The Willows Pre-school

 (Children aged 2 and half years to 5 years)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Aim

  

 

• Create a high standard of care in a happy, safe, warm and stimulating environment for all children to play, learn and develop freely  
• Encourage children to have a positive attitude and have respect for both themselves and others  
• Help children to develop self-reliance and independence  
• Provide opportunities to make friends and develop social skills 
• Encourage to explore and experiment  
• Promote language and communication skills 
• Enjoy imaginative and creative activities  
• Extend physical skills 
• Accept the discipline of the setting and the authority of other adults  
• Employ a team of experienced, well qualified staff who work within the setting policies and procedures  
• Provide services accessible to all children and their families in the local community  
• Offer a programme of activities to meet each individual child’s needs  
• Provide parents with information and share their child’s achievements, experiences and progress. 

Opening Hours & Fees  

 

 

 

 

Sessions	Opening Times	Details	Fees
Morning pre-school	9.00am – 11.30am	Snack included	Funded or £7.00
Lunch Club	11.30am -12.30pm	With packed lunch	£3.00
Lunch Club	11.30am – 12.30pm	With school lunch	£5.25
Afternoon pre-school	12.30pm – 3.00pm	Snack included	Funded or £7.00
Full school day (two pre-school sessions with lunch club)	9.00am – 3.00pm	Snacks included	Funded plus lunch or £17.00 with packed lunch or £19.25 with school lunch
Full Day Care (Pre-school) Term time only	8.00am -  6.00pm	Snacks included	£25.00 with packed lunch or an extra £2.25 with school lunch

 There is a maximum of 22 places available on all out of school & pre school sessions.

 

Subject to availability of places, children attending will need to bring their own packed lunch however for an extra cost children can eat a hot school lunch in the school hall.

 

 

Cheshire County Council funded places are available for children attending pre school the full term following their third birthday which normally covers the cost of up to five pre school sessions per week (subject to certain criteria) . For the non-funded sessions, parents must accept at least two, two and half hour sessions with a view to taking up at least three or four sessions when your child is eligible for funded places after the term they are 3yrs old.

 

A school day care option is available between 9am – 3pm to pre school children during term time only (two pre school sessions with lunch club).

 

 

There are also a very limited number of full day care places from 8am to 6pm for pre school age children which will operate during term time & school holidays.

 

 

 

Admission  

 

Priority for admission will be given as follows:

 

 

1           By date of the initial application for a place

2          By birthday

3          By home address

4          By the school the child is due to attend

 

 

If the register is full, the pre-school will operate a waiting list and if necessary restrict the attendance of children

 

Parent are required to complete a registration form which contains the information that the pre school is legally obliged to retain, it is the responsibility of parents to keep the pre school informed of any change in personal details; e.g. change in contact numbers, health or dietary needs or information that may affect a child’s emotional well being.  (Information is always strictly confidential)

 

Admission is subject to parents or carers having read the policy document and signed a contract of care with the pre-school.

 

Any place(s) offered must be taken up within 3 weeks of the start date or they may be forfeited.  Parents and children will be offered a visit prior to starting at the pre-school.  During the visit they will be provided with a copy of the Pre school information pack.

 

The pre-school reserves the right to make the final decision in respect of all admissions.

 

Starting pre-school 

 

Before a child starts pre-school we ask parents and child to attend a preliminary visit, this gives the opportunity to exchange information and a chance to discuss their child’s needs.  Parents are assured that should their child be unsettled or distressed when they leave, their child will be comforted and reassured until they settle.  We recognise that some children will settle more readily than others, arrangements can be made for a parent to stay and encourage gradual separation.  This usually works well as the child gains confidence and feels more secure in the knowledge that you will always come back.

 

Pre-School Session

 

Register time is a time to listen.  Children sit together with all staff members and the register is called, this is followed by news time, the weather and calendar, the activities for the session, the teacher’s names and any other news.

 

The first part of the session is free choice play the activities are set out so the children can make their own choice, these resources and activities are planned to combine with the themes and topics.

 

 

If your child wishes to bring something of interest relating to a certain topic they are very welcome to do so, we usually have a display table for these items.

 

Children are encouraged to help tidy up toys and equipment and put things away in the right places.

 

The children go to the toilet and wash their hands ready for snack time, all children sit down to have a drink and snack together.  Again children help tidy up cups and plates and wipe the tables.

 

After snack depending on the weather we may go outside to play on the grass or in the playground.  The children can ride bikes, play with the balls or take part in other outdoor activities.  In the summer we take activities outside, sand and water, tents and other play equipment is available and we have picnics and take nature walks around the field.  If the weather is bad we may stay inside and have music and dance session or get the musical instruments out, we usually finish off with a story and rhyme time.

 

We try to have circle time several times a week, where we talk about the themes and topics or remind the children and about important things like being kind to each other, washing hands, keeping safe etc.

 

Occasionally as a treat we watch a DVD from a carefully selected range available.

 

At home time children are encouraged to recognise their own belongings and shown how to put their outdoor garments on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy

 

The Willows is committed to the integration and inclusion of all children in its care, we also believe children with special educational need and/or physical disabilities have a right to play, learn and be able to develop to their full potential alongside other children.

 

 

All children in the group, irrespective of their special needs are encouraged wherever possible and appropriate to participate and be included in all the groups’ facilities, activities and play opportunities.

 

We encourage all children to become independent and confident in self help skills and respect the rights of every child to privacy and discretion.

 

 

The Willows aims to regards the DfES Special Educational Code of practice.  We aim to provide a welcome and appropriate learning opportunity for all children.

 

We work in partnership with parents and other agencies in meeting individual children’s needs.  We monitor and review our practice and provision and make adjustments to meet these needs.

 

 

Profiles & Observations 

 

Observations are carried out on every child each term.  This enables us to look at all areas of development and get to know each child.

 

Because the pre school has children aged between two and half and four we have to make sure we meet the different needs of each child.  Observations help us to plan appropriate activities and also to pick up on any problems or difficulties a child may experience.

 

The development profile is a record of progress.  Observations are recorded in the profile each term; the profile should be passed onto the next setting.

 

 

Parental Involvement

 

Parental involvement is very important to The Willows, the ways in which you can be involved are as follows:-

 

 

 

 

• Become a member of the management Committee  
• Offer support in other ways such as fund raising ideas or helping on stalls  
• Attend the annual General Meeting held each year and any other meetings that may arise.  These meetings are very important and they give you a chance to have you say.  
• Read the policies and procedures document and sign the contract of care 

• Read Notices and newsletters  

• Join in some of the activities with the children such as reading, baking activities, nature walks, planting seeds and bulbs, sponsored events and arts and crafts

   

Training  

 

The Willows Staff are qualified in child development, care and education and have a wealth of experience in caring for children.

 

 

The management Committee is totally committed to providing resources to support the staff in furthering their professional skills through training.

 

 

Health and Safety  

 

Health and safety is a primary concern for The Willows Pre-School and Out of School Club

 

We aim to make children, parents and staff aware of health and safety issues and minimise the hazards and risks to make our setting safe and healthy place for all children and adults.

 

Illness

 

We do not provide care for children who are unwell, have a temperature or sickness and diarrhoea or an infectious disease or condition.  Children taken ill during a session will be supervised by an adult and taken to a quite area.  Parents will be contacted by phoned.

 

 

 

A full Policy Document is available on request