Dear Parent,
Thank you for inquiring about our Pre-School at LRBC. If you read on you will find out more about us.
You are also welcome to visit the Pre-School during any session. We operate a waiting list and should you wish to register your child for a place you will find an Application Form at the back of the Pre-school booklet.
Yours faithfully,
Janette Land and Liz Kelly
Pre-School Managers
Contact Pre-School by email
or by phone 01702 471924.
1. The Staff
There are five, sometimes six, members of staff present at each session. There will be two qualified members of staff with either the Pre -school Learning Alliance Diploma in Pre -School Practice (level 3) or the National Nursery Education Board qualification (NNEB) (level 3) at each session.
All staff are experienced helpers and at least one each morning holds a First Aid Certificate. Details of staff are shown on the Pre -school notice board in the Lobby.
2. The Session At Pre-School
When the children arrive the room is set out ready for free play, this enables children to interact with both adults and other children and to make individual choices about their play. The equipment varies from day to day but usually includes painting, play dough, puzzles, and various construction toys including Lego, Duplo, Magnetico, Mobilo, Popoids. This encourages fine motor skills, balance, co-ordination, colour and number work.
There are toys to encourage imaginative play such as dressing-up, home corner, dolls, railways, a farm and musical instruments. Water and sand play encourages science concepts as well as providing an exciting opportunity.
The children are encouraged to participate in various activities during this part of the session and the equipment is chosen to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as set down by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
During this time all the children are offered a drink and a snack and the occasion is used to share news and views with each other. The children then help to clear up before enjoying story time as a group. The Pre-School then provides equipment for physical play: bikes, balls, balance beams, climbing frame, parachute, etc.We have the use of the Pre -School room, a large hall and garden for these activities. The session ends with a singing time.
We ensure all equipment meets safety standards.
3. Admissions Policy
Once the application form is completed (at the back of the Pre-school prospectus) and returned with the non-refundable registration fee, it is held on file and places are allocated in accordance with our admissions policy, a copy of which is available on request.
Admissions will usually be in September for the year.
4. Visitors
It is fun for the children to have occasional visitors and this is always by prior arrangement with staff. In addition, because we participate in a student placement scheme, a local student may from time to time be in Pre-School as a helper. Visitors are never left alone with children, a member of staff is always present.
5. Children's Development And Learning
The provision for children's development and learning is guided by The Early Years Foundation Stage (DCFS 2007). From September 2008 the Early Years Foundation Stage became law. This brings together Birth to Three Matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. Our provision reflects the four key themes and 16 commitments of the Early Years Foundation Stage:
A Unique Child
- Child Development: skilful communicator, competent learner.
- Inclusive Practice: equality and diversity, children's entitlements, early support.
- Keeping Safe: being safe and protected, discovering boundaries, making choices.
- Health and Well-being: growth and developing, physical and emotional well -being.
Positive Relationships
- Respecting Each Other: understanding feelings, friendship, professional relationships.
- Parents as Partners: respecting diversity, communication, learning together.
- Supporting Learning: positive interactions, listening to children, effective teaching.
- Key Person: secure attachment, shared care, independence
Enabling Environments
- Observation, Assessment and Planning: starting with the child, planning, assessment.
- Supporting Every Child: children's needs, the learning journey, working together.
- The Learning Environment: the emotional environment, the outdoor environment, the indoor environment.
- The Wider Context: transitions and continuity, multi -agency working, the community.
Learning And Development
- Play and Exploration: learning through experience, adult involvement, contexts for learning.
- Active Learning: mental and physical involvement, decision making, personalised learning.
- Creativity and Physical Thinking: making connections, transforming and understanding, sustained shared thinking.
- Areas of Development and Learning.
6. Our Behaviour Policy
We expect children to be polite to adults and each other, respecting both colour and creed. Only positive methods of guidance are used, i.e. re-direction, anticipation and removal of potential problems, positive reinforcement and encouragement.
We do not use unnecessary comparison or direct criticism. In the event that a child displays exceptionally anti-social behaviour, we will consult with the parents/guardians to find the best way forward.
Our full behaviour policy document is available for your inspection if you so require.
7. Valuing Diversity and Promoting Equality
In Pre-School all children are valued equally and the achievement of their full potential is given equal importance. We focus on what each child can do rather than on what she/he can't do. Having assessed the child's needs via written observation we aim to meet those needs. The written observations will be made from time to time and the Pre-School will work together with you, the parent, to encourage the confidence and positive self image of your child.
8. Special Educational Needs Policy
In accordance with the Children's Act 1989 and the Education Act 1993, we aim to provide the appropriate provision for a child who has a special need. This means that we will consult parents or guardians concerning any child who is not progressing as well as is expected, realising that the parents'/guardians' knowledge, views and experience is vital to an accurate assessment of the child. If necessary following that consultation we shall alert the appropriate professionals.
A child is not regarded as having a learning difficulty if English is not his or her first language.
It is very important that a child's special educational needs are recognised early on in the child's career, as she/he will require the appropriate help and guidance from professionals. It is also beneficial for the parents and for the Pre-School. We will make every effort to liaise closely with the Primary school so that any provision made for a child in our care will be carried on by the Primary school. During an educational career most children will need special help at one time or another and we will respond to these occasions as they arise. If you have any concerns about your child, please talk to us as we are here to help both you and your child. Our full policy document is available for your inspection if you so require.
9. Safeguarding Children
We operate a safeguarding children programme entitled 'Safe to Grow'. Permanent Staff have attended a training session and have completed health and police checks. In addition the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures apply within this group.
We operate an 'Accident Book' to record any tumbles and bumps that are inevitable from time to time, usually due to boisterous play, and inform parents at the end of the session who will be required to sign it to acknowledge notification of the 'accident'.
All children have bumps and bruises at various times, it is our responsibility to verify where these come from in order to support you as parents.
Our full policy document is available for your inspection if you so require.
10. Key Person And Your Child
Our setting uses a key person approach. This means that each member of staff has a group of children for whom she/he is responsible. Your child's key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that what we provide is right for your child's particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at the setting, she/he will help your child to settle and throughout your child's time at the
setting, she/he will help your child to benefit from the setting's activities.
11. Additional Information
Before your child starts Pre-School you are most welcome to visit us with her/him for part or all of a few sessions. This provides an opportunity for us all to get to know you both and for you to get to know us!
Fees are payable by the half term in advance. No refunds for absence can be given. For your child to keep his/her place at the setting, you must pay the fees.
If you need to talk to any of our staff, please feel free to come in before, during or after any session.
We don't expect parents to send their child to Pre-School if he/she is unwell or has been ill at night. Our Sickness Policy states that if a child vomits, a period of at least 48-hours should elapse after the last vomit before return to Pre-School. If a child becomes unwell in Pre-School we will make every effort to contact the parent or alternative contact number. We will call a medical professional if we feel it necessary.
For reasons of health and safety we cannot be responsible for the storage and administration of drugs and medicines unless there are exceptional circumstances. In these cases we will require written instructions.
We do not have a uniform but would appreciate it if you sent your child to Pre-School in clothes that make it easy for her/him to use the toilet. In addition, some activities are messy and whilst we make every effort to keep children clean, accidents do happen. So please no 'new'/'best' clothes. We try to use the garden all year round, so coats and suitable footwear should always be left on your child's peg.
Complaints procedure - please refer matters initially to the Manager. A copy of the Complaints policy is available on request.
Leigh Road Baptist Church Pre-School