Introduction
Forncett Playgroup, also known as Little Tractors, is a Registered Charity (number 1024080) and has run since 1966. It is managed by a voluntary committee of parents and carers.

Aims
Our aims are to help the children :-

• Build a strong self-image and self-esteem
• To help children to co-operate, listen, communicate, and respond to each other and adults
• Develop attention skills and persistence
• Explore and enjoy a variety of books
• Explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings
• Become more independent
• Take risks and make mistakes
• Express fears and relive anxious experiences in a controlled and safe situations

We aim to create a partnership between staff at the group and parents/carers, so that we are able to work together to provide activities and stimulation to suit each individual child.

Our curriculum is based on the following early learning goals:-

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Mathematics
• Knowledge and understanding of the World
• Physical development
• Creative development

Times and Session Days

9.40 - 12.10 12.15 - 2.45 Monday Open Open Tuesday Open Open Wednesday Open No Session Thursday Open Open Friday Open No Session

Sessions run during school term times: Click for Norfolk County Council website.

School Links
The playgroup has links with Forncett St. Peter CE VA Primary School and Hapton CE VC Primary School; and is currently developing links with Aslacton Primary School.

Registration
The Playgroup Committee is registered as a Children’s Daycare Provider with Ofsted (Registration No 254068, date of registration 13/10/1992). This registration is to provide Sessional Day Care from within the Village Hall in Forncett St Mary and from the adjoining secure enclosed outdoor play area.

The Committee is Ofsted’s “Registered Person” and is entitled to arrange provision for up to twenty-four children at any one time. All children attending sessions must be over two years of age and under five years of age, and no more than eight children in any one session may be under three years of age.

Education
The Little Tractors Ofsted registration is to deliver Nursery Education and is in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.

Ofsted Inspection
Little Tractors was last inspected on 26 January 2007. This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000.

The inspection found:
On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection: The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

How You Can Help the Playgroup

• Joining the Management Committee (we always need new members).
• Bringing in items for crafts/cooking.
• Fundraising events.
• Donations of plain biscuits/breadsticks/crackers or reduced sugar squash help to keep fees low.

The Playgroup Committee
The Playgroup is run BY local families FOR local families: this is done on a voluntary basis and all offers of help are welcome.

The committee ensures that the major decision making is made by parents/carers of children in attendance and is responsible for reviewing Policy and Practice, Employment and Appraisal of staff. Our AGM is held in July each year when the committee for the following year is elected. Parents/carers are required to attend in order to meet our charity constitution.

As well as being responsible for the management of the Playgroup, committee members are also the Playgroup’s Charity Trustees.

Fees
Fees are payable half termly in advance.
From the term after their third birthday Children are eligible for free nursery education for up to five sessions (12.5 hours) per week. The fees for those ineligible for funded places are payable each half term in advance. For children eligible for funded places but not using the funding at our setting, the fee is the funded rate.

Parent Rota
Parents/Carers are also expected to help on a rota basis to set up, stay during the session and clear away when the session ends. If they are unable to do this an extra fee may be charged to cover extra staffing costs.