Handbook 2019-20

Gibshill Children’s Centre

Handbook 2019-20

Welcome to Gibshill Children’s Centre

Gibshill Children’s Centre has been on this site in Gibshill since the 1970’s. It was initially an Urban Aid Funded Project and was then taken over by Education Services. In 2000, the Centre was substantially upgraded and we now have a beautiful, bright, airy building.

The Centre provides a high standard of care and education which we hope that you will become aware of when you visit. We believe that close links between Home and Centre are essential and that working in partnership with you will provide the best service for you and your child.

We believe in nurturing an environment where children and adults will feel safe, secure and happy. We will value their individuality, abilities and skills and ensure that their achievements are celebrated.

This handbook gives you information about the Centre, however if there is any further information you require please do not hesitate to approach myself or any member of staff.

We look forward to working alongside you in providing a happy, exciting and challenging experience for your child when attending our Centre.

Janine Burns Head of Centre

CONTENTS Page Aims and values Staff Session times, Age range of children, Centre Security, Car Park, Fund Money Admissions, Transition, Settling in period, Wrapround Service Term time holidays Our Curriculum & Transitions The four Capacities Literacy & English Mathematics Science Expressive Arts Health & Wellbeing Religions & Moral Studies Social Studies Technologies Special Events How We Promote Learning within the Centre Eco Schools & Green Charter Additional Support Needs, GIRFEC Equal Opportunities Data Protection, Care Inspectorate, Child Protection Information in emergencies, Fire evacuation, Emergency contacts, Accidents Attendance, Medicine, Medical & Health care, Smoking Suitable clothing Promoting positive behaviour, Meals & snacks Parents & Home School Link Parent’s Council & Complaints Important Addresses

Inverclyde Council Education Service’s Direction Statement and Core Values

Education Service’s direction statement: ‘Building Inverclyde through excellence, ambition and regeneration’

OUR VISION

‘Our vision is to ……. G get it right for every child I involve our local community in all we do B build on prior knowledge and experience S support and nurture individual children and their families H holistically develop children and families I include partner agencies when appropriate L learn and develop new skills independently and from each other L learn in a fun and creative way

Our vision is linked to ‘Getting it Right for Every Child’ (see pg 20). Parents are encouraged to share their vision for their child’s learning and this is displayed on the vision wall and is used by staff as a basis for planning learning.

The vision is regularly updated by parents throughout the year and is at the core of everything we do in the Centre.

The Centre Staff

The staff who work with your children in the Centre are all trained professionals. The staff attend in-service training in order that they keep up to date with the current educational initiatives.

Head of Centre Janine Burns Clerical Assistant Gaynor Fanci

Depute Head of Centre Craig Burns Catering Assistant Jeanette Ellis

Nursery Teacher Irene Scott Janitor/ Cleaner Teresa Murray

Early Years Education and Childcare Officers Early Years Support Workers

Claire Frances McGuigan Gillian Hart Suzanne McAuslan Shannon Carruthers Michelle Ross Rona Keogh Susan Martin Margaret Lang Angela Fowler Heather Smith Vacancy

2 GIBSHILL CHILDREN’S CENTRE 2 SMILLIE STREET GREENOCK PA15 2NH Telephone:- 01475 715707 Email: [email protected] Website: http://gibshillfamily.inverclyde.sch.uk/

SESSION AGE RANGE OF CHILDREN We can accommodate 40 children per session in our 3-5 room and 15 children in our 2-3 room. We have places in the Centre for 2-3 year olds and 3-5 year olds. Morning Session: 8.45am – 11.55 a.m. Afternoon Session: 12.30pm—3.40pm There are a small number of 2.5 day placements and wraparound Placements which can be considered if you meet the criteria.

