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Parent Questionnaire Results 2013

Firstly I would like to thank you for participating in our survey. Every year we conduct a survey to gain a better understanding of the thoughts and feelings of our Parents. The Partnership between St. Mary’s Pre-school and its parents is integral to the development of our provision of early year’s education and care.

The objectives were to gain a better understanding of thoughts and feelings of parents which we collected anonymously to ensure that we received honest thoughts. We constructed the survey in 3 parts. Part 1 wanted to know why you chose St. Mary’s as an early years provider, how long you have been attending, how your welcome was, what information you were supplied with and how it was given, the settling in procedure, Fee’s and Early Years Funding. Part 2 was sought an understanding on what you thought about happiness of your child, education access, knowledge and home-learning, key worker, safety and complaints. Finally, in part 3, we wanted to know your thoughts on communication, volunteering and your thoughts on things that we should continue, start or stop doing.

We collected the majority of our data via ‘Survey-Monkey’ and all recipients received an email invitation via this website asking them to respond to the survey. There was also a link to the survey from on our website which was used by a small minority of the respondents. Although we had some printed copies of the survey no-one responded in this way.

The response rate was 29 out of 36 invitees.

Results: Part 1

23%

55%

4%

4%4%

9%

How did you hear about us?Previous Sibling Word of Mouth Open MorningWebsite From Burford Walking /driving past

32%

23%

32%

13%

Why did you decide to send your child to St. Mary's Pre-school?

Location /links to Burford Atmosphere Reputation Sibling

96.55%

3.45%

Were you given a warm welcome?

YesNo

15%

17%

24%24%

19%

As a new parent were you supplied with information about the pre-school (tick all that apply).

Education Programme/Outlook Policies Names of staff

Name of keyworker Opening hours Term timesFees/funding

44%

56%

contined……

Term times Fees/funding

The comments received relating to this question were very general and in response to them we have put up new/updated pictures of current staff, the website has been updated and improved and is under constant review (including term dates, session times and hours). We are reviewing our starter pack information at the moment in response to these comments.

37%

35%

21%

7%

How was this information supplied? Tick all that apply

Verbally In writing Email Website

100%

Were you given the opportunity to settle your child into St. Mary's the way that suited you?

Yes

Parents felt that staff were helpful in the settling in process. Parents did not feel rushed to leave and felt comfortable that they had enough time to settle children.

68%

32%

Does your Child acess the 15 hours of Early Education Funding (EEF) for 3 year olds?

Yes No

7%

93%

Do you think the fees at pre-school are….

Too High About Right Too Low

Part 2

61%

39%

My child enjoy's going to St. Mary's?

Strongly agree Agree

11%

61%

21%

7%

I feel that I know what my child is learning at St. Mary's

Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Stronly disagree

41%

48%

4%4% 4%

I feel that I know my child's key worker

Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree

7%

18%

20%

55%

I feel I can contribute to my child's record and individual learning plans.


I feel I can contribute to my child’s record and individual learning plans…

In relation to this question we have already implemented a new profile form for parents to record thoughts on children’s achievements and development whilst at preschool. This form also allows staff to gain a greater understanding and plan more effectively based on their interests and needs. It also makes us aware of their achievements outside pre-school, such as swimming and clubs and skills being practiced at home.

25%

61%

11%4%

I feel that I can discuss my child's daily routine and progress regularly


18%

54%

21%

7%

I feel that I understand how to reinforce learning at home.


39%

57%

4%

I feel that my child can acess a good range of equipment and materials at St. Mary's


63%

37%

I feel that my child is safe at St. Mary's


93%

7%

If you had a complaint, would you know who to approach?

Yes No Not Sure

Parents felt that greater communication on activities was needed, greater communication between key worker and parent and greater communication on supporting learning at home. Please see the report summary at the end of the report.

Part 3

93%

3% 3%

I feel Welcome and at ease at St. Mary's

Yes No Not Sure

97%

3%

2. I feel well informed about pre-school activities e.g. out-ings and fundraising events

Yes No Not Sure

77%

19%

4%

I have been encouraged to offer my skills to help with the running of St. Mary's through the committee or parent rota

Yes No Unsure

Most of you felt that you have been approached to offer your skills to assist in the running of pre-school. We have done this through our initial starter pack and then through emails. For the coming year we currently have the secretary and PR role open and also space on our fundraising team.

