WELCOME TO
PEPPERPOT
BATHFORD PRESCHOOL
Monday to Friday mornings 9.15am – 11.45am
Monday, Wenesday &
Thursday 12.45pm – 3.00pm
A lunch club runs on selected days when viable
We welcome any child from the age of 2 years 6 months for a minimum of 2 sessions per week, subject to availability
Pepperpot is a community group with charitable
status. It has been running
independently for over 20 years and is a member of the Preschool Learning
Alliance. In January 2001 we moved into
purpose-built premises funded by a grant from the National Lottery Charities
Board. We have close links with the
school and work hard to ensure that the transition from preschool into
If you would like to visit us with your child during one of our sessions, please contact
Sue Costello, Playgroup Leader
Tel: 01225 859437
We offer:
· Essential early learning opportunities in an environment that promotes education, confidence, independence and self-esteem.
· The opportunity for children to make friends and develop educationally in a caring atmosphere.
· Experienced staff qualified in working with pre-school children.
· A high level of adult support. Normally an adult to child ratio of 1:5.
· An extensive range of educational equipment chosen to offer a range of challenging experiences to aid you child’s learning.
· Opportunities for parents to participate in their children’s education and the running of the group.
THE PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
We offer an educational curriculum that works towards approved early learning goals by using a high level of adult support to harness children’s natural interest and curiosity. We plan and implement the curriculum to build on children’s educational play activities in order to promote learning in key areas.
MATHEMATICS
Learning through practical activities, mathematical concepts such as number, size, shape, time, quantity and sequence.
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
Developing their skills and education by discovering the joy of books, stories, rhymes and conversation.
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Teaching and developing independence, confidence and the ability to share and take turns. Developing respect for themselves and others including others with differing needs, views and cultures.
CREATIVITY
Learning how to express ideas, feelings in imaginative and creative ways.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Physical strength, skill and control in both large and small muscles are developed through fun based lessons.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Learning about the environment and everyday technology through practical experience and discussion.
The preschool educational program prepares children to move onto all areas of the National Curriculum at the end of the Reception Year.
MANAGEMENT
A committee runs Pepperpot. The committee is elected in June/July by parents who attend an Annual General Meeting. It is responsible for reviewing policy and practice, setting fees and staff salaries, arranging fund raising activities, trips and parties. All parents are encouraged to be actively involved within the setting and the committee.
Our policy statements are enclosed in your child’s file that you will receive on joining the setting. All policies are designed to offer the best possible educational and social experience for the children and families in the group. They are reviewed on a regular basis, so comments and suggestions are always welcome. We ask that you read the file of policy documents, sign itand return it to us at your earliest convenience.
The parents are kept informed of Pepperpot’s
news through a regular newsletter and a notice board situated within the
setting, which we advise you to read on a daily basis.
FEES
Fees are payable at the first session of each month. A note of all fees, payable monthly or by the half term will be posted on the notice board. Please make your cheque payable to ‘Bathford Preschool’. Fees for sessions and lunchclubs must be paid even if your child is absent. Attendance of the group is conditional upon continued payment of fees or eligibility for Nursery grant from BANES. A £40.00 non-returnable deposit is required when you wish to register your child for a place at Pepperpot. This will then be credited to your child’s final month’s fees. If you decide to withdraw your child you will be required to give one month’s notice or one month’s fees in lieu of notice.
NURSERY GRANTS
Pepperpot is registered to accept government nursery grants. If your child is three years old (or where special circumstances apply) you will be eligible to receive a grant. Should this grant not cover the full cost you may be asked to pay the difference, especially when the term is more than 11 weeks long as the grant only runs for 11 weeks per term.
We are regularly inspected by OFSTED and have received highly commendable reports. A copy of these are available should you wish to read them.
STAFF
Pepperpot has four qualified and experienced members of staff, rota parent and voluntary helpers who all help to provide the children with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Pepperpot (answer-phone out of hours) Tel:01225 852555
Sue Costello Leader Tel: 01225 859437
Helen Szweda Deputy Leader
Erica Davies Assistant
Maria Vale Assistant
ROTA
Parents/carers are expected to participate in the setting during one entire session, approximately twice each half term. The dates are displayed on the notice board for you to fill in a session that is convenient for you to attend. We realise that this system is not feasible for all parents, in which case a close relation or friend can take your place. Alternatively you can choose to pay the equivalent of one session’s fees for each session that you are unable to do or provide cover for. This system enables us to achieve our non-profit goals whilst offering you the parent/carers a valuable hands on experience of your child’s first educational setting and most importantly the children are always so proud to share with you this important part of their lives.
STARTING
Most children settle very happily at pre-school in a
remarkably short period of time. We
advise you to be prepared to stay with your child for at least the first session, or longer if they need you. Our skilled staff are
always on hand to support you and your child to ensure that your individual
child settles in as easily as possible.
Please listen to the stories and songs they bring home and be enthusiastic about anything they may have done during the session. They may not have ‘produced’ anything to show you, but be assured they will have ‘worked’ hard.
WHAT TO WEAR
Your
child should wear clothing that is comfortable to enable exploration of the
setting. To prevent accidents on the
larger apparatus avoid restrictive or baggy items. Your child will be investigating a wide range
of messy materials it is inevitable , despite the use
of aprons, that clothing will become stained.
We therefore strongly suggest that you put your child in old clothes
that are easily washed. In order for
your child to dress and go to the toilet independently please avoid belts,
braces and other difficult fastenings.
The ideal items of clothing are jogging bottoms with t-shirts and sweat
shirts. To help you with this
consideration and to promote your child’s sense of community you can purchase
Pepperpot sweatshirts and t-shirts from the setting, they are not
compulsory. Indoor shoes such as
slippers or daps are required and should be kept in a dap bag on their pegs
with a set of spare clothes. We can
arrange for dap bags to be made for you at a small charge. Please ensure that all items of clothing are
named.
0915 Register taken - Group discussion about the morning’s activities.
0930 Educational
activities:
A wide range of educational apparatus, which relate to the curriculum and
the current topic are made available for the children to explore. The equipment
is changed each and every week. They are
free to play with whatever they choose, although they are encouraged to become
involved in most activities.
1015 Tidy up time. The children’s organisational skills are developed by encouraging them to help put the toys away.
1025 Music time.
1045 Break time - milk or water, fruit and biscuits.
1100 Physical education – A wide range of apparatus are explored to ensure a variety of lessons which are all great fun.
1130 Story time
1145 Home time
A register is kept on the table by the entrance.
·
Please sign in your child as soon as you
arrive.
If someone other than the parent is collecting, please
write their name alongside your child’s entry in the register
Our main concern is that your
child should have a happy, yet stimulating time with us. We are committed to helping to provide
equality of opportunity to all children and their families.
If you would like to discuss the group’s ability to
meet your own child’s special needs, please contact the pre-school leader.