Role of Parents

Research shows that children learn better when their parents are involved. We operate a rota system that involves all parents or significant carers in helping the group on a regular basis (parents are expected to help at approximately two Pre-School sessions per half term). This helps to maintain a high ratio of adults to children and also gives parents the opportunity to take an active role in the group. In this way, parents are able to share their many and varied talents with the children, thus enriching the curriculum.

Parents are also encouraged to take part in the management of the pre-school by serving on the pre-school committee. The Pre-School is run by an elected committee of parents which means that decisions are made by the parents using the group. The committee, which is part of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, undertakes a range of functions, from managing the resources that support the pre-school to overseeing the quality of pre-school provision.

Parental involvement is particularly active in Christow Pre-school. This has a number of benefits. New parents to the group are joining an existing and very friendly committee which provides useful social networks not only for the children, but also for their parents! We have also been extremely successful in raising funds to support the pre-school. In 2002/2003 alone, we raised nearly £20,000, all of which has gone into improving the pre-school. This means that our premises and equipment are of an exceptionally high standard.

The Pre-School parents created a desert island garden for the children and a vegetable plot. The design for the desert island garden included a willow hedge, walk-ways hidden by bamboo and other soft grasses for the children to wander through, a palm tree, boat and beach hut. All of the structural work to create the garden and planting was undertaken on a community basis. In September 2006 a new wooden deck was added to the Pre-School with continued dedicated help from parents. We also altered the inside of the Pre-School to have it completely open plan and added a door to give direct access to our garden. These additions have transformed the play space available.