OFSTED No: 123755

Paradise Crescent, Evercreech, BA4 6LR

01749 831338

Acornsoffice@evercreech.ppat365.org

PROSPECTUS

Introduction

1. Acorns is part of Evercreech C of E Primary School and is situated on the same site. We are part of the Preston Primary Academy Trust.
2. This prospectus has been designed to give you information about our pre-school and should answer many of your questions. If you would like any further information, please feel free to speak to any member of staff.

Acorns Pre-School

3. Our aim is to:

a.         Provide high quality care and education for children aged from 2 years up until they                          join reception class at primary school.

b.         Work in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop.

c.         Add to the life and well being of the local community.

d.         Offer children and their parents a service which promotes equality and values for each and every child’s individuality.

e.         Follow the “Early Years Foundation Stage Framework,” which covers: Communication and Language, Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Dhysical Development, Literacy, Maths (SKTM – specialist knowledge in teaching maths), Understanding the World and Creative Development)

Starting at Acorns Pre-School

4. Admissions Policy. 

Your child’s name may be placed on the waiting list at any time. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis. Any places not taken will then be offered to the child next on the list until all places are full.

5.         The First Days.

a.         You are welcome to visit Acorns to meet with your child’s Key Person and see our setting. This will give you the opportunity to discuss any needs or concerns you may have, and to ask any questions

b.         Once your child has settled in at Acorns you may wish to increase the amount of sessions your child attends. If you require extra sessions for your child please let our admin assistant know whether it is likely to be a permanent or temporary arrangement, and we will do our best to accommodate you if we have vacancies. If appropriate, fees must be paid for the extra sessions.

c.         Please let us know if you no longer require any sessions, so that we can offer the place to another child. All changes to sessions must be made via the pre-school.

 

Links with Evercreech C of E Primary School

6. We work closely with the Early Years Lead, Reception Teacher, the Head Teacher and other support staff at the school. We are lucky to have the opportunity to take our pre-school children over to the school, and can also use the school playground and peace garden.
7. The pre-school cannot register children for infant school, and it is for the parents to complete the school application forms for your chosen school choices, and register their children if they wish them to be considered for a place.
8. Being part of the school since September 2017 and PPAT from January 2025 has given us increased support and opportunities for the children.
9. Acorns hope that both you and your child enjoy being members of our pre-school and that you find taking part in our activities interesting and stimulating. The staff are always ready and willing to talk with you about your ideas, views and questions.

Acorns Pre-School

10,       As a member of Acorns Pre-School your child:

a.         Is in a safe, secure and stimulating environment.

b.         Is allocated a Key Person to ensure dedicated care and attention.

c.         Has the opportunity to play alongside other children and adults allowing them to interact socially, form friendships and learn together.

d.         Is encouraged to reach their own individual goals in every aspect of learning and development.

e.         Has the chance to experience the enjoyment of literacy and numeracy through well chosen activities.

f.          Is helped to create habits of listening, sharing, concentration, and to have a sense of pride in their own achievements.

g.         Is in a pre-school which sees you the parent/carer as a partner in helping your child to learn and develop.

11.       The service offered at Acorns:

a.         Our pre-school is open approximately 38 weeks of the year.

b.         We currently offer Sessional day care 5 days per week: 9.00am - 3.00pm.

c.         We are open term time only, additional Inset Days are confirmed each academic year in line with the school.

Fees

12.       A copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport is required when your child starts at Acorns. You will also be required to sign a copy of our Fees Policy.

13.       The fees are currently: morning session £15.00 (9.00am – 12.00pm), afternoon session £15.00 (12.00pm – 3.00pm). A lunch club may be added to a morning session bringing the fees to £20.00 for a 9.00am-1.00pm session.

14.       We offer three different ways to pay fees: weekly, monthly or termly. Invoices are sent out termly at the start of each term.

15.       If fees are not paid within 7 days, parents will receive a reminder letter free of charge. If fees remain unpaid 7 days after the first letter a further reminder letter will be sent out after and a £10 admin fee incurred. If after the second letter the outstanding fees have not been paid, within 14 days, legal proceedings may be commenced without any further notice, and at the discretion of the Pre-school the child may not be allowed to return. Fees must still be paid if your child is absent for a short period of time. If your child has to be absent over a long period of time, please speak with the Pre-school Administrator.

