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| If your question is not answered here, please |
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| What
is Mooinjer Veggey? |
Mooinjer Veggey is an educational charity
which exists to promote knowledge and use of Manx Gaelic to
children from early years upwards. Since 1996, its main focus
has been to provide quality playgroups and nurseries where
children are exposed to Manx Gaelic, and, more recently in
supporting the Manx language school at St. John's, .
|
| What does Mooinjer Veggey actually
mean? |
Mooinjer Veggey (Mun-jer Vegg-a) is Manx
Gaelic for "Little People".
|
| What does Mooinjer Veggey do? |
Mooinjer Veggey runs registered playgroups
throughout the Isle of Man where children have the chance
to learn some Manx Gaelic. It also jointly runs the
Department of Education Nurseries at , and Schools,
and assists in the running of the at St. John's. Its playgroups, which are
based around the Island, are regularly inspected by the DHSS.
|
| What sort of organisation is Mooinjer
Veggey? |
We try to be friendly and open! Mooinjer
Veggey is a registered charity, limited by guarantee. It is
run by a voluntary committee of interested parents - past and
present. It employs qualified pre-school staff in its playgroups
and has its own Pre-School Officer who is a qualified and experienced
NNEB and Manx speaker.
|
| How are the playgroups run? |
All playgroups have at least 2 members
of staff, one qualified in child care whom is the overall leader.
We accept children from 2 years up to school age at the groups.
The emphasis is on play and there is a relaxed and friendly
atmosphere and good communications with home. Staff follow
a pre-planned Curriculum which is in line with the latest educational
advice. The timetable allows for a lot of different activities
and each group has a break for fresh fruit and juice in the
middle of a session. Copies of timetables, policies etc. are
available from leaders.
|
| How are the nurseries run? |
The nurseries are run in conjunction with
the DoE as part of their primary schools. Mooinjer Veggey employs
a teacher and qualified nursery nurse as stipulated by the
DoE. The class is free to children aged 3-4 years in the year
before starting big school. The adult:staff ratio is 1:10.
Staff follow the Foundation stage curriculum in a relaxed and
friendly way. They are required to implement Department policies
and work within the whole school context.
There is, of course, a strong Manx element here too. The children
use Manx in daily routines and learn it through songs and rhymes.
The staff are supported with this by the Education and Support
Officer.
Please contact the school for further information on how to enrol
your child and on whether he/she is eligible to attend.
|
| How do the children learn Manx? |
At all our groups children learn Manx
through songs and rhymes.
This happens as part of the normal playgroup activities in a
very relaxed manner. The same phrases are repeated constantly
so children quickly learn what to do and how to express their
needs.
|
| How much Manx do staff have? |
We employ staff who already have Manx
or are committed to learning it and using it in the groups.
Each group follows the Mooinjer Veggey Curriculum and
the children all learn simple songs, rhymes and basic phrases.
Braddan Playgroup is run entirely through Manx.
|
| How do children respond to the Manx? |
Most respond very well and all enjoy the
rhymes and songs whether at playgroup or Nursery. Some go on
to speak simple phrases. Using English /Manx half and half
sentences is a common stage some children go through on their
way to becoming fluent. Other children who attend regularly,
understand a remarkable amount of Manx but may say little at
first. All children are gently encouraged to do what they can.
They are never told off for using English.
|
| I do not speak any Manx. Is that
a problem? |
No, very few of our parents do. Many children
enjoy teaching their parents though and if you were interested
we can certainly point you in the right direction! Staff at
Mooinjer Veggey are always keen to help parents even if it’s
just to tell you how to say Good Morning! CD's of songs/ basic
phrases are available for interested parents to use at home.
Our termly newsletters keep you informed of what goes on.
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| Where can I find Mooinjer Veggey
playgroups? |
There are Mooinjer Veggey playgroups at
Braddan school house (adjacent to school), in Ballasalla Village
Hall, and in Rushen Youth Centre.
|
| When are the playgroups open? |
Every weekday morning in Braddan; Monday
and Wednesday in Port Erin; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
in Ballasalla. Each group is open 9.15 a.m - 12.15. Contact
Janice Quilliam, Pre-School Officer on 843147.
|
| How can I get involved? |
Any parent who would like to become a member of the company
and/or involved on the committee, or help with fund-raising,
should contact Helen Robinson on 801925.
|
| What happens during the session? |
The morning starts with free play from 9:15 to 9:45. Structured
activities, stories, rhymes and art and craft periods follow,
interspersed with free play. The children are offered fresh fruit
and juice at about 10:30.
