FAQs

Where is the pre-school?

The pre-school is currently located in the Village Hall, High Street, Hempstead, CB10 2PD. - Go to Map. As well as the indoor facilities, we have a purpose-built, enclosed play area outside. We also have access to the Glebe, a large area of open space behind the Hall, for further outdoor activities. On-site parking is available.

Can we visit for a look around?

Of course! Prospective parents are very welcome. Please phone Claire Norris (01799 599797) during pre-school hours to arrange a visit.

Does the session include lunch?

Children and staff bring a packed lunch to eat together at the session. Children are also given a healthy snack and a drink mid-morning, which is included in the session fee. Snacks include fresh fruit, carrots, toast and dried cereals.

I'm worried that my child won't settle in easily – can you help?

Yes – we work with parents to plan a strategy to help each individual settle in. Children come to the pre-school with their carers for at least two visits before they start officially, and every child is assigned a key person to keep a special look-out for them. Your key-person can visit you before your child starts, to get to know them a little better and to be a friendly face when they arrive for their first session.

What will my child be doing at pre-school?

We provide a wide range of child- and adult-led activities, following the EYFS and focussing on learning through play. Activities on offer during a typical session might include: sand and water play, jigsaws, construction toys, dressing-up and role playing, arts and crafts, singing and playing musical instruments, outdoor play (in our purpose-built, enclosed area). Children sometimes participate in cooking or gardening activities. And we aim to include children's interests and incorporate those into our planning.

What happens in a 'typical session'?

Children arrive at 9.30a.m. with parents/carers, who have an opportunity to share information with their child’s key person or other member of staff. When all the children are present, we hold registration, say hello to each other and share news. The children then participate in a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. 'Rolling' snack time normally begins about 10.30 and operates as a café system. We have an open-door policy after snack has finished, and the children are allowed to flow freely between our inside and outside play areas for over an hour. When we are all inside again, we have stories, circle and singing time. The children and staff all sit down to have lunch together. Then we sing our goodbye song before the children are collected at 1p.m.

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The EYFS is a mandatory framework of welfare and learning and development requirements intended to ensure that parents can be confident that their children receive a consistent standard of pre-school education. It consists of sixteen commitments grouped into four themes: the unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments, and learning and development.

Play enables learning and development for young children. The EYFS details six areas of learning and development: personal, social and emotional development; communication, language and literacy; problem-solving, reasoning and numeracy; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical development; and creative development. 'All these areas must be delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities.' (DCSF, 2008b, p11).
EYFS

What does my child's key person do?

Every child is assigned a key person before they start at the pre-school. She has a special interest in your child, helps them to settle in, works with you to plan their learning and keeps records of their development. (Every child is also assigned a back-up key person.)

Can parents get involved?

Yes please! The pre-school is run by a committee of parent volunteers and more help is always appreciated. If you don't feel able to commit to joining the committee, there are several fundraising events throughout the year that you are welcome to join in. Parents are sometimes invited to join the children for lunch or for stay-and-play sessions – please ask the staff for details.

Who decides how the pre-school is run?

The pre-school is run by a management committee made up of parents and advised by staff. All parents of attending children are eligible to join the committee, which is elected at an Annual General Meeting. Everyone is encouraged to attend the AGM, to review the past year and plan for the future.

Do I need to send anything in with my child?

Children are given a book bag when they start, to carry any communications and artwork between home and school. We also ask that your child brings a spare change of clothes in a bag – some of our activities can get messy! Children should also wear sunscreen and sunhats in hot weather, appropriate outer gear in cold or wet weather. In winter, the children bring wellies to change into for outside play. And children bring a packed lunch.

Do you take children who wear nappies?

We do. And we can work with parents to support potty training when you and your child feel ready.

How much does it cost?

The session fee is £13 (£7.42 for the afternoon session), usually billed half-termly and payable by cash, cheque or online. Your child is eligible for fifteen hours of free pre-school education from the term after their third birthday (this is administered by pre-school). From April 2012, we will be able to accept two-year-olds who are eligible for funding. We aim to be sympathetic to families in difficult circumstances: please feel free to speak in confidence to the treasurer.

What is Forest School?

We are lucky to be able to use the Glebe and the wooded area behind Hempstead Church for pre-school sessions outdoors. These are run by a trained leader (on loan from Radwinter Primary School) in a five-week block each term, on Mondays. Forest School encourages children to learn and develop in a new, exciting environment, establishing a connection with the outdoors. You can find out more here

"My children thrived in the caring atmosphere of the pre-school."

Chris Porthouse