Please do not hesitate to speak to the pre-school administrator if you are having problems paying.

16.       For your child to keep his/her place at the pre-school, you must pay the fees. If you experience any difficulties with payments, please let us know and we will do our best to help.

17.       We also accept children who are 2-year-old funded, as well as those in receipt of Universal Early Years Entitlement (15 hours per week) and Extended Entitlement (additional 15 hours) for children of working parents.

18.       All information on funding options for children aged from 2 years to 15 (or 16 if disabled) years is available at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Working together with your children

19.       Acorns pre-school has a high ratio of adults to children in the setting. This enables us to work under the Key Person system, which ensures that we:

a.         Give time and attention to each child.

b.         Talk with the children about their own personal interests and activities extending them when appropriate.

c.         Allow the children to explore and be adventurous in safety.

d.         Observe and record each child’s personal achievements.

Staff

20.       Our staff appointments are:

Pauline - Pre-School Leader, Safeguarding Lead full time

Vicky - Pre-School Assistant, Deputy Leader Mon, Tues, Weds + Fri

Lauren - Pre-School Assistant, Early Years SENCo Mon, Weds +Thurs

Molly - Pre-School Assistant full time

Shannon - Pre-school Assistant full time

Sine - Pre-School Administrator (Mon, Weds and Fri 9am – 1pm)

21.       All staff are C.R.B. checked and have relevant and up to date childcare qualifications, and paediatric first aid qualifications

Learning opportunities for staff

22.       As well as gaining qualifications in Early Years Care and Education, the pre-school staff attend Provider Meetings, and take part in regular training, which means that they are always up to date with the thinking and guidelines for Early Years Care and Education. All staff are First Aid trained and receive regular updated training, in addition all staff receive regular Safeguarding training.

How parents take part in the pre-school

23.       Acorns recognises parents/carers as the first and foremost important educators of their children. All staff see themselves as co-workers with you in providing care and education for your child. There are many ways in which parents can take part in making the pre-school a welcoming and stimulating place for learning, such as:

a.         Exchanging knowledge about their children’s needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff.

b.         Sharing their own special interests with the children.

c.         Taking part in events and fund-raising for the benefit of the pre-school.

d.         Joining in community activities in which the pre-school participates.

 

The Pre-School’s timetable

24.       Acorns pre-school believes that care and education are equally important in the experience we offer children. The routines and activities that make up the pre-school’s session are provided in ways that:

a.         Help each child to feel that she/he is a valued member of the pre-school.

b.         Ensure the safety of each child.

c.         Help children to gain from the social experience of being part of a group.

d.         Provide children with opportunities to learn and help them to value learning.

The session

25.       The pre-school organises its sessions so that the children can choose from a range of activities. This encourages them to select and work through a task to its completion. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult led small and large group activities which introduce them to new experiences and help them to gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to share and take turns with others. The pre-school has space so that the children can enjoy outdoor activities every day, whatever the weather, we have access to bikes and scooters and in addition they can enjoy playing in the nature area within the peace garden, the children can even create wonderful recipes in the mud kitchen. These activities contribute to children’s health, physical development and their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. The children have the opportunity, and are encouraged, to take part in both child chosen and adult led activities.

26.       We believe in learning through play. A copy of our Ethos is displayed on our notice board.

Tapestry

27.       We use an online system called Tapestry to record your child’s progress. Parents/carers have access to this with a secure password. This means that you can see what your child has been doing at Pre-school and how that is linked to the EYFS. We add observations and newsletters for you to see.

28.       You will be sent a link to Tapestry when your child starts with us, if you have any problems please let us know.

Clothing

29.       Please send your child in clothes which you do not mind getting messy. Acorns do provide aprons for the children; however, clothes may still show traces of a messy activity.

30.       The pre-school encourages children to gain the skills which help them to be independent and to look after themselves, these include supporting the children in toilet training. Clothing which is easy for them to manage will assist us to do this.

