Category Archives: Council Info

Early Learning and Childcare Parent and Carer Consultation Nov–Dec 2016

pp-consultation

All families in Perth & Kinross with babies, under fives and school aged children are encouraged to give their views on

  • the future delivery of Early Learning and Childcare (formerly known as Pre-School Education)
  • their experience of arranging and using childcare services
  • their anticipated needs around childcare in the future

You can complete the online survey by going to  ELC Parent & Carer Consultation 2016

The survey will close on 31 December 2016.

Paper copies of the survey form are available from all Local Authority Nursery Classes and on request from
Tel 01738 472350 Email childcare@pkc.gov.uk or
Childcare Strategy Team, Community Wing, Perth Grammar School, Gowans Terrace PERTH PH1 5AZ

Read Write Count

rwc_small_version_3

Read, Write, Count: Together it’s fun

The Read, Write, Count Campaign (for P1 – P3 pupils and their families) has recently launched with a TV advert which will run through the month of February. The ad is part of a campaign to encourage parents to spend more time doing fun literacy and numeracy activities with their children. There will also be adverts on large outdoor poster sites, on trolleys in Asda and in digital advertising. Read, Write Count has an excellent website www.readwritecount.scot, a Facebook page and twitter account. Simply search for ReadWriteCount, like and follow.

Perth & Kinross Council is celebrating the launch of the National Read, Write Count Campaign which is aimed at the parents of children P1-P3. Storyteller Gerard Durkin will be entertaining families at the North Inch Community Library on Saturday 6 February 2016, between 11.00 a.m. and 12 noon. This event is free to children and their families. Places must be booked by contacting the North Inch Community Library. (01738 454406). Promotional gifts will be handed out to families on the day.

School Term and Holiday Dates 2015 – 2016

School term and holiday dates 2015 – 2016

Autumn Term 2015

Term Starts: Tuesday 18 August 2015

Term Ends: Friday 9 October 2015

Autumn Holiday: Monday 12 October 2015 – Friday 23 October 2015

Winter Term 2015

Term Starts: Monday 26 October 2015

In-Service Days: Thursday 19 November 2015 and Friday 20 November 2015

Term Ends: Friday 18 December 2015

Christmas Holiday: Monday 21 December 2015 – Monday 4 January 2016

Spring Term 2016

Term Starts: Tuesday 5 January 2016

In Service and Occasional Holidays: Wednesday 17 February – Friday 19 February 2016

Easter Weekend: Friday 25 March 2016 and Monday 28 March 2016

Term Ends: Friday 1 April 2016

Spring Holiday: Monday 4 April 2016 – Friday 15 April 2016

Summer Term

Term Starts: Tuesday 19 April 2016

Term Ends: Friday 1 July 2016

Notes:

Easter Sunday – 27 March 2016
School Session 2016/17 will commence on Monday 15 August 2016 for Staff and Tuesday 16 August 2016 for Pupils.

Early Learning and Childcare Parental Consultation

The summary of results of the Early Learning and Childcare Parental Consultation that took place 28 November – 19 December 2014 is now available. Please see the link and the attachment.

The aim of this consultation was to understand families’ different needs and preferences for Early Learning and Childcare, to help shape the way that this is delivered across Perth and Kinross Council.

http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/10190/Early-Learning-and-Childcare-Parental-Consultation

Strengthening Families

Strengthening Families

 

What’s it all about?

The Strengthening Families Programme is a 7 week programme that helps families with young people aged 10 years old to prepare for their teenage years.

Becoming a teenager can be a challenging time for young people and parents alike.

Strengthening Families is proven to support both parents and young people through this time of change.

 

What happens?

Each session is held in the evening and lasts for 2½ hours.

During the sessions you learn by watching DVDs, taking part in activities and discussions. In the first hour parents and young people meet in their own groups to take part in activities with group facilitators. In the second hour everyone comes together again to be involved in family activity. An evening meal is provided for all the family and crèche and transport is also available.

What are the benefits?

Parents and carers

With each session your confidence will grow as you…

  • Learn about different ways to support your young person; and
  • Learn how to set boundaries as they get older.

Most of all, Strengthening Families helps your whole family to experience your young person’s teenage years more positively.

Young people

With each session your confidence will grow as you..

  • Develop skills for handling peer pressure, which helps to avoid problems such as drugs and alcohol;
  • Develop skills in learning how to better appreciate the feelings of others; and
  • Learn how to set your own goals for the future, helping you to achieve greater success when you move onto secondary school.