CENTRE SECURITY FUND MONEY

A security system operates at all times. Please press the RECEP- Parents are requested to make a contribution to the TION button, or follow the instruction at the door and someone will Centre of £2.00 per week, this supports bak- open it for you. ing activities, outings, transport, Christmas present etc. These costs are not met by the CAR PARK Local Authority, so we rely on the generosity of parents. The car park is for staff cars only. This is also our emergency exit if the building needs to be evacuated.

3 SETTLING IN PERIOD

For many children this will be their first experience of separation from you and it can be difficult for both you and them. To minimise this, we ask parents to spend time in the Centre with their child on their first day, which will be a short stay for both of you. The settling in procedure can vary from ADMISSIONS child to child depending on their individual needs. For children born in March to August, their entitlement commences in the August following their third birthday. Children are entitled to 600 hours of ENROLMENT nursery education ( pro rata depending on their birth date ) We hold enrolment sessions before your child is due to start The following table is the intake for nursery for the 2019/20: nursery. All children who are due to start in the Centre will be asked to come and visit for a informal information session and ADMISSION TO NURSERY tour of the building. You will also find out who your child’s keyworker is on this day. Children who are born between Admission Date (During the month of: ) 1st March – 31st August August 1st September – 31st December January 1st January – last day in February April

If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact the Centre. WRAPROUND SERVICE Gibshill Children’s Centre has limited places which are available to parents who are in employment, training or education.

The charge for this Service is £4.00 per hour which is payable directly to Inverclyde Council.

Further information about this service can be obtained at the Centre.

The Centre does not deal with the charges for this service. Parents and carers are invoiced directly by Education Services.

4 TERM TIME HOLIDAYS

First Term

Return Date for Pupils—Monday 19 August 2019 Second Term September Weekend— Monday 9 September 2019 Mid-term Holiday—Monday 10 and Tuesday 11 Febru- October Holidays ary 2020 Monday 14 October 2019 to Friday 18 October 2019 (inclusive) Return Date for Children—Thursday 13 February Schools Close– Friday 20 December 2019 2020 Children Return –Monday 6 January 2020 Schools Close—Thursday 2 March 2020 Return date for children—Monday 20 April 2020

Third Term:

May Day—Monday 4 May 2020 Schools Close– Thursday 21 May 2020 Children Return—Wednesday 27 May 2020 Schools Close—Friday 26 June 2020

IN-SERVICE DAYS: Thursday 15th August 2019 Wednesday 12th February 2020 Friday 16th August 2019 Tuesday 26th May 2020 Monday 21st October 2019

Our curriculum TRANSITION

We follow Curriculum for Excellence which is a new curriculum which spans ages 3-18. This document gives The key to effective transition is effective communication be- continuity as the Curricular Areas are the same throughout tween the early years establishment, school and parents. The the child’s education. transition process will begin early in the pre school year and continue into early primary 1.

There are 8 Curricular Areas which are: Transfer from Pre-Five Establishment to Primary School.

1. Health & Wellbeing Children are normally transferred between the ages of 4 ½ and 2. Mathematics 5 ½ years , although this may be negotiated 3. Literacy & English in exceptional circumstances 4. Technologies 5. Science At Gibshill Children’s Centre we have good links with 6. Social Studies local Primary Schools. We transfer information to the school 7. Religious & Moral Education when children leave at summertime in the form of a transition report. We also meet with teachers to discuss 8. Expressive Arts children’s progress.

Within these curricular areas there are lists of learning Buddies visit the nursery before the outcomes which we have broken down into children start to strengthen the link statements which tell staff and parents what children between nursery and school and give the children confidence in should be achieving. their new learning environment.

Please see Inverclyde Council Website for your designated schools contact information

Smillie Room 2 - 3 years This well-planned and sensitively thought-out environment encourages children to explore and investigate at their own individual pace. Staff observe and thereaf- ter plan according to the individual child’s stage of development. The national guidance, Pre-Birth to Three: Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families and the Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) approach supports and informs our staff in the delivery of the curriculum.

