What we do Settling your child in at Pre-School Pre-school is a big step for many children and some will take longer than others to settle. When your child is offered a place a visit day will be arranged to allow both you and your child the chance to familiarise yourselves with the staff, routine etc. You are welcome to stay with your child until settled. However you know your child best and if you feel that he/she will settle better if you leave, then let us know. Further details can also be found in our Settling In Policy.
Start of session We ask you to wait outside until the session is prepared and the door is opened. A member of staff supervises the door when open, thus preventing any child inadvertently going back outside.
Collecting your child Again please wait outside, we have story-time at the end of the session and interruptions spoil concentration. This is also a good time to talk to the Pre-school Leader or a member of staff, if you have anything to discuss. A “Collection Sheet” is available at the beginning of each session for you to fill in and sign. When you arrange for someone different than previously notified to collect your child please make sure they are aware of the pre-school password - we will not allow anyone to take your child without it. This can be obtained from any staff member.
Refreshments To encourage healthy eating, we ask that your child bring in fruit to have at snack time and a bottle with water for snack time and whenever they need it throughout the session.
The theme table We have a theme table and the children may bring in from home something relating to the theme. The work we do during a session is generally related to the current theme. Details of the themes are posted on the notice board, termly newsletter and the plan of topics is in our curriculum.
Communication As well as the newsletter, we send out weekly texts and each cohort has their own WhatsApp group where we keep you updated with what the children are doing at Pre-school. We also have a notice board out at the end of each session to tell you what we have been doing. We kept Learning Journals which keep a record of what your child whilst at Pre-School, we send these out regularly throughout the year for you to look at and the children get to take these home with them when they leave - a memento of their time at St. Nicholas Pre-School.
Library At each session the children are able to choose a book from our library. We provide a book folder to take it home in and include a home/school communication book. You are welcome to make a note of any comments or information you would like to share with us. We also use the book to feedback some of the children’s achievements.
We hope that you will find the time to read with your child.
Clothing We do a lot of art and craft activities, aprons are provided, but please dress your child in old clothes as accidents do happen. It would be helpful if you would put your child’s name in coats, sweatshirts, etc. We do have sweatshirts and polo shirts with the pre-school logo on, which are available for purchase.