Pre-School sessions are Monday - Friday from 9am - 3pm term time only.

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At every session the children are greeted by a member of staff and enter the main room for morning exercise until everybody has arrived. 
 

A visual timetable (symbols in sequence) guides us through our main daily routines – hello, circle time, choosing time, cafe, tidy up, story time and goodbye.  We always start our day with a hello song and finish each session with a goodbye song. 

  

Cafe is offered once a day, this is usually a choice of milk or water to drink accompanied by a healthy snack of seasonal fruit and veg.  Water is available throughout the session for all children to access a drink. 

  

Children are asked to bring a packed lunch – please see a team member for lunchbox guidelines.  This is a fun learning experience for all children and staff alike. 

  

Choosing time is when your child can access all available opportunities on the day – inside or outside, clean or very messy! 

Probably a good time to mention - please don’t send your child in best clothes we do occasionally like to jump in puddles or do some splashy painting and get quite messy!   
 

It is a really good idea for your child to bring a spare set of clothing along in a bag. Please ensure that all their belongings are named. 

  

Funding  

The term after your child turns 3, they will be entitled to the 15 hours flexible funding (nursery grant), you may also be able to apply for the 30-hour funding code if you meet the criteria.  
 

Your  Little Squirrel, you may also be eligible for 2-year funding, if you meet the criteria. 
 

For more information on funding please go to the childcare choice's website at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

  

Weather Aware 

It is very important that you are weather aware – if it is really cold always ensure your child is appropriately dressed as we do access outside play in all weathers.   

The same applies when the weather is very hot – please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately and that they are wearing a really good sun block enabling them to access outside play.   

Any child not appropriately dressed will be kept safely inside. 

  

Collection of your child 

Always let us know if you are not collecting your child – a diary is available for you write in – please enter name of person and a contact phone no.  Please also be aware this must always be a responsible adult. 

If there is an emergency, please do not worry but inform us as soon as possible – 01788 576167. 

Dependent on circumstances, we reserve the right to charge parents for the additional hours worked by staff.  A late fee of £10 for each 10 minutes can be charged. 

  

Key Person 

A key person is allocated to every child – You will be introduced at your stay and play meeting. 

  

Sickness 

It is very important that you keep us up to date with telephone number /address changes, as if your child is unwell or has an accident while they are with us, we will need contact you straight away. 

If for any reason your child is unable to come in for their session, please can you give us a ring or email (before 9.30am) as we need to keep our records up to date for auditing and for the safety of everyone. 

Infectious diseases e.g., Chicken Pox should be reported to staff as soon as possible.  Notifiable infectious diseases also need to be reported to staff as in turn we have to notify Ofsted. 

  

Safeguarding 

Safeguarding is a  priority for us at Squirrels – keeping everyone safe is important to us.  Please do not hesitate to speak to us if any issues arise. 

 

Internet Safety 

At Squirrels we are following the Smartie the Penguin program for internet safety, please have a look and share this information with all your family, there is a link button at the bottom of this page. 

https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Online-Smartie-the-Penguin-for-EYFS.ppt 

 

The Ofsted report is also available for you to see in setting. 

 

Please be assured that we understand that you know your child best and at every step we are happy to be guided by this knowledge.  We welcome your input into your child's learning journey as their time with us grows.  We also value your help, if you have a special talent please come in and share it with us all.  If you have some spare time and would enjoy seeing the setting in action, please let us know. Any role big or small we would be pleased to welcome you. 

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