The experiences the children will be involved in are wide and varied and include:- water play books and puzzles playdough / tactile sand play physical imaginative play discovery play creative construction

The Rainbow Room 3 – 5 years In this playroom the values, principles and purposes of ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ influence our planning for children’s learning. Children’s learning is planned across eight areas:

Expressive Arts Religious and Moral Education Health and Wellbeing Science Literacy and English Social Studies Numeracy and Mathematics Technologies

Listed below are two useful websites that you may wish to visit:

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/ http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learningandteaching/earlylearningandchildcare/prebirthtothree/

Smillie Room Curriculum Planning

There is a strong relationship between early life experiences and how babies and young children develop cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically throughout their lives. The Early Years Framework states that:

‘It is during our very earliest years and even pre-birth that a large part of the pattern of our future adult life is set.’ (Scottish Gov- ernment, 2008).

Using the 3 areas from Building the Ambition: national Practice Guidance on Early Learning and Childcare document: Wellbeing, Commu- nication, promoting Curiousity, Inquiry and creativity. We plan individually for each child taking into account stages of development, likes / dislikes, interests and how they like to learn. This is in partnership with our children, parents / carers and any other agencies involved.

Should any children need challenge in their learning we will also use learning outcomes from the 3 cross cutting themes from the Cur- riculum for Excellence to offer opportunities for this. These are: Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and English and Maths and Numeracy.

We believe that young children need to feel safe and secure before they are ready to learn and develop. Promoting a nurturing environment through building positive relationships and attachments is key to this.

The four capacities

It is our aim that the children who attend Gibshill Children’s Centre will be successful in the Four Capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence which are listed opposite.

7 Literacy & English

We provide opportunities for the children to develop their literacy skills in all areas of the playroom through books, examples of print on display and opportunities to mark make. We have a book corner where there is a variety of books, both fiction, non-fiction and magazines for the children. We have an identified book of the month on which we focus to a greater degree. At the writing table children can explore a variety of resources enabling them to experiment with mark making. Outdoors we practice mark making using ice, snow and other mediums

“ Literacy is fundamental to all areas of learning as it unlocks access to the wider curriculum” A Curriculum for Excellence

8 Mathematics

The staff in the Children’s Centre use every available opportunity in all curricular areas to develop the children’s ability to use basic mathematics. The children develop a knowledge of number, shape, pattern and colour. Children will learn about money when visiting the local supermarket to buy snack or learn about seasons/time/daily routines throughout the nursery year.

“Learning mathematics gives pupils access to the wider curriculum and the opportunity to pursue further studies and interests” A Curriculum for Excellence

9 Science

We have Science boxes which can be used by members of staff in all areas of the room and we have science bags which extend the learning at home. These bags are for the children to take home to allow parents and children to experiment together. We have a designated area where children explore their knowledge of science however you will find children experimenting with forces outdoors, exploring living things and also learning about the properties of water indoors and out.

“Through Science children and young people develop their interest in, and understanding of the living, material and physical world” A Curriculum for Excellence

10 Expressive Arts

Children have opportunities to use their talents in expressive arts and to gain new knowledge and a deeper understanding of them when attending the Centre. There are opportunities to explore and experiment with a variety of media in the Art & Collage area. Our Music Area allows the children to gain knowledge about musical instruments and listen to a variety of music both classical and contemporary. Large Group Time gives the children opportunities to take part in action games, singing and dancing. Being part of a large group enables children who are not confident enough to have ‘centre stage’ to build up the confidence from the background until they feel able to take a lead part. We enter Inverclyde Music Festival.

“ The magic, wonder and power of the arts play a vital role in enabling children and young people to enhance their creative talent, appreciation and skill that, in turn, will inform their working and recreational lives” A Curriculum for Excellence

Health & Wellbeing

We promote daily physical activity in the Children’s Centre. The children take part in physical activity both indoors and out using a variety of equipment. The children take part in a football project with Greenock Morton Football Club.

