Dear parents and carers,
I would like to take this chance to introduce to you our pre-school.
Beeding and Bramber pre-school playgroup is a village pre-school with strong community ties. We enjoy close links with Upper Beeding primary school, in particular the reception year teachers. We have a very experienced, enthusiastic, highly trained and caring staff who aim to provide your child with a secure and stimulating and fun environment in which to develop.
Our pre-school is a registered charity run by a committee under the constitution of the pre-school learning alliance.
We ensure that all profits made go back into the preschool to provide new toys and equipment.
We are regularly inspected by OFSTED. The pre-school received a Great OFSTED report in 2022.
The pre-school is always aiming to improve standards by developing resources and ensuring staff are highly qualified, this way we can offer you the best for your child.
Yours Sincerely
Chantael Brookshaw Sophie Tierney
Pre-School Supervisor. Committee Chairperson
Pre-School Aims
Our Pre-school aims to
- Promote the social and educational needs and interests of each individual child
- Work with British values in our daily routines
- Provide a happy, secure and stimulating environment
- Ensure each child feels a valued member of our community and setting
- Encourage self confidence and independence
- Always follow the Early years foundation stage of the National Curriculum (EYFS)
- Actively promote the equality and inclusion of each child and their family
- Work in partnership with parents and carers
- Follow OFSTED standards
Pre-School Learning Goals.
Our key-workers will work together with parents and carers to develop a positive influence on your child’s learning, knowledge and development. We aim to……
- Encourage enthusiasm in learning
- Provide opportunities for your child to develop socially
- Build on your child’s concentration skills
- Develop your child’s listening and communication skills
- Explore and enjoy writing and reading skills
- Help your child gain a good understanding of mathematics
- Encourage problem solving and decision making
- Explore the environment, different places, cultures and religions
- Develop your child’s fine and gross motor skills
- Increase your child’s knowledge of how their bodies work and what keeps them safe and healthy
- Extend children’s creative development and expression
Pre-School Organisation
Our pre-school is for any child between the ages of two and the statutory school age.
Key workers- Each child is allocated a key person, that is one particular person your child can relate to and work with. A key person will be available for discussion at drop off or collection times to maintain links with you and main carers. Your child’s key person will use Early Years foundation stage (EYFS) records to follow developmental progress and will include individual plans to move each child forward by interests and needs. Your key person will monitor your child’s progress using an electronic learning journal (TAPESTRY)
Snacks– Children at the pre-school receive free milk (alternatives are available) we offer a fantastic selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, fruitloaf, crackers, wraps etc. at each session, we ensure a balanced nutritious snack. We also provide food from around the world to celebrate the many festivals such as Diwali and Lunar new year. We ask for a donation for the snack of £2 per week. However, if you would prefer not to make this donation you can bring your own snack; this must be healthy, balanced and in line with our healthy eating snack policy (please see the snack policy for details)
You must inform us the term before if you would like to opt out of our snack and provide your own
Lunches-The pre-school offers a one hour lunch session for all children. Lunch sessions are a happy, social time of the day that children enjoy. We promote healthy eating within the pre-school, suggestions for a healthy lunchbox are available. All lunch boxes are kept in a cool place during the day but we ask that you put a freezer pack in them to keep it fresh.
Afternoon sessions- Afternoon sessions are offered three times a week for children who are due to start school the following September. During these sessions children are introduced to the jolly phonic scheme used at Upper Beeding Primary. Children are also given the opportunity to take home a reading book if they wish and get a turn in taking Billy and Tilly Bears (the preschool teddies) home for a week. Please note that although your child may take home a work sheet or a reading book, homework is just for fun, it is not at all compulsory or expected.
Session Times– Monday: 9.00-12.00 noon
Lunch session (optional) 12.00-1pm
Afternoon: 1pm- 3.30pm
All day sessions available
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Tuesday: 9.00-12.00 noon
Lunch session (optional) 12.00-1pm
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Wednesday: 9.00-12.00 noon
Lunch session (optional) 12.00-1pm
Afternoon: 1pm-3.30pm
All day sessions available
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Thursday: 9.00-12.00 noon
Lunch session (optional) 12.00-1pm
Afternoon: 1pm-3.30pm
All day sessions available
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Friday: 9.00-12.00 noon
Lunch session (optional) 12.00-1pm
Term time follows Upper Beeding Primary School in accordance with the West Sussex Local Education Authority, and runs for a total of 39 weeks a year.
Pre-School Committee
We are a charity, committee run pre-school. This means we qualify for many training and equipment grants which enable us to offer a high standard of pre-schooling. The committee is manned by volunteers who organise fundraising, employ staff and decide what to spend our money on. This puts our pre-school in the excellent position of being staffed by qualified child care practitioners and being run by members of the community whose only concern is the children who attend the pre-school.
The committee is always open to new members or event helpers who can be called on as and when needed. If you would like to be more involved with your child’s pre-school please ask a member of staff to point you in the direction of a committee member.
Children with additional support needs
| There are four broad areas of Special Educational Need within the SEND Code of Practice: |
| · Cognition and learning |
| · Communication and interaction |
| · Sensory and/or physical needs |
| · Social, emotion and/or mental health difficulties |
| Any behaviour related concerns now come under the area of Social, Emotional, Mental Health. |
Our pre-school has an Inclusion Co-ordinator who will be happy to support parents and carers to access outside agencies for children who may need extra support with any aspect of pre-school life. We follow the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) code of practice. Our vision for children with special educational needs and disabilities is the same as for all children and young people – that they achieve well in their early years.
Equal opportunities
Our pre-school has an Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator who ensures the inclusion of every child and family. We will always do our best to teach the pre-school children to respect the values and beliefs of others.
Financial Matters
Fund raising- We hold a variety of functions to raise money for the pre-school’s use. Friends, family and carers are encouraged to take part in fundraising. Anyone with a fundraising idea would be welcomed by the committee. Funds raised are used to subsidise activities and new equipment to enrich your child’s pre-school experience.
Enrollment Admin Fee
There is a £30 administration fee which covers the cost of enrollment forms and compulsory forms, learning journals and files.
This will appear on your first term’s bill and must be paid within two weeks. (exemptions apply depending on funding status)
Session costs
- For non funded children (3 hour session) £21
- £7 per lunch session
- For funded children (the term after their 3rd birthday) up to 15 hours (eligible children may qualify for 30 hours) free per week and additional hours at £7 per hour.
- Children who qualify for 2 yr old funding up to 15 hours free per week and additional hours at £7 per hour
- £2 Per week snack donation
- Fees are calculated and charged every half term
- Fees must be paid within two weeks of receiving bill
- No refunds are made except under extreme circumstances
This is usually based on 2×12 week terms and 1×14 week term and pays for up to five sessions a week, 38 weeks in total.
The preschool is open for 39 weeks per year and government funding is for 38 weeks, you will be charged for the extra hours during that week at the hourly rate. However children entitled to funding do not have to attend the extra hours in that 39th week. But must inform us the term before.
Please note the extra unfunded week can fall in any term. All term date are available at the beginning of the year.
Donations
As a charity, donations are always welcome such as tissues for winter colds, paper and art materials etc.