Fees

Fees are charged for a morning, afternoon or full day session and an hourly rate; and are to be paid weekly, monthly, half-termly or termly in advance. Fees continue to be payable if a child is absent without notice or for a short time. In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult with the Pre-School Manager about fee payment. Each child’s attendance at the group is conditional upon continued payment of any necessary fees and where applicable proof of eligibility for Government funding.

The Government currently fund up to 15 hours for 3 & 4 year olds, also you can apply for an additional 15 hours (30 hours) there is a criteria of both (single parents who meet the criteria can also apply) parents need to be working a minimum of 16 hours each please check on ‘Childcare Choices’ online for more information, you will be allocated a reference code which you need to give to the setting along with your National Insurance Number. There is now a ‘Working Parents Funding’ for children aged 2 years. We also take funded 2 year olds there is a criteria to meet please see ‘Childcare Choices’ and if you are unsure either speak with the manager or try applying online and if you are successful you will be allocated a reference code which you will need to give to the setting. Funded sessions begin the term after their second or third birthday. The dates for qualification for funded two and three year olds are listed below:-

Starting Pre-school

The first days

A child who is tense or unhappy will not be able to play or learn properly, so it is important for parents and pre-school staff to work together to help the child to feel confident and secure in the group. This takes longer for some children than for others and parents should not feel worried if their child takes a while to settle. We provide lots of cuddles and reassurance and will always telephone to let you know if you need to return, should your child be very distressed. You are more than welcome to call and check that they have settled. All children are dropped off and picked up at the door which is easing the transition into pre-school. The pre-school’s policy on settling in pre-school is available to be read.

What to wear

In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send children dressed in clothes which are easily washable or not too new. We ask that all children wear suitable footwear in the hall, mainly for safety reasons, when using the larger climbing apparatus. Please change the children into their footwear at pre-school or brings some in to change at pre-school.

At Brookside we are lucky to have an outside area this means that we spend a lot of time outdoors, exploring the world around us and playing, so could you please send your child to pre–school with wellie boots and outdoor clothing suitable for the weather that day.

It is good for children to practise the skills, which will make them independent. Simple clothing which they can handle themselves will enable them to go to the toilet when they want to and to put on and take off their outdoor clothes without being too dependent on other people’s help.

Please could you label all of your child’s clothes and footwear?

In hot weather, Please put sun cream on your child before they come to pre-school. If the child attends for a full day, please ensure you all an all day sun cream this ensures your child is protected throughout the day. Due to allergies Please label your child’s sun cream. Also provide hats if the weather is sunny, also as mentioned before warm coats for the winter as we take them outside every day.

Illness

Parents are asked not to bring children to pre–school if they are unwell; in particular, children must be free of any diarrhoea or vomiting episodes for at least 48 hours after last episode before returning to pre–school.  Where a child suffers from a condition which requires regular monitoring and or dispensing of medicines, please notify our Manager, so then full discussions can be held between the staff and parents prior to the child commencing, to make sure that the health, safety and well-being of the child is not compromised whilst attending pre–school.

Collection of children procedure

Parents must make known to staff, the person who will regularly be picking up their child from pre–school.

In the case that someone else will be collecting your child from pre–school, Please inform the person collecting your child of a password and inform us of the password too. Inform a member of staff before the session if you will not be collecting your child, preferably when the child arrives at pre–school. In the event of an unseen circumstance, please telephone and let us know so that we can also tell the child to prepare them beforehand.

Under no circumstances will a child be allowed to leave the pre–school with anyone, other than a parent, known carer or a named person who will then be asked to provide the password.

Please collect your child promptly at the end of their session, as five minutes to a child waiting is a very long time.

Sessions

A Breakfast Club is available daily from 8.15am. 

The morning session begins at 9.15am and finishes at 12.15pm please arrive promptly for drop off as arriving late sometimes unsettles the child, it is important to collect you child promptly at 12.15pm as this again upsets the child and also we only have a short time before the afternoon session begins.

The afternoon session begins at 11.30/12.30pm and finishes at 2.30pm, 

The full day session begins at 9.15am and finishes at 2.30pm, Thank you.

Late Collection

If you are late collecting your child you will be invoiced for this, between 5-15 minutes late you will be charged £5.00, 15 minutes plus you will be charged £10. These additional charges will be enforced if you are late repeatedly and without informing us.

We hope that your child’s time in pre-school will be a very happy and productive one. If you have any queries, or if we can be of any help, please contact the Manager at any time. There are photos and a list of staff names and roles on the Pre–school notice board.

A Typical Brookside Day

This all subject to change.

Free Play

Free flow play takes place throughout the session as the children move freely between the hall and garden. Numbers are constantly monitored and the staff move between areas to maintain the correct child: adult ratio at all times

These timetables are a very basic guide to our day; the children are encouraged to flow freely between activities both indoors and outdoors. They are encouraged to ask for resources that they need to further their play and to work together, sharing ideas and planning their own activities.

We also abandon the timetable if unexpected opportunities occur, such as the sun shining or snow falling.

But above all else, learning through play, should be FUN!!!