We use the £2.00 fund money from parents to provide the children with good quality nutritious food and ensure that they drink either milk or water for snack. We do not encourage children to bring sweets, crisps or fizzy drinks to the Children’s Centre. The children take part in the toothbrushing programme which is supervised in Inverclyde by members of the Health Improvement Practitioner—Oral Health. Good health is not only promoted in the snack and physical areas but using songs and games it is promoted in all curricular areas by a well-informed and highly qualified staff team.

“Good health and wellbeing is central to effective learning and preparation for successful independent living” A Curriculum for Excellence

12 Religious and Moral Education Our Children’s Centre is non-denominational and we do not focus on any one religion but we ensure that the children develop an awareness of the religions and cultures which are evident in our local community. We put on a Nativity Play and focus on other religious festivals throughout the year. We concentrate on the promotion of fairness, equality and tolerance. We encourage the children to share with one another and to be caring towards each other, their family, the staff, the elderly, the insects and the wildlife in our garden. We do not accept children wearing sectarian football colours to the Centre and we do not encourage debate about football teams.

“Through developing awareness and appreciation of the value of each individual in a diverse society, religious and moral education engenders responsible attitude to other people. This awareness and appreciation will assist in counteracting prejudice and intolerance in issues such sectarianism and discrimination more broadly” A Curriculum for Excellence

Celebrating St Andrews Day with the local community. Singing Scottish songs, music & move- ment & listening to Scottish stories.

13 Social Studies

We encourage the children the develop an awareness of their extended family, the community they live in and the wider community that is Inverclyde. Throughout the year we take the children on trips outside Inverclyde and often focus on Scotland and our culture.

We have a beautiful outdoor area which has a variety of surfaces and shrubs. We encourage the children to grow plants and we develop their knowledge about wildlife by taking part in bird watching, bug hunting etc

“Through Social Studies, children and young people develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances, and how their environment has been shaped.” A Curriculum for Excellence

Technologies

We have computers, remote control toys, metal detectors, digital cameras, and lots of other technological equipment for the children to use in all areas of the room and in our outdoor area. This area of the curriculum also covers the use of scissors and being able to solve problems through their natural curiosity. Our CD Roms are bought for their educational content and the amount of time children spend at the PC is monitored to ensure all children have equal amount of access. We now have a Wii and the children enjoy using this not only with one another but with the staff too. This encourages the children’s social and physical development.

“Children and young people can develop their creativity and entrepreneurial skills and be encouraged to become innovative and critical designers of the future. These attributes are essential if our children and young people are to play a major part in the global economy and embrace technological developments of the 21st century.” A Curriculum for Excellence

Special Events

We celebrate special events such as Burns Day, Chinese New Year and go on outings. We also hold fund raising events for both the Children’s Centre and a variety of charities. We annually enter the Inverclyde Music Festival.

On a weekly basis a small group of children visit the Ladies Group in the Commu- nity Centre and help with baking, crafts, Weekly Bookbug sessions with par- reading stories. ents / carers

Nurture Through Nature programme for parents / carers and children.

We invite our local Road Safety Officers to show us how to cross the road safely.

HOW WE PROMOTE LEARNING WITHIN THE CENTRE

The staff team work to create a secure learning environment which promotes learning. We have aspirations for your children and we want them to learn in a happy, bright environment with opportunities for taking part in exciting experiences using stimulating resources. We actively promote learning to the children by showing that as adults, we are constantly learning too.

Assessment

Assessment is integral to the daily routine of our Centre. It can occur as staff listen, watch and interact with a child or group of children.

“Assessment is an integral part of learning and teaching. I t helps provide a picture of a child’s progress and achievements and to identify next steps in learning” Building the Curriculum 5, A Curriculum for Excellence

During your child’s time at the Centre staff will gather information about your child, through observation, play and working within groups. This information is used to build an individual profile of what your child is learning and the achievements they have made. This profile is available for discussion and for entries about what children have learned at home by parents and carers on a daily basis and at specific parent events throughout the year. Our 3-5 year olds have an electronic profile which you can access at any time. You also have the ability to upload photographs and details of achievements out with the nursery which we can acknowledge and celebrate with you and your child.

