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Latest News on Lottery Application 2000
Pre
school & Play Group information
Future
Group
Leaders & Staff Computer Training Sessions & groups
who want their own computer
Parents
Information
PRE-SCHOOL & PLAYGROUP INFORMATION
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups
ABOUT COMPUTER AWARENESS FOR CHILDREN
Octopus
ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups
provide a very friendly, practical and much needed service to pre -
schools and play groups.
Octopus
ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups is fully aware
of today's rapidly moving educational technology.
Octopus
ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups also
understands the running of non OFSTED and OFSTED inspected play
groups and believes that all children should have the opportunity to
operate computers prior to entry level primary school.
Most pre - schools and play groups do not have computers of their own, this combined with the fact that not all LEA 's provide nursery schools means that many children do not get a chance to use a computer until they start primary school. Our objectives are to provide children from age 2 upwards with a start in computer skills and a wonderful experience with educational software. We believe that this gives children a more informed start with their future school work and helps project them into a learning environment in computers rather than one based on non educational games.
HOW
THE SESSIONS WORK
A
demonstrator will bring a computer and set it up ready for use
whilst play group is being set up for the session. Children sit with
the demonstrator around the computer and each child will have the
opportunity for Hands On direct work with the computer using the
mouse and key - pad. The session is informal and the emphasis is on
learning in a fun way.
Note:Some
software programmes provide work away sheets. If this type of
programme is used you will be provided with at least 2 photocopied
sheets per child to use at your discretion.
Most play groups run for 2 hours and 30 mins. Octopus would run for 2 hours in each session leaving time out for group activities such as milk, story time etc.
Please note: that Octopus does not make decisions or take control of children in any respect. The control of the play group and children and decisions for interactive computer experience etc., remains at all times strictly within the domain and jurisdiction of the Play Group Leader.
CHOOSING
THE SOFTWARE
Octopus
carries a wide range of appropriate educational and fun software. In
order to help us make the day a success for your play group, on the
booking form each play group is asked details about the age of
children and to indicate which subject you consider would be
appropriate per year group for your Awareness days. Please feel free
to discuss this.
Some
Interesting Features:
*
Developing pre - reading skills
*
Learning colours and patterns, shape recognition
*
Creativity, art and music
*
Early number skills
*
Numerical comparison and sequencing, quantities, size
*
Visual Discrimination
*
Problem solving
*
Strategic thinking
*
Following instructions
*
Enhancing memory skills
*
Confidence building
*
Social and behavioral skills - sharing, healthy eating, good manners
and safety rules
*
Emotional readiness
*
Helping developing social awareness
If you would like further information or a chat about Computer Awareness days just pick up the phone between 9am and 6pm and we'll be pleased to help.
BOOKINGS
After
a chat with Octopus
ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups
if you think it will benefit your group we'll send you a booking
form. Then all you have to do is return it and we'll take care of the
rest by liaison with you in order for your days to be a success for
your play group.
LONG TERM
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups would benefit your play group more if visits become a regular feature. It is also suggested that non OFSTED inspected groups would gain the full benefit by three visits per year i.e. once a term. For OFSTED inspected groups, six times per year i.e. twice a term would be appropriate. Each child would then have taken part in a structured computer introduction course and would have a greater advantage with educational computer use for when he/she starts nursery or primary school.
Your Contact for :
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
DERBYSHIRE
LEICESTERSHIRENicki Petcher
tel: 0115 9565328
FUTURE
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups is currently seeking charity status and relevant funding in order to offer equal opportunities to more groups. In due course it is projected that all services outlined will be FREE to pre-school and play groups.
For further information or to register your interest please contact:
Nicki Petcher on 0115 9565328
or send email to:
nicki@octopus1.globalnet.co.uk
Dec 1999
The first application for funding from the National Lottery for computer learning in pre-schools has been turned down.
2000
Octopus ICT has been awarded a grant of £5,000 from the Millennium Fund.May 2000
The Octopus ICT Committee has re-applied for the main Lottery Grant in order to activate the projected 3 year schedule.
OCTOBER 2000
The Octopus ICT Committee will have the results of their National Lottery Grant Application by the end of October.
If the bid is successful the pre-school program will commence.
The Lottery Commission has rejected our second application for funding on the following grounds:
"Your organisation has clearly identified a gap in service provision for playschools but could not adequately demonstrate that this project is the best way to address that need. Playgroups cannot be guaranteed funding for a computer after Octopus ICT has finished visiting them and it is not clear why this field work element of the project is needed. You could not demonstrate that your organisation currently possesses the necessary skills and experience to make this project happen. Some elements, such as the helpline service, whilst good ideas in principle, have not been sufficiently planned. The budget could not be clearly justified as some elements were based on guesswork rather than quotations. There were also concerns over the accessibility of the project given that you could not demonstrate that sufficient thought had been given to software in community languages or adaptions to the computers for children with disabilities. These areas would need addressing prior to a re-submission to the Board."
