Settling in

•  It is easier for your child to settle at pre-school if they attend on a minimum of two consecutive days.

•  However, we aim to offer the flexibility needed by children and their families.

•  We encourage a long settling-in period for all our children; they are invited to attend a few sessions, with their parent or carer, in the term prior to starting at the pre-school.

•  If your child is reluctant to part from you or their carer, you are welcome to stay with them for all or part of a session, for as long as you feel is necessary.

•  We find that children who are allowed to settle at their own pace adapt more quickly to the pre-school routine.

Activities

•  We provide a balance of activities and experiences across the curriculum, ensuring that children have plenty of purposeful play throughout a session.

•  We believe that young children learn constantly from everything that happens around them, and that play is their natural medium for learning.

•  Our daily activities are balanced between child-led and adult-directed experiences.

•  Each child is allocated a tray, where all completed work is put for you to collect at the end of each session.

Topics and themes

•  We have different topics and themes for each week, which are displayed on the notice board, the website calendar and newsletters.

•  We encourage the children to bring in small items and pictures associated with each topic.

Outside

•  We are lucky to have a large garden, and like to use it as often as possible - whatever the weather.

•  Please ensure that your child brings warm outdoor clothes in cold weather, wellies when it is wet or muddy, and summer hats and sun cream when it is sunny.

Clothing

•  Children may get splashed with paint or water during water play.

•  Please make sure their clothes are hard wearing, and bring a spare set of clothes in a cloth bag every day, which should be left on the bag holder in the main room every morning.

•  Coats and outdoor clothing should be hung on the first available peg in the hallway.

•  All spares, coats and wellies must be taken home at the end of every day.

•  All clothes, coats, hats, gloves, wellies and shoes must be clearly named.

Nappies and toilet training

•  If your child is still using nappies, you must provide enough nappies, wipes and appropriate disposable bags on a daily basis.

•  We are happy to work with you and your child in the toilet training process.

•  Please ensure that your child is clean and dry at the beginning of each session.

Security

•  Entry to the pre-school is through the top door, which is secure.

•  The main gate is padlocked when the children are using the outside area.

•  Parents and carers must collect their children at the agreed time, and parents must give prior notice if anyone other than the named carer collects a child.

•  You will be asked to provide a password, to be used if another authorised adult collects your child