Baking shortbread, planting flowers and telling stories - there's plenty going on at the Peek-a-Boo Nursery in Fraserburgh. And it's not only the children having all the fun - parents and carers are getting involved too.
Founded in May 1996, Peek-a-Boo Nursery works in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and currently has 82 children between 2 and 5 years old on its register. Thanks to the dedication of its staff and the parents and carers who use the nursery, by 2005 Peek-a-Boo had twice been recognised by Investors in People and received a Gold Star award from the local press following a successful HMIE inspection. But never content to rest on their laurels, the staff at Peek-a-Boo wanted to further enhance the strong links between the nursery and its local families.
Parents as partners
Peek A Boo Nursery weekly report template (39 KB)Parental feedback showed that while families were pleased with the care and learning taking place at Peek-a-Boo, there was a need for more regular access to information on the children's development. As a result, the ‘Parents as Partners' programme was born. The programme is an innovative and collaborative approach including nursery staff, parents and carers, which allows families to keep abreast of their child's progress and improves links between home and nursery life.
Harnessing the support of Peek-a-Boo staff, the nursery allocated key workers who would each have responsibility for a small group of children and their families. Parents as Partners puts families right at the centre of their child's nursery experience by providing weekly reports, parent open days and plenty of opportunities for involvement. One parent explains:
'I think the weekly reports are a very good idea. I like to see what my child has for a snack each day. I think it's great to see what his favourite activities are during the week and also his responsibilities during the session and to see what the way forward is.'
Learning activities
As well as receiving weekly updates on their child's progress and 'Playpacks' which allow parents to link their child's home playtime with the current theme at the nursery, families have the chance to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty - quite literally.
Parents and carers are regularly invited into the nursery to take part in a series of fun learning activities which have included things like preparing a favourite recipe and then taking photos of the finished dish for a wall montage. Similarly, as the fairer weather approaches, plans are being put in place to invite families to lend a hand with planting strawberries and working in the nursery’s garden.
Nursery staff regularly collaborate with other learning providers to share good practice. The overall aim is to lay good foundations for each child which will build their confidence and provide the basis for a smooth and successful transition to school, when the time comes. While sowing seeds for the children's future, Parents as Partners also helps families on a day-to-day basis. As one mother sums up, 'It gives me information to discuss with my child and means I can give really positive praise.'
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