25%

51%

25%

How do you prefer to be informed about pre-school (tick all that apply)

Newsletter Email Noticeboard

Question 5continued: If we changed the Newsletter format how do you think we could improve it? The majority of parents felt that the the newsletter should stay the same.

Part 4What do you think we should start doing? Some of you commented that our communication could be better, whether it is about topics, news from the day/week, show and tell or via our noticeboard in the porch. Some of you also commented that our verbal feedback of progress could be improved. Other things that were mentioned were; more singing and dancing, more trips, open evenings and structured sessions for our older children. You also commented on us giving more knowledge on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and better introduction to new or cover staff.

What do you think we should stop doing? Some of you mentioned that we should stop giving nappies back and playing with shaving foam and flour. You also requested us to stop putting lunch rubbish back into your child’s lunch boxes.

What do you think we should continue doing? You and your children enjoyed growing the caterpillars and think we should continue doing this and also; advertising on events, stories and songs, supply a variety of activities that stimulate the creativity and diversity of the children, making a happy and comfortable environment, variety of off-site trips, music and garden activities. You also commented on how nice it was to receive and review progress in our ‘learning journeys’. You also thought we should continue to remember the toys that new starters enjoyed using and continue to bring these out when settling individuals.

Are there any other comments you would like to make?Overall you were all very pleased with the work that Genna and her team do within pre-school. We had some lovely comments regarding how our much older and current siblings have enjoyed pre-school. You mentioned how well children had settled and had been cared for. Some of you would be interested to know what the educational plans are during the term so that you could accommodate the learning at home with what is happening at pre-school, alongside a tidier writing table, more mark making and clear name writing on children’s work. Many of you would like it to stay as a pre-school and not turned slowly into a nursery. All of you though wanted to thank Genna and her team for the great environment that they provide.

Recommendations and action plansThank you for giving your time completing the survey. To summarise, we feel that you are generally happy with the pre-school and how it is operating. However, we are keen to continuously improve the pre-school to keep us ensuring the good, fun educational experience continues. Set out below are the areas we feel reflect your thoughts on where we need to develop.

Our action plan is as follows:Part 1:

When children are starting with us parents/carers should be provided with an information sheet with all relevant information on it. This would include: Name list of staff and photos. Committee names, contact numbers, term dates.

Up to date website with all the relevant information needed. Part 2:

Develop our communication, in general. Develop further a ‘Supporting Learning from Home’ dialogue between staff and parents.

Greater communication between keyworker and parents/carers – especially during staff changes.

Clear information on activities within pre-school upon notice board. Part 3:

Create a new parent rota to give parents, grandparents and carers further opportunities to help in pre-school.

Arrange an evening to give existing and new parents more information on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and re-iterate the benefits to children when parents help.

Part 4: The key action points from this section were:

Improvement of communication, verbal with regards to progress and written, for example on notice board with daily activities.

More understanding on the EYFS

Overall Actions: Greater communication and relationships with keyworkers, verbal

and written communication with relation to progress and activities. Thorough and up to date information on website. Information sheet for new starters. EYFS – information evening to inform parents of the overall scheme

and to assist knowledge on supporting learning at home. We always encourage parents to help within all areas of pre-school

via the parent-led committee, all events and within a pre-school session (once your child has settled well). We would like to increase our number of parent helpers and parents attending coffee mornings, so please keep an eye on our notice board and emails for more information on this. We realise that parents/carers are very busy people however children love having you involved and active within pre-school.

Actions that are unable to be rectified straight away (reasonable adjustment):

Some of you brought up that you disliked having to take nappies home with you. We do not do this through choice, we are unable to put nappies into the black church bin due to the potential environmental health issue. To be able to put nappies in a bin we need to apply for a separate bin from the council and pay an additional fee, which may be a cost we need to pass onto parents. We will investigate and report back to you regarding this.

Lunch rubbish – we believe that it is important for you as parents/carers to know what your child has or hasn’t eaten. If we threw uneaten food away there is no information going home. However, we do realise that it can be left in a messy state so we will try and minimise this.

Once again many thanks for your support. If you feel that we have missed anything or if you have any ideas that could help us in our mission to provide the best possible experience then please do not hesitate to contact one of the committee.

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