You can view your child’s profile at any time—just speak to your child’s key worker.

Resources

The Centre has a wide range of resources which the children have access to. We are constantly looking for new and exciting equipment which will develop and challenge the children. Each member of staff is responsible for maintaining and up dating the resources associated within an area of the curriculum.

18 Eco Schools & Green Charter

"The Eco-Schools programme engages children and young people in key issues including the environment, sustainability, global citizenship and the value of a low carbon future. The growing numbers of Eco-Schools in Scotland is inspiring and I would like to congratulate everyone involved and encourage you all to keep doing all you can to reduce the carbon footprint of your school, home and community."

Last year we were awarded a Green Flag for our Eco Schools work. The children learn about important issues using the Eco topics at grouptime as well as throughout free play time. The Eco Schools topics are:

Litter & Waste Health & Wellbeing Transport

Information about our Eco Schools program is displayed on our Eco Information wall in the playroom and main corridor.

Our Work with the Community

We work with many different people in the community. The children visit Pottery Street Recycling Centre and have visits from the bin lorry driver/street cleaner during community clean day.

We will be working with Cornalees and Belville Gardens to learn about biodiversity

We work with a range of organisations to help us keep our garden beautiful.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT NEEDS

Through careful observation the key worker may identify children with an additional support need or perhaps requiring support with the challenges of attending the Children’s Centre. The Getting It Right For Every Child ( GIRFEC ) approach has been national policy in Scotland since 2010. Inverclyde Council have developed the Girfec pathway to support these children.

Initially strategies may be put in place to support children’s learning; these would be discussed with the parent. Further advice may be obtained through Educational Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, etc if necessary.

Every member of staff has a responsibility to support the learning of all children. The type of support offered will vary according to the needs of children. This includes consideration given to children who have a disability, children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, children with learning difficulties of a specific or general nature, children who are exceptionally able, those who demonstrate underachievement relating to gender issues, children whose learning has been interrupted through absence or illness, bilingual children who have English as an additional language, travelling children and those children whose family circumstances impact on attendance and learning.

If your child is identified as having additional support needs and requires a co-ordinated support plan, this can be requested by a parent from the education authority. A co-ordinated support plan is a statutory document which ensures regular monitoring and review for those children who have one. Mediation services are offered through Education Services. This can be accessed by contacting Grant McGovern, Head of Inclusive Education, Culture & Corporate policy at Education Services. For further advice please telephone 01475 712842

If you have a concern about your child please speak with your child’s keyworker or the Head of Centre

Partner agencies may be asked to offer support where necessary. For more information about the Additional Support for Learning Act and how it affects you please go to

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/additionalneeds/learningact/introduction.asp or www.inverclyde.gov.uk Www.enquire.org.uk Www.siaa.org.uk Www.sclc.org.uk/

GETTING IT RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD

As children and young people progress on their journey through life, some may have temporary

difficulties, some may live with challenges and some may experience more complex issues.

The Getting it right for every child approach ensures that anyone providing that support puts the child or young

person – and their family – at the centre.

The Scottish Government

‘Nurturing Inverclyde' aims to make Inverclyde a place which nurtures citizens of all ages, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to have a good quality of life and good mental and physical well-being.

Staff in the Centre use the GIRFEC approach to ensure all children’s needs are being met and that the needs of the family are put first when we work with our partner agencies.

