Under Fives Roundabout runs a Pre-School group, Playgroup and a Toddler Group in Cambridge. We have been successfully operating since 1985.
Under Fives Roundabout has now moved to our new home at the Mayfield Primary School Site at the end of Warwick Road for the Autumn 2008 term.
We are hoping this website will soon be updated. To contact us please e-mail: enquiries@underfivesroundabout.org.uk, telephone (01223) 309066 or just call in to one of the sessions.
Under Fives Roundabout is a registered charity, Reg. Charity No 1027240, and a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. It is run by a staff of eight, six of whom are qualified to level 3 in preschool practice, and a committee of staff and parents. Please see our Ofsted Registration and latest report.
The links above and below have more information about our activities. If you would like any further information about us please email enquiries@underfivesroundabout.org.uk or just call in to one of the sessions.
Purpose - Under Fives Roundabout provides quality care and education for local children from 13 months through to school age.
Training plans - Sam Capes (Pre-School Leader) is currently studying for her Foundation Degree in Early Years Care & Education.
Meeting local need - Our parent and toddler group provides support for young families and introduces younger children to a structured group. Go back to the top
Our Toddler group runs on three mornings (Monday, Tuesday and Friday). It caters for children over 13months and their carer, younger siblings are also welcome. There are a maximum of 18 children in the group and the Leader guides the children and adults through the mornings activities.
Our Playgroup runs on five mornings. It caters for children from age 2years 9months up until their pre school year. There are a maximum of 12 children in the group with 2 qualified and experienced staff and a parent helper.
Our Pre-school Group runs on five mornings and afternoons. It helps prepares children for school. There is a maximum of 22 children in the group with 3 qualified and experienced staff and a parent helper.
There is also a lunch club for the over threes to which children bring their own lunch.
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We provide a staffing ratio in line or higher than the requirements of the National Standards for Day Care to ensure that children have sufficient individual attention and to guarantee care and education of a high quality. Our staff are extremely well qualified and we carry out checks for criminal and other records through the criminal records bureau in accordance with statutory requirements. All staff have job descriptions which set out roles and responsibilities and in addition to informal discussions, we carry out annual appraisals of all staff at the beginning of the summer term. Please see Staffing and Employment Policy in the Policies section for more detail.
Committee members and staff attend Management committee meetings every half term in the evenings. Staff meet half termly to plan and discuss other issues, each group meets informally weekly to go through short term plans. Go back to the top
We are fortunate to have a number of regular volunteers and students on placements. As part of our commitment to quality, we offer placements to students undertaking early years qualifications and training. A daily register for staff and children is kept in Playgroup and Pre-School, detailing any visitors and volunteers present with their arrival and departure times. Please see Student Placement Policy in the Policies section for more details. In order to maintain a staffing ratio higher than the requirements of the National Standards, we ask that Playgroup and Pre-School parents help for a few sessions each term (relative to the number of days attended). Helpers can be mums, dads, grandparents, relatives, nannies, childminders etc. When helping we would like you to:
Help set up activities.
Help with snack time and washing up.
See what is going on each half term.
Join in.
Assist the children in their activities.
Have fun.
Help clear activities away.
Sing loudly when required.
Assist staff as directed.
We communicate with parents in a number of ways:
Group booklets set out vital information for new parents.
Half termly newsletters keep parents up to date with events and fundraising.
Termly helper rotas with contact details.
Letters/ notes home from Leaders about specific news/events for your childs group.
Notices on individual Group noticeboards (outside Playgroup and Pre-School) and main noticeboard (in foyer on wheels).
Informal feedback from staff at end of sessions.
For a more private discussion about a specific issue or concern, please do not hesitate to speak to your leader to arrange a telephone call at a mutually convenient time.
Group Reps provide a link to the Management Committee, they will make announcements and can be contacted regarding Committee issues. Go back to the top
AUTUMN TERM
First day of term Monday 8th September
Half Term Finish Friday 24th October
Return Monday 3rd November
Last day of term Friday 19th December
SPRING TERM 2009
First day of term Tuesday 6th January
Half Term Finish Friday 13th February
Return Monday 23rd February
Last day of term Friday 3rd April
SUMMER TERM 2009
First day of term Tuesday 21st April
Closed for May Day on Monday 4th May
Half Term Finish Friday 22nd May
Return Monday 1st June
Last day of term Thursday 16th July
Teddy bears picnic Friday 17th July
For further information please see our Chair's 2007 Report, Accounts 2006-2007, Operational Plan, Policies document and Standards document.
Home | Toddler Group | Playgroup |Pre-School | Committee | News | Shopping | Links | Relocation
For further information, e-mail: enquiries@underfivesroundabout.org.uk
telephone: (01223) 309066
or write to: Under Fives Roundabout, Warwick Road, Cambridge, CB4 3HN
Under Fives Roundabout