Welcome
to Walton Under Fives Pre-School
|
Walton Under Fives Pre-School
The Pre-School have been situated at the ‘New Village Hall’ since
January 2000. A new committee run efficiently ensured the group continued to
develop and offer a high standard of care and education whilst establishing
itself within the village. May 2000 we had our first Ofsted an achieved ‘Generally
Good’. We were to improve on this in January 2004 with an excellent Ofsted
report ‘High Quality’. The icing on the cake!
Looking Back
The previous playgroup facility in Walton was privately run and folded in July
1994. This meant that local families had to look outside the village to provide
their children with pre-school education. A successful toddler group was
already in place at the ‘Old Methodist Hall’ and Walton Primary
was already established. One parent set about filling that gap and came forward
with bags of enthusiasm and at that time very little financial support. With
her help in 1995 Walton Toddler Group parents decided to set up a community
run playgroup and a committee was formed in June 1995. Walton Playgroup opened
its doors September 1995 with 5 children on the register opening 2 mornings
a week. At the end of the first year this increased to 10 children 3 mornings
a week and in September 1996 it increased again to 12 children and 4 mornings
a week. It had two members plus regular helpers, and a well-supported parent
rota. Without the support of the Methodist Church, Parish Council, Local
Businesses and the generosity of Michael Eavis the group would not have been
established or even survived those early years. The facilities at the hall
were a little worse for wear, no telephone, calor gas fire for heating, no
hot water and the loo roll was damp before you even used it! However light
was at the end of the tunnel as the new village hall was to be built in Walton
giving us that opportunity to move forward.
Walton Under Fives Pre-School
The pre-school is situated in a beautiful countryside setting with views overlooking
Glastonbury Tor. We our located in ‘The New Village Hall’ a modern
building within Walton Village and walking distance of Walton Primary School.
Inside it is light, spacious and has good facilities such as a kitchen, stage,
low level sink and toilet, baby changing area and disabled access/toilet. It
is used for many community events and is available to hire for private functions.
There are many regular groups such as Badminton, Short-mat Bowls, Line-Dancing,
Cricket and Women’s Institute. A multi-games unit has recently been built
outside the hall and is available to hire. For further enquiries telephone
the booking clerk Tel No:
Ofsted Report
January 2004
High Quality Provision
Working in Partnership
The pre-school is run by an elected group of parents who help organise fund
raising events throughout the year enabling us to purchase or replace new
equipment and resources for the children. They also monitor the finances,
employ staff and keep families informed of changes within the pre-school.
It can be very rewarding working as part of the team.
Our Staff
The group’s qualified, experienced, professional and caring staff are
responsible for the day to day management of the sessions and development of
the curriculum. Training is on going within the group and the development of
our staff is a high priority. They are constantly in touch with new thinking
in the field of child education and care. They regularly attend workshops and
courses run by professional agencies. We support the work of our staff by means
of regular monitoring and appraisals.
Pre-School Leader
Julie Turner
Deputy/Special Educational Needs/Equal Opportunities Coordinator
Bev Rowley
Pre-School Assistants
Alison Shirley
Sally Culliford
Child Ratios
We offer a high standard of care, which enables us to support all children
throughout their learning and provide a safe environment for them to explore.
The ratio as set by Ofsted is: -
1 adult to every 4 children aged 2yrs 6mths
1 adult to every 8 children aged 3 to 4 yrs
Our Aims and Objectives
Young children will have a wide range of different experiences, skills and
interests when they join our setting. We aim to produce a well planned and
resourced curriculum to take their learning forward building on what children
already know, can do and where their interests are. Provide opportunities for
all children to succeed in a happy atmosphere of care and of feeling valued,
showing each child they are accepted as an individual. Offer rich and stimulating
experiences where all children can explore, experiment, plan and make decisions
for themselves, enabling them to learn and develop the skills to help prepare
them for school within a safe and secure play environment.
We will provide opportunities for all children and their families/carers to be directly involved with their children’s activities, progress and achievements. To promote public interest in the pre-school and recognition of the continuing needs of children in our local area.
Philosophy
Our philosophy is providing well planned play in which all children learn with
enjoyment and challenge. Building on their natural curiosity, interests and
creativity. Supporting their needs enabling them to achieve and feel good
about what they have accomplished.
Additional Needs
Walton Under Fives recognises the DFEE code of practice on the early identification
of additional educational needs. Children with additional needs, like all
other children, are admitted to the pre-school after consultation between:
-
Parents/Carers
Pre-School Leader
Mrs Julie Turner
Special Educational Needs/Equal
Opportunities Coordinator
Bev Rowley
Other Agencies
Health Visitor
Speech Therapists
Physiotherapists
Foundation Advisors
We aim to provide an accessible and safe environment where all children can explore and enjoy a wide range of activities and new experiences. If you would like to discuss the group’s ability to meet your child’s needs, please contact the Pre-School Leader
Mrs Julie Turner
Tel No: 01458 841660
Birth To Three Matters Framework
High quality childcare is a crucial step towards ensuring that all children
arrive at school ready to learn. It assures parents that their children are
well cared for. This framework is for all those who work with and care for
all children aged birth to three (please note we cater for all children aged
from 2.6 - 5 years of age). It values and celebrates babies and children and
recognises:
Their individuality, efforts and achievements
That all children have from birth a need to develop, learning through interaction
with people and exploration of the world around them
The holistic nature of development and learning
Acknowledges, values and supports the adults that work with babies and young
children
It provides opportunities for reflection on practice
It informs and develops practice whilst acknowledging that working with babies
and children is a complex, challenging and demanding task and that often there
are no easy answers
It supports all children in their earliest years and provides a firm basis
for and clear links with the Foundation Stage.