Your whole family

By the end of the 7 week programme you will have a much better understanding of each other’s strengths and qualities, helping you to become much stronger as a family and better able to support each another.

 

How can I access this programme?

The programme will be running in:

  • Fairfield Community Centre, Royal School of Dunkeld from Monday April 27th
  • Glenearn Campus, and Strathearn Campus from Tuesday April 28th
  • Community Connect Rattray from Wednesday 29 April
  • Loch Leven Campus from Thursday 30th April

If you would like to join in the programme just complete an application form which you can get from school or contact:

Evidence2 Success 01738 477836, e mail evidence2success@pkc.gov.uk or visit the website www.pkc.gov.uk/strengtheningfamilies

Primary School Enrolment

If your child will be five before 28 February 2016 then it is time to enrol them for school.

 

If your child will be five on or before that date, you must register your child to start school during the registration week from 12 January 2015 to 16 January 2015.

The next school session begins on Tuesday 18 August 2015.

What happens if my child is five between 19 August 2015 and 28 February 2016?

These children are eligible to start school on Tuesday 18 August 2015 and you should register your child for primary school.

However, nearer to the start of the school year you may wish to  delay your child’s entry to school [737kb] if you think that they are not ready to start. You should discuss this with staff at your child’s nursery who will be able to help you make the best decision for your child. If you decide to delay your child’s entry to primary school you will be able to withdraw your child’s registration form.

It would be appreciated if you could make this decision by 31 May 2015.  Further information on deferred entry is available from all primary schools.

How do I register my child for primary school?

Each school has a defined zone known as a catchment area, and offers places in that school to pupils resident within that area.

You should visit your local catchment area primary school during the January registration week to register your child.  When you register your child you will need to take your child’s birth certificate and also your 2014/2015 Council Tax demand notice and a recent utility bill as proof that you live permanently at your address, as well as completing the  registration form [226kb]. The  registration form is also available in Polish [389kb] and  Romanian [253kb].

Nursery Places for 2 yr olds

Early Learning and Childcare – two year old places

Strong Start places for 2 year olds.

Nursery Exterior

 

The government has committed to providing 600 hours of free Early Learning and Childcare for eligible two years olds whose parents meet certain benefits criteria. This must be in place by 31 October 2014 across Scotland. In Perth and Kinross we are calling these places Strong Starts and they will be available from August 2014.

Eligible children will join our Strong Start programme and will be able to access a maximum of five mornings or five afternoon sessions a week. Each session will be approximately 3 hours 10 minutes with start times agreed with individual schools.

Some two year children may be eligible for a place if a parent is receiving any of the following benefits:

  • Income support
  • Jobseekers Allowance (income based)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (income based)
  • Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance
  • State Pension Credit

For more information, see the Council website here:

http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/9572/Early-Learning-and-Childcare—Two-Year-Old-Places-in-Perth-and-Kinross

Childcare and Family Information Directories

New versions of local Childcare and Family Information Directories are now available to download from www.pkc.gov.uk/families.  Documents have been produced for five areas:- Blairgowrie and Strathmore; Crieff and Strathearn; Kinross; Highland Perthshire and Perth and Surrounding Areas. 

Each directory includes details of a wide range of services, groups and organisations in the local area that we hope will be of interest to families and to professionals working with parents, carers and children. 

If you know of any other services which it would be useful to include or come across anything in the directories that is inaccurate then please let us know.  Documents will be updated no less than once annually and entries are kept up to date on the national website www.scottishfamilies.gov.uk.

This set of directories complements the information available in the Perth & Kinross Childcare and Family Information Directory which was published in March 2013.  Copies of this area wide document are being distributed to families through Bookbug packs and Family Information Points and are available on request from the Childcare Strategy Team Tel 01738 472350 E-mail childcare@pkc.gov.uk.

Childminder Pre Registration Training

There is a shortage of childcare provision in most rural areas of Perth & Kinross and in some parts of Perth City.  Childminders are the ideal type of service to fulfil demand, particularly to provide before and after school care for children attending smaller primary schools.

The Council’s Childcare Strategy Team organises childminder Pre-Registration Training courses for anyone who might be interested in becoming a childminder.  Previous experience of working with children is not required. 

For details of current courses or for information on childcare options in the local area, phone the Childcare and Family Information Service on 01738 472350 or e-mail childcare@pkc.gov.uk.  Full details are also available on www.pkc.gov.uk/families or www.scottishfamilies.gov.uk