The pre-school years are the most important phase of a child’s development.  Hanslope Pre-school offer a dynamic, exciting and caring environment for your child.  We encourage learning through play and our range of activities are planned to work towards the Early Learning Goals.  The Pre-school staff are enthusiastic and continually update their training to a high standard.

“The quality and standards of the care are good.” (Ofsted Report 2008)

Our Aims

·    To provide a happy, safe, stimulating and secure environment.

·    To enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age in a parent-involving, community-based group.

·    To work within a framework which ensures equality of opportunity for all children and their families.

All children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace.  Our Keyworker system enables us to ensure a planned curriculum tailored to the needs of each individual child.  We work towards the Early Learning Goals set by the Government and laid down in the Foundation Stage that all early years providers have to follow.

Hanslope Pre-school is joining the Pre-school Learning Alliance’s Accreditation Scheme: ‘Aiming for Quality’. 

Sessions

All Children from 2½ to 5 years are welcome at Pre-school.

The Pre-school meets Monday to Friday mornings from 9.30am to 12.00noon, during school term time.  We run a one hour lunch club straight after the Pre-school session at least one day a week, subject to demand.

Communication, language & literacy

In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.  Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. Words (such as numbers) in different languages are introduced, for example through the use of posters. A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

Personal, social & emotional development

Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self respect.  They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults.  Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others.  All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.

Mathematics

By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities, which form the basis for early mathematics.  As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number.  Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.

Knowledge & understanding of the world

A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials.  They learn to recognise differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings.  Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community.  They learn to respect other people, and expect to be respected for themselves. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems. The Pre-school organises regular outings such as  nature walks and farm trips.

Physical development

A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out of doors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills.  The Pre-school has a gym session once per week.  A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing.  At the same time, children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.  The children are also encouraged to develop awareness of their own bodies and of what keeps them healthy.

Creative development

Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions.  Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing, junk modelling and collage.  There is supervised woodwork once per term. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role play, both individually and as part of a group.  

Management & administration

The Pre-school is run by an elected committee of parents, which ensures that major decision making is in the hands of those who use the group.  The committee are responsible for reviewing both policy and practice, and for the employment and appraisal of members of staff.  Our Annual General Meeting, at which the committee for the following year is elected, is held in the Autumn Term and parents will be informed in good time so they are able to attend.

Policies

All our policies are designed to offer the best possible experience for the children and families in the group.  Our policies are reviewed on a regular basis and comments and suggestions are always welcome.  All Pre-school policies are available for you to read.  Please ask a member of staff for a copy.

Pre-school rota

Parents and carers are encouraged to help out regularly during sessions on a rota basis. This helps maintain the high ratio of adults to children in our group, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child.  It also gives you the opportunity to take an active part in the group to see what happens there and to talk about it afterwards with your child.  If you are unable to attend the session you will be asked to help out in other ways, for example by preparing craft activities at home (cutting out shapes, making playdough, etc), or by supporting fundraising events etc.

Keyworkers and groups

Our keyworker system gives each member of staff particular responsibility for just a few children.  Each child in the Pre-school has one special adult to relate to, which can make settling in very much easier. In addition, the keyworker is in a position to tailor the curriculum to the unique needs of each individual child in his or her group.  The keyworker maintains links with the child’s home setting, working with parents to ensure that all children are supported in reaching their full potential. The Pre-school works to PSLA ratios.

Fees

Fees are currently £7.50 per session, payable weekly, monthly, half-termly or termly in advance.  Fees continue to be payable if a child is absent without notice or for a short time.  In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult the committee about fee payment.  Each child’s attendance at the group is conditional upon continued payment of any necessary fees and/or eligibility for Nursery Education Funding.  We accept childcare vouchers. You may be eligible for help towards fees -  please ask for details in confidence.

Hanslope Childrens Centre

Hanslope Pre-school is working together with Hanslope Primary School, the 326 Club (after school and holiday club based at the school) and Sure Start to design and build a purpose built Children’s Centre within the school grounds. The Centre will accommodate each of these groups and will provide child-centred facilities for the wider community and surrounding villages. Please visit the website for further information about this exciting project: www.hanslopechildrenscentre.org.uk.

Copies of our complete Ofsted report are available on request and can also be viewed at: www.ofsted.gov.uk/oxcare_providers/full/(urn)/141808. 

We hope that your child’s time in Pre-school will be a very happy and productive one.