Nursery Care Glossary

Glossary of commonly used childcare terms and phrases

Validated - Ofsted inspected

Full day care - Care that generally is available from approximately 8am to 6pm and is inclusive of care, meals, nappy changing, stimluli, structure and 'education'.

Part-time - Usually individual sessions throughout the week e.g. am's, pm's or a mixture.

Full-time - The complete day/week at the setting although this may only be 9am to 3pm dependant on the opening hours of the setting in question.

Qualified Practitioner – person holding a Nationally recognised qualification in childcare.

NVQ or SVQ (in childcare) - Nationally recognised qualification body (level 2 is deemed qualified.)

NNEB - Nationally recognised qualification for 'qualified' member of staff.

BTec (National in childcare) - Nationally recognised qualification for 'qualified' member of staff.

PLA certificate - A 'short course' qualification from the Pre-school Learning Alliance (a qualification often held by 'unqualified' practitioners).

PLA Diploma - A 2 year part time qualification from the Pre-school Learning Alliance (a qualification often held by practitioners in settings such as Pre-schools, playgroups and crèches).

PLA - Pre-school Learning Alliance, a national organisation representing primarily playgroups and pre-school groups.

Staff Ratio - The ratio of children to staff (e.g. 3:1 = 3 children to 1 member of staff.

Curriculum - The term used to describe everything children do in their setting both planned and unplanned.

Ofsted - The Office for Standards in Education. This is the organisation that inspects settings to assess their performance in achieving foundation stage.

Child Tax Credit & Working Tax Credit - Parents can access help with childcare costs through one or both of these schemes. Launched in April 2003 to replace the WFTC & DPTC.

Resources - Generally regarded as equipment, toys, pens, paper, paint etc.

Accreditation - Meeting the standards criteria of a national organisation (e.g. Pre-school Learning Alliance)

Key worker - A person assigned as the primary liaison or contact for a child within the setting.

Sanctions - Strategies employed to encourage positive behaviour of children.

Time out - A sanction which involves the child being taken out of a situation where their behaviour has become inappropriate or unacceptable. The practitioner should explain to the child why this action has taken place.

Redirection - Distracting a child away from unacceptable behaviour and on to something more positive.

Practitioner - Any adult working with children whether qualified or unqualified.

National Childcare Strategy - An initiative from Government aimed at making quality childcare affordable and accessible for all pre-school children via the integrated efforts of all validated providers.

Foundation Stage - The Term used to describe the curriculum of a child from 3 to 6 years of age and can be considered as 'stepping stones' towards Early Learning Goals.

'Birth to Three Matters' - The title of the recently launched Government backed curriculum framework guidance for under 3's.

'Quality Counts' - The title of the Government Sponsored quality accreditation scheme which identifies best practice and assists settings in achieving higher standards of child care.

'Aiming high' - The title of the quality accreditation scheme relating to school age children in Breakfast Clubs, After School Clubs and School Holiday Clubs.

Wraparound care - The term used to describe care for School age children before and after School and during School holidays. (please see individual nursery details for precise arrangements).

Highscope - An educational approach which allows children high levels of free choice to plan their activity, carry it through and discuss with the group or practitioner.

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