31.       Acorns do have some wet weather trousers and jackets for the children to wear whilst out in the rain and puddle splashing, however if your child does have their own then it is asked that they bring them into pre-school – please try and avoid all in one suits as children find these difficult to put on and take off. We also ask that a pair of wellies and a change of clothes are in school at all times so that all children can experience the joy of wet weather play.  To ensure that your child wears and takes home their own clothing and boots we ask that all clothes and wellies are named.

Jewellery

32.       For safety reasons children are not permitted to wear jewellery in pre-school, with the exception of stud earrings. Cultural and religious requirements will be respected, but please discuss these with the Pre-School Lead. In this case the parent/carer must provide a signed waiver of liability to the pre-school. This will state that the pre-school will not be held responsible for loss of, or injury caused by, the jewellery. Staff will use their discretion and may remove any jewellery from children, however this will be placed in the office and returned to the parents at the end of the session.

Personal hygiene/toilet training

33.       Acorns accept all children, whatever stage of their personal development they are at with regard to toilet training. If your child is using nappies then the pre-school needs to be informed, and parents/carers need to provide a change of clothes alongside nappies, wipes and nappy bags.

34.       When your child needs to be changed or helped to use the toilet his/her appointed Key Person will assist and support your child. (All staff are CRB checked)

Snacks

35.       After we have taken the register in the morning Acorns offer a slice of toast, a crumpet or cracker to the children, they choses whether to have it or not. We offer a whole group snack time for the children between 10.30am and 10.45am. We sit in small groups (often Key groups) with an adult and the children are encouraged to pour their own drinks and select their own snack. Snacks consist of a range of fruits and vegetables every day, crackers, bread sticks etc. Children can choose to drink milk, water, or use their own drinks bottle. We cater for all dietary requirements – just let us know. Water is freely available throughout the day and we have a tray for children to bring their own drinks bottles, which can be refilled when necessary. We are currently a nut free setting due to the number of children in the setting with nut allergies.

36.       Please ensure all drinks bottles, lunch boxes and bags are clearly labelled on the outside.

Special needs

37.       As part of the pre-school’s policy to make sure that our provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs which a child may have. The pre-school works to the statutory requirements as detailed in the SEND Code of Practice (2015) and the E.Y.F.S., as well as guidance from the Somerset Core Standards framework in identifying and supporting those with additional needs.  We are committed to the Assess, Plan, Do Review process and work closely with all services to ensure the earliest identification of additional needs possible, as well as next steps in helping your child’s development. Lauren is our Early Years SENCo and reports to the school SENCo and County Area SENCo.

Safeguarding

38.       Acorns Pre-school take Safeguarding very seriously. The Head Teacher, based at Evercreech School, is the Safeguarding Lead, with Pre-School Lead Pauline McCaul as the Deputy based at Acorns.

39.       Our Safeguarding Policy is very comprehensive and is updated every year. All staff have Safeguarding training. Our policy can be read by parents/carers – please just ask the Pre-school Lead or Administrator.

The management of pre-school

40.       PPAT, Evercreech C of E Primary School and the School Governors work with Acorns Pre-school closely to ensure that the following activities are carried out in order that the setting runs smoothly:

a.         The general running of the pre-school and managing finances.

b.         Employing and managing staff.

c.         Making sure that the pre-school has, and works to, the policies which help it to provide a high service.

d.         Makes sure that the pre-school works in partnership with the children’s parents.

Fundraising

41.       We encourage parents to become part of the Parents, Teachers and Family Association (PTFA) of Evercreech C of E Primary School in order to raise additional money for equipment and activities.  They are a successful and supportive collection of parents and carers that contribute their time voluntarily in order to run events which raise money, such as the Christmas and Summer Fayres.

42.       Regular newsletters are produced and sent out by Tapestry to keep parents/carers informed of events and fundraising activities, also giving information of what has been happening within the group. These newsletters are important, as they ensure that everyone is kept up to date, allowing us all to work together for the benefit of the pre-school.     

43.       We do have a Facebook page which is monitored regularly. Please like our page!

44.       We look forward to your child joining us!

Thank you from all at Acorns Pre-School.