Parent help rota

Pre-School has a rota for parents (relatives or carers) to help at one or two sessions each half term. This sounds quite daunting, but has proved a really successful way for parents to see their child at play and watch their social development. Most parents find their involvement very rewarding and enjoy being involved in the daily fun of Pre-School. And most children are very excited when it is their parent or carer making the toast. If your child does seem unsettled by the novelty of having you in Pre-School please don't hesistate to give them all the attention they need.


A rota is put up on the noticeboard in plenty of time for parents to sign up to help on a suitable date for each half term. A Committee member (currently Rachel kay) helps to run the process smoothly so please speak to them if you're having problems with dates. If you are unable to join the rota at all a charge of £10 may be made to cover the cost of additional staff cover.


When you are the parent help for the first time the staff will guide you through what to do. You need to arrive with your child a little earlier than usual (around 9.15am) to help set up the day's activities and equipment and then make the staff (and yourself) a drink. Please be aware that unfortunately due to health and safety reasons it is not possible for your child to join you in the kitchen whilst you are preparing the drinks/snack. At 9.30am the session starts by taking the register followed by a physical activity – please feel free to get involved yourself for a short time. At about 9.45am it's a good time to start preparing the toast, apple, drinks and to clean the snack tables as the children go downstairs to have their snack at about 10.15am. The staff also welcome another drink and a bit of toast/apple at this time!

Once the children have finished their snack they head upstairs for their activities. It's your job then to clear away the plates etc, wash/dry up and clean all the surfaces including the snack tables. After this you can join everyone upstairs and see at first hand what activities the children do - you can get involved yourself perhaps by helping to write names on paintings, change aprons or maybe read stories! The activity session will finish about 11.35am. It would be great if you could help the staff tidy away the activities and wash any paint/glue pots that may have been used.

We hope you enjoy your experience as parent help. A detailed copy of the Parent Help Information Sheet can be found downstairs in the kitchen or is available from the Parent Help Rota committee member.