It Identifies Four Aspects:
The Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage begins when children reach the age of three; the last
year of the Foundation Stage is often described as the reception year when
most children have joined a reception class at an infant or primary school.
It will make a positive contribution to your child’s early development
and learning. Children develop physically, intellectually, emotionally and
socially during this time at different stages. The Foundation Stage is about
developing key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentration,
persistence and learning to work together and cooperate with other children
and adults. It is also about developing early communication, literacy and
numeracy skills that will prepare young children for key stage one of the
national curriculum.
Parents As Partners
Parents are a child’s first and most enduring educators. When parents
work together with the early years setting the results have a positive impact
on the child’s development and learning. We have a key worker system
within the group. This simple means a member of staff will be allocated to
your child. They will help you and your child settle in as smoothly as possible,
be responsible for your child’s records and a point of contact if you
have any concerns. We welcome parents/carers to join us and help within the
setting through our regular newsletter. Taking part in your child’s early
years learning can be very rewarding indeed.
The following pages give a brief outline of the six ‘Early Learning Goals’ that your child will be working towards within the Foundation Stage. These stepping-stones are big steps to take and will often continue right through to the end of the Foundation Stage.
Early Learning Goals
Knowledge & Understanding Of The World
Mathematical Development
Physical Development
Creative Development
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Communication, Language & Literacy
Examples of photographs linked to stepping stones...
Recording, Progress, Observations & Reporting To Parents/Carers
When your child starts at Pre-School they are observed in order to build up
a picture of their existing skills and abilities. These observations are
recorded and then assessed to identify strengths and weaknesses in all six
areas of development.
The assessments are used to inform the planning of the play and other activities within the group, which are used to help support weaknesses and build on strengths. This information is recorded in your child’s individual record book by your designated key worker. You are welcome to see this information at any time. We encourage parents/carers/children to share information by completing a home-link book ‘All About Me’. A Home Assessment Record is also sent to parents each term. A written progress report is provided during the Spring and Summer Term.
Sessions
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
9.00 - 12.00 = 3 hours
(lunchbox supervision optional) 12.00 - 1.00 = 1 hour
Hourly Rate £2.16
Fees
Fees are payable weekly/monthly or in full. Fees are payable if a child is
ill short term or on holiday. Please note your child will be eligible for
funding the term following their third birthday.
Funded Children
The Department for Education and Skills will fund the following in each funding
period:
Summer Term: maximum of 163 hours
Autumn Term: maximum of 175 hours
Spring Term: maximum of 137 hours
To claim the funding, hours have to be used in blocks, minimum of 2 and maximum of 5 per day. The claim must be in whole hours. After you have used your entitlement you will be charged at the hourly rate £2.16.
Policies
Our policy and practices document is given to all parents/carers on joining
the group and is reviewed on a regular basis. Comments and suggestions from
parents and carers are always welcome. For a copy of this document in advance
or if you require more information please contact the Pre-School Leader.
Morning Timetable
This is flexible enabling us to follow the children's needs and interests
9.00 - 9.30
Free play with a different selection of toys, computer games and activities
available each day
9.30 - 9.50
Circle time with registration, weather, letter of the week and sharing time
9.50 - 10.30
Free choice of creative play, water, sand, selection of toys and activities
inside/outside. During this time the children are encouraged to take part in
fun, educational games and activities
10.30 - 11.00
Snack time
11.00 - 11.35
A choice of free play inside/outside, large play apparatus, music, physical
games or circle time
11.35 - 12.00/1.00
Tidy up time, story time, lunch or home time
We our developing our own enclosed garden where the children can grow, observe and look after plants as well as enjoying other fun activities. Within safe walking distance we also make the most of our local park, adjoining fields and new multi-games unit for physical games and play.
Special Events
The children and their families are welcome to take part in special events
and celebrations throughout the year: -
Summer Outing
Local Visits
Fund-Raising Events
Children's Parties
Christmas Nativity
End of Term Family Party
Useful Items To Do
Small bag or rucksack with a change of clothes labelled with your child’s
name
Nappies, trainer pants, wet wipes if needed
Soothers, comforts, special toys, blankets if needed
All coats, jackets labelled with your child’s name
Sun-hat and sunscreen labelled with your child’s name
Lunchbox with cool pack labelled with your child’s name
Wellington Boots labelled with your child’s name
Supply named water bottle