The groups follow various themes throughout the term such as
Myself, Houses etc. Where possible the games, songs and stories
fit in with the theme, to re-inforce the vocabulary.
|
| How can I find out what goes on in
the groups? |
All our staff are friendly and will be happy to talk to
you about your child’s day at playgroup. The first morning
session usually involves thechildren choosing from various
free choice activities. The short session around register time
is more structured. Children get a chance to join in with Manx
rhymes and songs here. After break there is usual a different
type of activity on offer. On fine days children may go outside
to ride on trikes or they may do ball games inside. Usually
children have the chance to get involved in something messy
be it paint, sand, or mud, so be prepared!
|
| How do the playgroups prepare children
for school? |
Our leaders do not force a formal curriculum
on any child so you won’t findchildren pouring over worksheets
or studying their letters. However, a tremendous amount of
learning goes on through play. At Mooinjer Veggey, children
will learn how to listen to others, how to take turns, how
to make choices for themselves; skills which will help them
to make the most of the primary curriculum when the
time comes.
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| What happens to the Manx they know
when they go to school? |
Knowledge of the language will not disappear
but may lie dormant for a while. At present your child can
choose to learn Manx in primary school once they are at Key
Stage 2 (juniors) and can go on to study Manx to GCSE
and A level equivalent at secondary school. Alternatively children
can attend the at St. John's.
|
| How will you keep me informed? |
Parents will be given regular updates of Mooinjer Veggey activities
(Skeet), and of course parents are very welcome to discuss their
own child's progress with the leaders.
|
| When should I drop off and collect
my child? |
Please arrive as near to 9:15 as you can - especially during
the settling-in period for your child. The first structured activity
starts at 9:45 and all children are requested to arrive before
then if possible.
Please do not bring your child in before 9:15; staff will be
putting out the equipment.
Please also remember to collect your child on time. Children
(and staff) can become upset if this is not done!
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| What if my child is ill? |
Parents are asked not to bring their child to Mooinjer Veggey
when he/she is ill. Please inform the group leader if your child
is absent with any infectious diseases, so that we can inform
other parents of the possible risk to their children.
We are sorry we cannot administer any medication. If
your child has any allergies please do inform the group
leader and make sure you fill in the relevant medical
information on the registration form. Please remember
to keep us updated with the names and numbers of people
we can contact should your child become sick during a
playgroup.
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| What policies does Mooinjer Veggey
have? |
In line with all good playgroups, Mooinjer
Veggey staff run the groups in accordance with a number of
written policies and procedures. These are the same whichever
group your child attends. They range from the obvious but essential
such as dealing with fire hazards to other less obvious but
important matters such as ensuring your children are treated
fairly.
|
| When do I need to pay? |
We normally send you a bill for the whole term in advance.
This bill is based on which days you have told us you wish
your child to attend. At the beginning of term you pay the
Leader at each group and she will give you a receipt. (Any
cheques should be made out to Mooinjer Veggey.) If you cannot
pay the termly bill in a lump sum at the beginning of term,
you must talk to the group leader to arrange to pay half-termly,
monthly, or weekly in advance. If you receive a reminder about
fees due, please do act on it immediately as we may not be
able to guarantee your child keeps his / her place otherwise.
|
| What happens if I can’t afford
for my child to attend? |
If you think you may be eligible for assistance from the
DHSS towards paying your child's playgroup fees, you must contact
them yourselves. If an application is approved then Mooinjer
Veggey is notified in writing by the DHSS. In order for Mooinjer
Veggey to reclaim the fees owed from the DHSS, parents must
be prepared to sign certain paperwork confirming that the child
has actually attended sessions. Playgroup leaders are discreet
so please do not hesitate to discuss this with them.
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What happens if my child misses
sessions due to illness/ holidays?
|
Unfortunately we cannot refund fees paid if a child is absent
due to illness or any other reason. e.g. If you were paying weekly
and your child missed a week due to illness, on return to the
group you would need to pay for the previous week as well as
for the week ahead. This is because we still have to pay out
the same staff wages and other overheads whether or not your
child attends session.
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| How can I raise concerns? |
We hope that you and your child will be very happy with Mooinjer
Veggey, but if you should have any concerns plesae let us know.
A copy of the complaints procedure is on display at Mooinjer
Veggey.
We work hard to gain the confidence of parents / carers
and we take the care of their children seriously. however
, on rare occasions there may be differences of opinion about
how particular incidents have been handled.
Our staff are advised to abide by Mooinjer Veggey policy
at all times. but if you feel unhappy about the way something
is dealt with, the first thing to do is to bring it up
with the Playgroup Leader who will attempt to explain matters
or investigate matters further. Most issues can be resolved
quickly and easily at this stage.
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| How is the Child Protection Policy
implemented? |
We would like parents / carers to read the following section
carefully.
Our staff have attended Child Protection courses at which we
have been informed by the DHSS about our legal requirements should
we have any suspicions of child abuse In line with other playgroups
and nurseries, we have been issued with a copy of the procedures
that we must follow in such a case.
In the case of suspected physical or sexual abuse, Mooinjer Veggey
staff would be obliged to bring this to the attention of the
Social Services, but we would notify parents of this.
We are aware that there is often a reasonable explanation for
injury, but you will understand the need to err on the side of
caution. This is not designed to hound parents, but to protect
children at risk. The statistics for child abuse on the Isle
of Man are frighteningly high.
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