The Preschool Room welcomes children from the age of 36+ months up until they leave to attend school. Normal nursery opening hours are 8am to 6pm but an early start 7.30am and a late finish at 6.30pm is available at an extra charge. During this time we make sure that the children enjoy a range of suitable activities that are interesting, varied, and appropriate for their different abilities.We have a ratio of 1:8 for children in this room.

When the children move into the Preschool room they will then be assigned a key carer which will be one of the permanent members of staff from this room. The member of staff will help them to settle into the rooms routine and work with the child and parents/carers to ensure that they are settling. They will also co-ordinate information on the child's needs and development and share this with the other members of staff and the parents. It will also help to plan activities for the children and help to build up a picture of their interests.

Between 7.30-9am children engage in free play time and self selection of toys and equipment.
At 9.40 the children will then have a circle time. We concentrate on extending listening skills at circle time by entertaining as well as educating the children.
At 10am a snack is provided for the children. The children will go to the bathroom and wash their hands before they have their mid-morning snack.
Snack is laid out in the form of a 'buffet'. Independence is encouraged with the children. They can help themselves to their snack when they want it and can pour their own drinks from jugs provided.   A jug of fresh water is also available throughout the whole day for the children. There is a visual sign so that the children can indicate their need for a drink.

Independence is fostered  through child initiated play and learning, combined with a planned focused, daily activity. Meeting the individual needs of our children lies at the heart of our practice and observations are incorporated into daily routines.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is used to plan focused activities for the children to take part in, within all areas of their development. This provides children with a variety of experiences which can develop upon their interests and their individual needs.

The children have the opportunity to use the creative area, which offers a range of activities, such as sand, water, playdough, clay, drawing and colouring, painting and printing, and malleable materials. The children also have use of the gym area in which we can offer a wide range of physical activities which will help our children to discover and develop their bodies in a creative and challenging way. The gym planner is used to organise this.

Our children also have access to the outdoor area. Many of the activities that are offered in the nursery can be taken outside and also it gives the opportunity for more space and the use of other pieces of equipment such as bikes and trikes. It is a good chance to learn about the natural world and the children can help us to tend to our vegetable patch.
At 11.20 the bell will, again, signal tidy-up time. The children will sit for a short circle time, listen to stories and sing songs/action rhymes before the end of the session at 1pm. Children attending the morning session are collected by 1pm.

Children that are staying for lunch will go through to the bathroom to wash their hands before they eat. As with the snack time, we try to encourage independence at lunch time. The children can pour their drinks and each lunch time we have our 'helper'. This provides a good learning opportunity when they are giving out the cups and plates, so they can see how many more children need a cup etc. This is covered  by a rota, which means that all of the children will have a turn.
After lunch, the children have the chance to play outside.
The afternoon session begins at 1pm and the same pattern is followed but includes different activities and resources.
A tea is provided for all children at 4pm during the pm session.