Welcome to Pre-school
We are excited to offer our Pre-school provision for 3 and 4 year olds. We provide a fun, engaging and safe environment for your child to learn, grow and develop. We value the importance of play, both indoors and out, particularly utilising our enriching forest school area.
Our Vision is to provide a safe and caring environment where every child feels valued, develops resilience, builds lasting friendships and is inspired to achieve their best through a love of learning.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum framework in order for your child to build skills in all seven areas of learning. These are the foundations for starting Reception and beyond.
Our Pre-school is based in our Early Years Foundation stage which allows children to settle into the surroundings of school life before they start their Reception year.
Admissions
Children can join our Pre-school in the term following their second birthday:
Children born in the period 1st April to 31st August are eligible to start in the term beginning on or following 1st September after the child's third birthday.
Children born in the period 1st September to 31st December are eligible to start in the term beginning on or following 1st January after the child's third birthday.
Children born in the period 1st January to 31st March are eligible to start in the term beginning on or following 1st April after the child's third birthday.
We look forward to welcoming your child and supporting them through these important early years.
Free Places for 3 and 4 Year Olds
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare from the term after their third birthday. We currently offer two 3 hour sessions, between 8.30am - 11.30am and 12.15pm - 3.15pm. There is the option for lunchtime wraparound. There are 24 places available in each session. School currently offers up to 15 hours of free Pre-school education each week, taken as either 5 morning places or 5 afternoon places.
You may also be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare, depending on your family circumstances. To check your entitlement, please visit Childcare Choices
For more information about the funding available, please click here.
Additional Costs
| Chargeable Extra | Hours | Cost |
| Free entitlement hours -15 hours per week | 8.30am-11.30am and/or 12.15pm-3.15pm | Free |
| Additional hours purchased - up to 15 hours per week (3 hours per session) | AM or PM | £17.90 per session |
| Lunchtime Wraparound (if not covered by free hours, or can leave at 2.30pm) | 11.30am - 12.15pm | £5.10 |
| Snacks | n/a | Free |
| Consumables (for example, nappies and sun cream) | n/a | We ask for you to provide your own |
| Additional voluntary services (for example, forest school sessions or foreign language lessons) | n/a | Free |
| Additional voluntary services (for example, trips) | n/a | Price dependant on trip |
Admissions and How to Apply for a Place
Pre-school parents apply directly to the school for a place; we operate a waiting list for parents who are interested in a place for their child. At present we only take children who are three years of age and older.
Please see our admissions policy for full details.
Please note that a place in our pre-school setting does not guarantee a place in Reception class. The local authority administers Reception places - please click on the link below for Admission criteria.
http://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/learning-school/parental-support/school-admissions/
To find our how to get help with funding and choosing the right childcare for you and your family
Parental Support & Guidance
FAQ
Wraparound
The school offers a dedicated Preschool Wraparound Club, which is specifically for nursery and preschool children and operates separately from the main wraparound provision run by an external provider for older pupils. The breakfast session runs from 8:00am to 8:30am at a cost of £5 per session, providing a calm and welcoming start to the day. Children are offered a healthy breakfast menu, which may include cereal, toast, fruit, yoghurt and milk or water.
After school, children can attend until 4:30pm for £9 per session or until 5:30pm for £12.50 per session. The provision is designed to meet the needs of younger children in a familiar environment, with activities and routines tailored to their age and stage of development. Children attending after school are provided with a healthy snack menu, which may include fresh fruit, vegetable sticks and fruit, crackers, cheese, toast and water or milk. A menu is displayed on the Preschool and Nursery noticeboard. This flexible provision supports families with their childcare needs while ensuring children remain happy, settled and well-nourished throughout the day.
My childcare provider has a limited number of 30 hour funded places. Can they do this?
Yes providers are not obliged to offer the full 30 hours.
I only want to use 20 hours of my funding a week but my local school only offers 15 or 30-hour places. Can I insist that my child only attends for 20 hours?
Schools can decide on a set offer. This should be made clear in offer letters and on their website. Parents cannot insist on a certain pattern of hours.
If my child attends Pre-school will they automatically have a place at the school?
No. Admission for a school place is made separately. Parents should apply for a school place for starting school in reception via the Dudley admissions policy.