Note:
the Octopus ICT committee will reconvene during November. They will address the points above and consider whether or not it is worthwhile re-applying to the Lottery Commission whose prime interests obviously lie in accepting the funding applications of such concerns as Eton playing fields and the purchase of the Churchill memoirs £8,000,000, Nottingham Ice Rink £350,000,000 etc., etc.In brief:
the Lottery Funding Application for approximately £202,000 was in order to run the project for 3 years. Primarily, during this 3 years pre-schools and playgroups were to be given the opportunity for ALL children to access child oriented educational software prior to entry into mainstream schools. This would have afforded an Equal Opportunity, Awareness and Familiarity with computers and ICT for less privileged children (to include disabled and multilingual) as well as supporting others.
The more fortunate have an advantage by being amongst those who have computers at home.Unfortunately the Lottery Commissions ideology seem to be more relaxed on applications concerned with ensuring that the grass is green on Eton playing Fileld's etc., than in a project as relevant as this.
The Committee will reconvene to discuss the possibilities of a THIRD application to the Lotteries Commission in order to beg for funding for this project.
Anyone wishing to offer support or comment please email us at
tel: 0115 9565328
Companies/persons interested in sponsoring / partnering Octopus in the ICT project please contact us.
OWNING A COMPUTER
If at any time in the future your Play Group feels the time is right to have it's own computer Octopus will be able to offer the following:
Octopus Computer Training Sessions for Play Group Leaders and Staff.
The session(s) will be a friendly introduction to computers and will cover introductory topics such as -
type of computer to purchase
how easy it can be to operate a computer
programs you can easily operate for your playgroup children
full back up assistance and help line
QUESTIONS
Q. I cannot understand computers - will I be able to learn?
A. YES. If you can operate a washing machine you can switch on a computer and in five minutes Octopus will have you enjoying and operating a recognised educational program. Octopus takes away the technical jargon and makes it fun for everyone.
Q. Don't I need to know lots about computers?
A. NO. You don't have to know a lot about washing machines or televisions to operate them. Neither do you have to know a lot about computers. Once Octopus has introduced you to computers you'll be fine and wonder why you worried at all. Anyone can learn with Octopus.Q. I can operate a computer so why do I need Octopus.
A. Octopus can help you with a choice of programs for your pre-school children.
Octopus can pay regular visits and offer advice on all aspects of relevant software and problems you may wish to discuss. In fact Octopus offers you support when you need it.Your never alone with Octopus.
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups
Octopus Hands On Computer Awareness for Pre-School Children
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups offers very friendly, practical and much needed computer awareness for children at pre - schools and play groups.
Our
objectives are to provide equal opportunity
for children from age 2 upwards with a start in computer skills and a
wonderful experience with educational software.
This
gives children a more informed start with their future school work
and helps project them into a learning environment in computers.
HOW
THE SESSIONS WORK
Children
can sit around the computer and learn together. Each child will have
an individual opportunity for hands on direct play/work with the
computer using the mouse and key - pad. They will gain confidence in
computer skills as well as benefiting educationally. The session is
informal and the emphasis is on learning in a fun way. Many subjects
can be covered and your play group leader will
have advised Octopus as to which software will be the most
appropriate. (Numbers and alphabet work are key subjects for the
older children while shapes and colours are topical and much loved by
the younger children.) We carry a wide range of Octopus reviewed
interactive appealing software that is also approved by teachers and
education experts. This creates a very
enjoyable and playful session for the children.
Some
Interesting Features :
*
Pre - reading skills
*
Learning colours and patterns, shape recognition
*
Creativity, art, music
*
Early number skills
*
Numerical comparison and sequencing, quantities, size
*
Problem solving
*
Following instructions
*
Enhancing memory skills .
Octopus Computer Awareness is designed to become a recurring feature of the play group schedule - working with each play group several times throughout each year. Thus helping to develop each child's full potential by giving them an excellent fun/play time with Hands On Time with wonderful software programs.
QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:
Q:
Why
should my child be on a computer course when we have a computer at home?
A:
Octopus
offers a teamwork environment.
Instead
of working alone they can share their experience with friends.
All
children can benefit by being involved with a variety of
educationally based software.
Octopus
has a wide range of programs to suit all levels of ability -
therefore children have the opportunity to play/work with programs
they have not seen before.
Q:
Can
parents learn from "Awareness days?"
A:
YES.
All parents are welcome to ask questions related to their child and
computer awareness at the end of each session.
All
parents are welcome to stay (and encouraged to join in if they wish)
during the sessions.
Q:
Will
my child benefit educationally from future awareness days.
A:
YES.
The "Awareness Day's" are designed to enable your child to
progress further at each session.
Please note:
Octopus ICT Educational Fun for Pre-schools & Play Groups
does not make decisions or take control of children in any respect.
The control of the play group, pre-school group and children and decisions for interactive computer experience etc., remains at all times strictly within the domain and jurisdiction of the Group Leader.
Octopus complies with the Group Leaders' decisions at all times.
For companies, sponsors or persons interested in helping to develop, or working alongside, Octopus ICT on the wider basis please contact us on
0115 9565328 or by email.
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Computers in pre-schools |
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