An Information leaflet about GIRFEC is available in the Centre.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Inverclyde Education Service aims to:

Offer education of the highest quality to all young people within a developing culture of inclusion

Endorse the principles of inclusion, entitlement and equality of opportunity in the development of best practice

Value the diversity of interests, qualities and abilities of every learner

Believe that every child and young person is entitled to educational opportunities which enable the achievement of suc- cess and further development of the individual’s learning potential within the least restrictive environment

Affirm the right of all young people to have access to the highest quality of educational provision which is appropriate to learning needs, is supportive of the young person and is delivered in partnership with young people, parents and the wider community

In meeting the needs of all of our pupils we will demonstrate no discrimination on the basis of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. This encompasses curricular, extra curricular and playroom activities and is foremost in the attitudes which we develop in our pupils.

The Equality Statement for Inverclyde Establishments

‘Inverclyde Education Service is committed to ensuring that no children or members of staff or service users receive less favorable treatment on any ground including gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief. We have a moral, social and legal obligation to mainstream and put equality at the heart of everything we do. We aim to promote a culture in which equality of opportunity exists for all. We are opposed to all forms of discrimination, direct or indirect, and aim to eliminate all discriminatory practices. We will ensure that, in our schools and other educational establishments, equality permeates the curriculum and underpins all our policies and practices in terms of access to education. We must ensure that all our children achieve their full potential to develop physically, emotionally and academically. Finally, we believe that equality and inclusion should be a given right, where everyone is valued and treated with respect.’

CHILD PROTECTION

Inverclyde Council Education Services has Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures which all schools and establishments are required to follow. Education Services work very closely with other agencies namely Strathclyde Police, Social Work Services, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and the Children’s Reporter to support children. Common responsibilities of all staff are to protect children from abuse and exploitation, to respond appropriately when abuse is identified, and to ensure whenever possible that all children are able to exercise their right to be raised in a warm, stimulating and safe environment with the support of staff, their families and carers.

If a member of staff has any concerns regarding a child’s safety and protection it is our statutory duty to report these concerns to the appropriate agency. All actions taken are in the interest of the child. Further information leaflets for parents regarding Child Protection are available from the Centre.

General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018 Care Inspectorate

Information on children, parents and guardian is stored on a The children’s centre is inspected regularly by the computer system and may be used for teaching, registra- Care Commission, using the National Care tion, assessment and other administrative duties. In pro- Standards for Early Education and cessing personal information, Inverclyde Council must comply Childcare as indicators of good practice. Parents are with the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Pro- consulted during the inspection and your views of the service form tection Act 2018. part of the report. A copy of the report is in the foyer and copies are available. For further information please refer to https:// www.inverclyde.gov.uk/site-basics/privacy or click on the following: Privacy page link

INFORMATION IN EMERGENCIES

We make every effort to maintain a full educational service, but on some occasions circumstances arise which lead to disruption. Establishments may be affected by, for example, severe weather, temporary interruption of transport, power failures or difficulties of fuel supply.

In such cases, we shall do all we can to let you know about the details of closure or re-opening. We shall keep you in touch by using letters, notices in local shops and community centres, announcements in local churches and announcements in the press and on local radio as well as on Inverclyde Councils website.

FIRE EVACUATION EMERGENCY CONTACTS In event of a fire causing the Centre Parents are asked where possible to provide the to be unsafe to return to, the staff Centre with names, addresses and telephone will evacuate the children to numbers of two contact person’s for use in case Inverclyde Centre for Independent of an emergency. It is important parent’s can be Living, 10-16 Gibshill Rd, Greenock, contacted and you are asked to keep the Centre PA15 2UT. up-to-date with any changes in this information or you own address and telephone number.

ACCIDENTS

Although the utmost care with regard to safety is taken, accidents do occasionally happen. First Aid is administered, when needed, by any member of the staff team.

