The children are taught by enthusiastic and experienced staff. There is a ratio of one staff to four children or less. The emphasis is on play, social development and fun.

There are excellent resources with a full range of equipment and new toys.

During the sessions a variety of activities are available to the children from painting and craftwork to music, singing, story telling, role-playing, as well as structured and free play. Like the older children  the group have a chance to be involved in a Nativity Play,  Sports day,  walks, Farm visits and many other outings There is a safe outdoor play area with outdoor play equipment.

Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend.

Sessions are held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9.15 until 12.00am during school term time. The cost is £6 a session payable in advance for each half term although we also accept Nursery Education Vouchers.

Your child can attend any number of sessions although we do recommend 2 sessions per week for continuity.

When the children are 3 they may move up to the playschool.

Experienced and qualified staff guide the children in their experience of learning through play. The six Key Learning Areas of Social and Personal Leaning, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Creative and Physical Development and Knowledge and Understanding of the World are approached using a large variety of resources and equipment.

The sessions have a structure to start to familiarise the children with a routine. There is plenty of opportunity for free play both inside and outside in the safe playground which is next to a field.

There are themes for each half of term and art, music, stories and outings link the theme together, with the aim of giving the children a multi- sensory, stimulating learning experience.

The children have a chance to be involved in a Nativity Play, Sports Day, Woodland walks and Farm visits each year as well as other outings and end of term parties.

There is a group for 4 year olds, which is held one session a week with a qualified member of staff in the summer term. This gives the older children the opportunity to experience the type of teaching they will receive in Reception class as they graduate on to school.

The sessions for 3-5 year olds are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 0915 until 1200. The additional 4 year old group is held on Mondays from 0915 until 1200. The playschool follows 3 school terms. A Lunch Club is also offered when possible.

The cost is £6 a session payable in advance for each half term although we also accept Nursery Education Vouchers.

Sessions may vary according to demand.

Parent helpers :

We encourage participation by parents during sessions on a voluntary basis. This policy reinforces the community basis of our playschool and it allows parents to gain hands-on experience of how the playschool operates. It also provides the ideal opportunity to talk to your child’s Key Worker about your child’s progress. There is a rota for parent helpers which parents can join if they wish to do so. This is a chance to talk to your child’s Key Worker, to observe your child in the playschool setting and just to play. We encourage this by creating a rota for parent helpers but are flexible to the varying needs of individual parents. We are always willing to discuss any concerns about the parent helper rota. Parents are usually asked to help once or twice per term, depending on the number of children. Parent helpers do not make up the staff/child ratio.

Outings and Parties :

We organize a number of outings during the year which the children always enjoy.  We usually have a woodland walk during the autumn term.  In the spring term we visit the farm of Joe and Viv Grant to see the newborn lambs.  During the summer term we have a Sports Day and a summer outing.  There is also a party for the children at Christmas time at which a seasonal visitor makes an appearance to check that the children are on his Good List!