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Glossary

Setting	Term used to describe the care establishment (e.g. nursery, pre-school etc.).
Provider	(as setting)
Validated	Ofsted inspected (also see Ofsted below)
Session/sessional	In some settings care is offered sessionally. A session is not less than 21/2 hours and can go up to 4 hours (normally pre-schools, playgroups and crèches work sessionally )
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 holding a Nationally recognised qualification in childcare (see below)
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 Ratios	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.
Officer-in-Charge	The person responsible for the day to day running of a setting.
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 (see below).
Early Learning Goals	The term used to describe the five areas of learning. These being; personal, social and emotional development; Communication, language and literacy; mathematical development; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical development and creative development. ELG's are targets set for achievement by the end of the foundation stage.
Montessori	A educational approach which focuses on tactile methods of exploring the world and free choice in a structured environment.
'Birth to Three Matters'	Is the title of the recently launched Government backed curriculum framework guidance for under 3's
'Quality Counts'	Is 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'	Is 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
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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