Sessions
We are registered for Full Day Care and include a Lunch Club
We have our own secure room within school grounds which means that we are the only group with access. The room is fully equipped with various areas for the children to enjoy i.e. home corner, dressing up area, book corner, sand pit, water play, collage area, doll's house, computer and tables with a learning activity and a craft activity. Children are also free to choose toys from low drawers and cupboards.
We operate a free flow system whereby the children have continual access to the outdoor area throughout the session. We believe it is essential for children to have access to physical exercise and fresh air as much as possible and so we tend to go outside in all weathers unless it is absolutely pouring with rain! The outdoor play area is right next door to our pre-school and the whole area is completely closed in with a fence for safety. We always have enough staff to monitor children both indoors and out during free flow times.
During bad weather the children are still able to have some kind of physical activity by using a climbing frame and slide indoors, a variety of physical games or musical movement.
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Sessions are 2½ h
ours long and, depending on the number of children, are held all day Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We have a maximum of 12 children in a session with a high staff ratio which guarantees each child has a period of one to one support during the session. We can also offer a Lunch Club every day for £2.50 if we have enough interest.Sessions are currently £8
SESSION TIMES
Mornings - 9:15am - 11:45am
Lunch Club - 11:45am - 12:30pm
Afternoons - 12:30pm - 3:00pm
The flexibility of Full Day Care means that children can attend a morning session, stay for lunch and attend the afternoon session. With children who received funding it means parents/carers have access to a full day's childcare for just £2.50 to cover the cost of lunch club. (See separate heading 'Lunch Club' for more details)
Please note that sessions vary from one term to the next and we may only be open for mornings when numbers are lower.
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Key Person System
Our pre-school has a 'key person' system in place. This means that each member of staff will have particular responsibility for just a few children. Each child will have one special adult to relate to which can make settling into the group much easier. The key person maintains links with the child's home, working with parents through shared record keeping and observations and will ensure that their key child is supported in reaching their full potential. Each key person will bring the needs of each individual child into their planning so that every child's needs are met. We operate an 'open door' policy which allows parents the opportunity to talk to their key person or the playleader at any time if they have any concerns or just want to ask how their child is settling etc.
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SnacksWe operate a snack bar whereby children can help themselves to a snack and pour themselves a drink of milk or water. We have a fruit basket which parents are asked to add to as often as they like. This has proved very successful and the children have so far enjoyed a variety of approximately 33 different types of fruit since we started it in January. As well as the usual apples, pears, bananas etc., we have had pineapples, mangos, dragon fruit, papaya and lots of other exotic fruits. Water is available to the children throughout the session. We also provide a variety of snacks for occasions such as Chinese New Year, pancake day, etc. If your child has special dietary requirements or allergies, staff will be aware as notes to this effect are made in the register. The register is always checked as snack is being prepared.