Christ Church
Pre-School
Welcome to Christ Church Pre-School
Christ Church has had a Pre-School since the 1970's and for the last 25 years has been managed and run by Sue Reilly and supported by Deputy Manager Susan Wilkins.
The Vicar of Christ Church, Andrew Davey, gives his full support of the Pre-School and our ethos. He is also the registered person.
Children can be admitted from the age of 2.5-5 years. We are registered to receive the government funding which currently starts for children the term after they are 3 years of age. We also accept the working entitlement for 2 year olds and the Free for two funding.
Our sessions run from 9.15-12.15 Monday to Friday (term-time only). We employ nine trained members of staff, 8 staff members are qualified, and 1 member who is unqualified. All staff take part in ongoing professional development.
We maintain a high ratio of adults to children - one adult to five children at each session and actively encourage parents and grandparents to come and help us during our sessions.
Our Pre-School is a pack away which means we put everything away in a cupboard at the end of each session. Everything is set up every morning ready for the children's arrival. The hall is light and spacious and we have use of the kitchen and lobby and access to a large garden which we use on a daily basis. We plant fruit, vegetables and colourful plants and have use of an outside water tap so our plants don't get thirsty! There is a large sand pit and mud kitchen and many outdoor toys and resources. We strongly believe in outdoor play and believe children learn through the outdoors, the children are free to access the garden at any time during the session, we have even been known to be out during heavy snow and rain making snow angels and jumping in puddles! We make monthly trips to Shorne Country Park, where we spend the morning in a closed off area in the forest. The children also enjoy visiting the local library and surrounding area.
In 2011 and 2016 we gained an outstanding Ofsted report. Our current grade is good. To read the Ofsted report please click on the link below:
https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/127105
Parents play an important role in supporting their children during their time at Christ Church. They are children's first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work closely together during a child's early years the results have a positive impact on their development and learning.
Each child is designated a member of staff as a key person. Each person has a special responsibility for working with a small number of children, giving them the reassurance to feel safe and cared for. The key person will liaise closely with the parents in supporting their child and helping them to reach their full potential. We also use a buddy system so that if your child's key person is not at pre-school during the session then a designated person will take their place. Each child works at their own rate of development and their key worker will be there to discuss any questions you may have with regards to their development.
We work closely with outside professionals across a range of special educational needs. If you have any concerns about your child please talk to either your child's key person or the manager/deputy manager. We are also 'I CAN' accredited and have close links with speech and language experts.
We hope your child's time with us will be a happy one and that learning through play will be a good starting point for their future education and will evoke a lifelong love of learning and discovery.