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 all experienced and well qualified some up to level 6. We provide outdoor play in all weathers incorporating explorations of the natural world, including growing potatoes and strawberries which are planted, cared for and harvested by the children.
We are a sessional, community Pre-School. We have a staff of three working the morning sessions and a staff of two working the afternoon sessions Monday to Thursday. On friday we have a staff of three working the morning session. All our staff are trained in First Aid.
We have an outdoor play area which has some large equipment, including a playhouse. We have developed a sensory garden in which the children are able to grow fruit and vegetables during the spring and summer months. The children experience planting, nurturing and harvesting the produce. They are then able to taste the produce they have grown at snack time, when they are able to savour the fruit and vegetables they have grown. They enjoy chatting and sharing their gardening experiences.
The children go outside between 11:15 am and 12 pm and we aim to do this in sunshine and rain. We expect the children to be dressed in appropriate clothing for the weather. This will allow them the experience the different seasons, temperature and changes in weather.
Our Pre-School works to a key person system and holds regular parent/key person meetings. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s key person at any time. Parents should be assured that all discussions are completely 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. We support children in their development of social skills, maths, language, communication and sensory awareness with small group activities. We have visits from police, dentists, road safety officers etc. to encourage children to understand the people who can 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 who would be their child’s key person and given them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. It also enables the key person to chat and play with their child to build up a rapport.
We also have good relationships with feeder schools which enables staff to liaise with teachers about the children who are to transfer to school. This makes the transition run as smoothly as possible.
We have received the Charter for Quality Aware (2013). We are also registered for the 2-year-old Free Early Learning places.