toileting needs, whether it be nappies, potty training or able to take themselves to the toilet. Share some positive ideas about preschool with your child, talk about it in positive terms, as something exciting and enjoyable. Keep on smiling no matter how unsettled you are feeling about your child taking fledgling steps outside the nest, be positive. If your child sees you crying or fretting, you’ll make them uneasy about the whole experience. Don’t keep running back when it is time for you to say goodbye, explain carefully that you’re about to go and you’ll be back to collect them when preschool is over. Do not start to leave and then get drawn back by tears or a trembling lip. Make dressing easy, put your child in clothes that are easy for them to pull on and off, especially is they are newly toilet trained, shoes with Velcro fastenings are also useful. Please don’t forget to leave a bag with spare clothes/nappies/wipes etc ensuring their name is clearly labelled on their bag. Procedure 1 st session - You will be invited to a play and stay session for one hour Please explore the setting, play with your child and have fun! You will also be given all documents to take home and complete. Please Ensure these forms are fully completed as your child cannot start at the setting until these are completed Once completed please make sure that these are returned for your next session. 2 nd Session - Parents to stay for half an hour with their child, then leave their child for half an hour then return to collect their child. 3 rd Session - Parent to leave child and go, we will ring you if there is a problem. The settling in period can be extended if necessary. Children, whose parents want them to stay for lunch, cannot leave them until after the settling in period, after this period they can do a trial session and if they are settled, they can then stay on a regular basis. Collecting your child We require you to provide a passport size photo of all people who are authorised to collect your child. If someone other than yourself is going to collect your child, please inform the staff member on the door as you enter the building so that details can be recorded in our collection book, this includes the person’s name, address and contact number and a description of the person, please also inform your child. If you have not informed us, we will ring you to confirm. If you have an emergency and ring to inform us of someone else picking your child up you will be given a code word to pass on to that person, so that we know it is the correct person. Only persons over the age of 16 are allowed to collect children from the Busy Bees Preschool. If you are going to be late collecting your child please ring and let us know, you will be charged a late fee of £5 for the first 15 mins, after their finish time, and then £1 per minute after that. Starting at the Busy Bees Preschool We want your child to be happy and safe with us. To make sure that this is the case, the staff will work with you to decide how to help your child settle into the Busy Bees Preschool. We do have a policy on settling in and a copy is available on request. We encourage children to gain the skills that help them to be independent and look after their own personal hygiene, i.e. hand washing, taking themselves to the toilet, taking off and putting on outdoor clothing. Please dress your child in clothes that are easy for them to manage themselves. We hope that you and your child will enjoy being members of the Busy Bees Preschool and that you both find taking part in our activities interesting and stimulating. The staffs are always willing to talk with you about your ideas and views and answer any questions that you may have. In after reading this prospectus and you wish to visit the group or add your child’s name to our waiting list, please feel free to contact Louise who is our admissions officer.