Organisation

Inside the pre-school building we aim to make it bright and welcoming by displaying as much as of the children's work as possible. In addition, the children have their own record of achievement, where we document their work and this goes with them as a reminder of their time at pre-school

A copy of our policies document can be downloaded here.

'They are provided with fantastic play opportunities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development.' Ofsted 2007

Outdoors
We are located in a semi-rural location, allowing us to benefit from a large fenced outdoor area. Additionally, the outlying area of the playing fields is utilised in many ways, including, nature walks, visits to the part, sports activities and many other things. Due to Outstanding provision in the outdoor area we are a 'Lead practitioner setting for Lancashire'

At pre-school we do encourage the children to experience outdoor play whatever the weather. In connection with this we request that your child come with a waterproof jacket, and hat.

Routines
Pre-school opens from 9am, there is a breakfast club from 7.45am to 9.00am for an extra charge. When children arrive we ask parents to help them hang up their coat and belongings and then support them in self-registering (this will be explained later). From 9.00-9.30am children have free choice of activities, while we wait for all the children to arrive. At 9.30am we have a circle, where we take the register, count the children, listen to any news etc.

After circle the staff offer focused activities (these may be offered indoors or outdoors or a combination of both), which are devised after careful observations of children and take into account their interests and possible next steps. The children choose which activity they join, but the activities are normally repeated over a week, ensuring that children have plenty of opportunities to join in if they wish.

Between 10am and 11am a healthy snack is offered to the children, which the children normally help prepare. Morning snack normally consists of a variety of fruit and a choice of milk or water to drink and afternoon snack normally consists of crackers or toast and more fruit along with the same choice of drinks.

At 9.30 the children have access to the outdoor area where this is also a variety of play opportunities are offered. Ofsted commended our outdoor play in our recent inspection and we as a staff team believe outdoor play an essential and beneficial part of the early years curriculum. Our policy is to play outdoors in all weathers so we recommend appropriate clothing, e.g. waterproofs and wellies when wet, hats, gloves and scarf's when cold etc.

At 11.20am we bring the children back indoors for music and a story. The lunch time period begins at 11.30am for 1 hour and then the routine is repeated in the afternoon with a variety of different activities to maintain the children's interest.

Self-registration etc
As previously mentioned the children are encouraged to self-register on arrival, this involves supporting your child in finding their name and displaying it by the corresponding number, so if your child is the 10th child to arrive at pre-school, their name would be stuck by the number 10.

In order to encourage children to recognise their name they also have their own named coat peg and a named drawer, where they place all their creations. The drawers also show a picture of your child to assist them in finding the right one.

Parents also have an allocated pigeon hole, which is situated in the cloak room, in these you will find newsletters, payment of fees, advertisements etc so we recommend you check these regularly.

Food and drink

Snack/Lunch time
At snack and meal times we aim to provide nutritious foods which meet the children's individual dietary needs. We aim to meet the full requirements as stated by Ofsted in the Care Standards for Food and Drink (Standard 8) We have snack mid morning and mid afternoon where we offer a selection of healthy foods including fruit, bread, crumpets and crackers. We have a choice of Milk or Water to drink. Children also have free access to water all through out the day.

Lunch time
Children bring a packed lunch, a selection of suitable foods for your child aiming to provide a balance and varied diet. We have facilities to warm up foods if your child would prefer. E.g. baked beans, toast. Our policy, over lunch time eating is for staff to encourage children to eat savoury foods before they begin their fruit, yoghurt etc. we are happy to give your children the food that you provide but would ask for your cooperation in trying to follow healthy options i.e. No fizzy drinks, a small amount of crisps and chocolate etc. if you wish to include any items that require refrigeration please give these labelled item to a member of staff who will place these in our fridge until lunch time.

Outings

Outings are arranged for the children to compliment our themes/projects. These outings enhance and reinforce in a practical way what your child is learning through the pre-school. First aid equipment would be taken. Mobile phones are also taken for use in an emergency.