Joining our Pre-School
Welcome
We would like to warmly welcome you and your child to Needingworth Community Pre-School. We understand that starting Pre-School is a very exciting and important stage in your child’s life and we look forward to building strong partnerships with you. We believe that, in order for children to reach their full potential, they must feel happy, valued, safe and secure. We aim to achieve this within a creative and stimulating environment, where children are encouraged to lead learning through play and exploration. Our practitioners are fully committed to supporting both you and your child; we truly believe each child is special and unique.
If you would like to visit us for a look around and a chat, please call 01480 464201 and a member of staff will be happy to book an appointment for you.
Pre-school is now full until September 2024
Special Needs
It is our setting’s policy to make sure that our provision meets the needs for each individual child. We take into account any individual need a child may have. We provide an environment in which all children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are supported to reach their full potential.
We work closely with parents and other agencies to monitor the child’s progress carefully, and provide effective support to meet the child’s needs. We have regard for the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2014).
Enquiry Procedure
If you are interested please contact our Admissions, and we will be happy to have an informal chat with you and send out our prospectus. You can download a Provisional registration form here. Please find full contact details on our contact webpage.
Fees and Funding
Fees are paid for children from the time they join the Pre-School at 2 years and 10 months. Pre-School fees for non-funded children are £16.00 per session (lunch club @ £3.00. For funded children (including funded two’s) any extra sessions not covered by funding or where funding is being used elsewhere, additional hours are £16.00 per session. When there is availability there are also ADHOC sessions open to all children which are £17.00 per session.
Early years funding supports the national scheme administered by local authorities to offer free early learning and childcare places to all children aged 3 and 4 and some 2 year old’s meeting certain criteria. All three and four-year-old’s can get free early education or childcare for 15 hours a week during term time for (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total).
You may also be interested in the extended entitlement (an additional 15 hours a week) for working parents. The Childcare Choices website offers a comparison guide for all the ways you could reduce your childcare costs
Session Times
We are open Monday to Friday 8:50am to 3.20pm, term times only. We offer all day sessions (once your child turns 3 years old) and morning or afternoon sessions. Lunch club can be tagged onto a morning session or your child can start their afternoon session joining the lunch club. To join lunch club your child must be 3 years old.
For terms dates click here.
Uniform
We provide uniform which is optional. We stock both styles in blue and red, sizes 3-4 years and 5-6 years. There are examples available in the Pre-school cloakroom. if you wish to place an order please speak to a member of staff who will be happy to help. Prices are as follows:
Sweatshirts £11.00 T-shirts £6.50
Snack Time
Our snack time is free flowing from 10am to 11am and between 2pm to 2.45pm. We ask parents to provide their child with a snack in the morning, we promote healthy eating so no chocolate or crisps please. Please ensure that snack is labelled with your child’s name. Pre-School provides fresh fruit for the afternoon snack. Milk and water is offered during snack times and water is available throughout the day.
Lunch Club
If your child is attending lunch club, please provide a healthy lunch box and a bottle of drink. We also ask that you pack an ice pack into the lunch box to keep food fresh.
Visit the change4life website for some delicious lunchbox ideas.
Forest School
With our newly qualified Forest school leader we are able to offer our children regular opportunities to appreciate and enjoy woodland areas, here we aim to nurture an understanding and respect for natural places. The children can experience nature at first hand through a series of engaging and achievable tasks. Forest school brings learning to life and improves a child’s ability to work cooperatively whilst offering them opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning.
Testimonials
“It is clear that the setting and staff attitude is all about the children and the primary focus.”
“Very welcoming from the first home visit. I would definitely recommend.”
“Can you please give me information about your Preschool, it looks wonderful on the website!”
“My child benefitted from attending Willow class (foundation) and becoming familiar with his surroundings. I know he will settle quickly in September.”