We are a community Pre-school for 2 to 4 year olds. We provide a warm, friendly environment to support children in their development. Our staff are experienced and well qualified, some to levels 6 and 7. We provide outdoor play in all weathers, incorporating explorations of the natural world, including growing our own potatoes which are planted,cared for and harvested by the children.
We are a sessional, community Pre-school. We have a staff of three working each morning session and during the afternoon sessions on Mondays and Thursdays. All staff are trained in First Aid. We have an outdoor play area which has some large equipment, including two playhouses. We have developed a sensory garden and we grow vegetables during the Spring and Summer months, which the children plant, nurture and harvest to eat at snack time, which is a good time for chatting and sharing. The children can go outside between 11 am and 11.45 am and we aim to do this in sunshine and in rain so expect children to be dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather. We work to a key person system and hold regular parent/key person meetings. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child's key person at any time about their child and all discussions are confidential. We plan activities for our children using the method of planning in the moment. This means we offer opportunities based on each child's interests, which responds to what they are engaged in; extending experiences and supporting their explorations. Each member of staff observes the children in their activities and responds accordingly. We encourage self-help skills and independence and support children in the development of their social skills, maths, language and communication, sensory awareness with small group activities. We have visits from police, dentists, road safety officers etc. to engage children with people who help us. We have developed a home visit scheme for new starters and also have an open afternoon at the end of the Summer term when new starters and their parents can come and see the setting at a quiet time after the current children have gone home. This gives new parents and children the opportunity to meet their key person and ask any questions they may have and for the key person to chat and play with the child to build up a rapport. We have good relationships with feeder schools and staff liaise with teachers about the children who are to transfer to school, so that the transition is as smooth as possible. We have received the Charter for Quality Award (2013). Also registered for the 2-year-old Free Early Learning places.