General Information

Lower Willingdon Pre-School Nursery offers children the opportunity to develop in a caring and secure environment. Together with this, it follows a carefully planned curriculum, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. This includes the following areas of learning (which is shared with more details under the ‘Development‘ section of the website):-

  • Personal and Social Development

  • Communication and Language

  • Physical Development

  • Maths

  • Literacy

  • Understanding of the World

  • Expressive Arts

This is delivered daily in a lively and interesting way to incorporate the uniqueness of each individual child.  The role play areas and activities/resources on offer, reflect the interests of the children to enable the greatest opportunity for learning and development.

The children have continuous access to a secure outdoor play area attached to the pre-school.  Undercover play areas located around the building enable all year round outdoor provision.

The children have the opportunity to socialise and interact freely with both children and adults. They are encouraged to respect other’s feelings and opinions and to be polite and helpful.

We believe that learning should be fun, and that children who are having fun will be learning.

Our aim is to allow all children to fulfil their own individual potential within a happy environment. By giving reassurance, praise and encouragement to the children, they will develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

To optimise the children’s learning it is essential that we do so using the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’.  The characteristics describe how a child learns.

When children are left to explore a stimulating learning environment on their own, they will learn through playing and exploring.  Children need support from us, as skilful practitioners, who have the knowledge of when to intervene and give guidance. This support helps the children make significant progress in their learning. We look closely at their emotional and intellectual abilities and find out what they can do, therefore knowing when to challenge children and when to let them embed their own learning. When planning activities or experiences we take into account the different ways in which the children learn and reflect these in practice.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Playing and exploring

Finding out and exploring
Playing with what they know
Being willing to ‘have a go.’

Active learning

Being involved and concentrating
Keeping trying
Enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and thinking critically

Having their own ideas
Making links
Choosing ways to do things

Attached is some information to give further details about the Characteristics-of-Effective-Learning-Posters-for-Parents.

Outings and Visits

Throughout the year we organise various outings for the children, including the very popular summer visit to Blackberry Farm. We also arrange visits from the local community and encourage parents to come in to share any skills and knowledge that they have with the children.

All the children take an active role in our annual Nativity Play, and Sports Day, which is held at the end of the summer term. 

Equal Opportunities

We offer equal opportunities to all children regardless of gender, culture or religion.  We celebrate festivals throughout the year, as well as those relating to any child who attends our setting.

Special Needs

We welcome children with special needs, and will work in conjunction with parents and outside professionals in order to meet their needs.

Health and Safety

All staff complete formal Paediatric First Aid training.

It is important that the supervisor on duty is informed of any medication prescribed to your child.  Children with infectious diseases should not attend pre-school.  It is important that you notify us of any infectious diseases within your home, in the interest of all children attending pre-school.

In the event of your child having an accident while at pre-school, you will be informed and asked to sign an accident form.

Fire drills are carried out on a regular basis.

We are fully insured through the Early Years Alliance and registered and inspected by Ofsted, in compliance with the Children Act.

Hours

These are from 8.45am to 11.45pm daily and 12.30pm to 3.00pm.

We offer a daily Breakfast Club 7.30 to 8.45am and lunch supervision from 11.45 to 12.30pm. An After School Club is also run daily between 3.00pm and 5.15pm.