23 ATTENDANCE MEDICINE

All children are entitled to 2.5 hour sessions per day. We On enrolment you will be asked to give information about your would encourage parents and carers to use the place allocated child’s health. It is important that the Centre is kept at all times. It is important that you phone the Children’s informed if your child is on any medication or has any Centre before 10am on the first day of your child’s absence. allergies. If parents wish medicine to be administered during There is a leaflet nursery session, it must be doctor prescribed. Please speak to regarding absence of children which explain this procedure and the Head or Depute Head of Centre if you require further also one about common children infections. information. Please note: A lengthy unexplained absence may result in your Medicine may only be retained in the Centre at the discretion child’s place being withdrawn. of the Head of Centre. ONLY MEDICINES WHICH ARE GIVEN TO A CHILD TO If your child becomes ill at the Centre you will be contacted ENSURE THAT THEY CAN FUNCTION NORMALLY WILL BE immediately. If you cannot be contacted the Centre will then GIVEN IN THE CENTRE. Eg Ventolin Inhaler or creams for contact the emergency number provided on your child’s eczema. enrolment form.

MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE The Centre takes part in the tooth-brushing programme which was initiated by Argyll & Clyde Health Board. Your child will have the opportunity to brush his or her teeth daily. NHS staff also carry out fluoride varnishing in the Children's Centre. Eye Screening is carried out in the Centre in your child’s pre-school year.

Parental Consent forms are required to be completed for the tooth-brushing and eye screening.

SMOKING POLICY

Inverclyde Council operates a NO SMOKING POLICY in all establishments in line with the new ‘Smoking Law 2006’ therefore smoking is not permitted in any area of the Centre.

SUITABLE CLOTHING

We would ask parents dress children in clothes suitable for all aspects of play, outdoor and indoor.

There are forms of dress which are unacceptable in school, such as items of clothing which:

i. Potentially, encourage faction (such as football colours) ii. Could cause offence (such as anti-religious symbolism or political slogans) iii. Could cause health and safety difficulties such as loose fitting clothing, dangling earrings or clothing made from flammable material, for example shell suits in practical classes iv. Could cause damage to flooring v. Carry advertising, particularly for alcohol or tobacco and vi. Could be used to inflict damage on other pupils or be used to do so

The council is concerned at the level of claims being received regarding the loss of children’s’ clothing and/or personal belongings. Parents are asked to assist in this area by ensuring that valuable items and unnecessarily expensive items of clothing are not brought to the establishment. Parents should note that the authority does not carry insurance to cover the loss of such items and any claims submitted are likely to be met only where the authority can be shown to have been negligent.

Parents should note that the activities the children may become involved in may be restricted because health and safety requirements state that jewellery of any kind must not be worn where children are undertaking physical activities. This includes jewellery worn as a result of body piercing.

NURSERY T-SHIRTS, POLO SHIRTS & SWEATSHIRTS Polo shirts, sweatshirt etc are available to order with the Centre’s logo embroidered on them. A local company supply this clothing. More information can be found in our reception area.

25 Developing Positive Relationships

We aim to promote positive behaviour in the Centre by encouraging children to respect one another, to be tolerant, to share and negotiate with others. All members of staff work with the children in a fair and consistent manner. If a problem with a child’s behaviour becomes apparent staff will inform the parent or carer and hopefully we can work together to resolve it.

The Centre has a procedure for Positive Relationships which parents or carers are welcome to see at any time. Members of our staff team have successfully completed Mellow Parenting training and PPP parenting program. The knowledge gathered by these members of staff will be shared with the whole group in order to provide a consistent approach to all children.

Staff are continually learning about new methods when encouraging positive behaviour and have recently participated in attachment theory training which will help support all children within the Centre.

MEALS AND SNACKS

We promote healthy eating within the Children’s Centre as an important part of the curriculum. We provide a morning and afternoon snack, consisting of milk or water, fruit, vegetables, biscuits, cheese, toast, etc. The Centre follows the Nutritional Guidance for Early Years (Scottish Executive), and staff have been involved in the training for healthier life- styles.

Children who stay for lunch are provided with a healthy balanced meal. Special diets are provided for children when necessary and if preferred children can bring a packed lunch. In accordance with the National Guidance, ‘Setting The Table’, packed lunches are healthy and do not contain sweets, crisps or fizzy juice. We will provide milk or water for children who bring a packed lunch.

The Snack and Lunch menus are displayed on the Information Board in the playroom.

26 PARENTS

We operate an open door policy within Gibshill Children’s Centre. Parents and carers are always welcome to come and discuss any issues or concerns they may have with Head of Centre and staff within the Centre. Information will be passed on to you about your child regularly by your child’s key worker or another member of the staff team.

We have an Information Board which is updated regularly, information is also available on our website/twitter and we have a monthly Newsletter. We have three formal parent events within the year. One in the Autumn, one in February or March and one in June. Our parent’s Night in June is an appointment event where you will receive a short report about how your child is progressing and you will have an opportunity to view your child’s profile. Parents of children who are in their pre-school year will be given the Transfer of Information which is passed on to their child’s Primary 1 teacher and will also take home your child’s profile to keep as a record of your child’s learning while attending Gibshill Children’s Centre.

Your involvement within the Centre is welcomed; however we do understand that for many parents, due to work commitments, they cannot participate. We look for volunteers to be part of the Parents Committee, Eco Committee, help with the lending library and help in the garden.

HOME SCHOOL LINKS

We run a number of initiatives to encourage the link between home and school learning. We have lending library bags with maths activities included. Our younger children receive a lending library book on a weekly basis, children can take home a lending library book to encourage enthusiasm for reading.

27 Parents Council

Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement Act 2006) led to the establishment of Parent Councils in primary, secondary and special schools. The Act recognises the vital role that parents play in supporting their children’s learning. It places a duty on authorities to promote the involvement of parents in children’s education and the wider life of the school. It aims to help parents to be:-

 Involved with their child’s education and learning.  Welcomed as an active participant in the life of the school.  Encouraged to express their views on school education generally.

Gibshill Children’s Centre established a Parents Council in 2012. Parents can volunteer to be part of the council and information about the members is displayed on the parent council information wall in the hallway. Parents are involved with making decisions about the running of the Centre. The parents council meets once a term. Further information can be found on the Centre’s website

If you would like to be involved in making decisions and helping to raise funds for the Centre please speak to a member of staff.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

Any complaints regarding the Centre should be discussed with the Head of Centre. All information regarding complaints is available in the foyer of the Centre If a satisfactory solution is not reached, parent/carer will be referred to Inverclyde Council Education Department and The Care Inspectorate.

Director of Education : Education Services Care Inspectorate Local Office Inverclyde Council Central West Region Clyde Square 4th Floor Greenock 1 Smithhills St PA15 1LY 01475 717171 Paisley PA1 1EB Tele: 0141 843 4230

28 Important Addresses

You may wish to be aware of the following, addresses and telephone numbers;

Education Services Local Councillors Municipal Buildings Ward 2 – Inverclyde East Central Clyde Square Jim MacLeod SNP Greenock Carron Bungalow PA15 1LY Fyfe Park Road Tel: 07747 765839 Tel:- 01475 717171 Port Glasgow 01475 712305 Email: [email protected]

Drew McKenzie Independent 28 Princes Street Tel: 07768 474947 Port Glasgow 01475 712305 Email: [email protected] Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland:- 4th Floor Smithhills Street Robert Moran Scottish Labour Party Paisley 22 Wellpark Court Tel: 07795 641802 PA1 1EB Roxburgh Street 01475 712305 Tel:- 0141 – 843 – 4230 Greenock Email: [email protected]

Although this information is correct at time of printing, there could be changes affecting any of the matters dealt with in the document - (a) before the commencement or during the course of the school year in question (b) In relation to subsequent years.

29 Gibshill Children’s Centre, 2 Smillie Street, Greenock PA15 2NH Tel: 01475 715707

Although this information is correct at time of presenting, there could be changes affecting any of the matters dealt with in the document

(a) before the commencement or during the course of the school year in question (b) in relation to subsequent years