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FAQs (specifically for Pre-Prep)

How young do you take children?

Children can start in our Nursery as soon as they are 3 years old. We are happy to take children in the middle of a term if that is required, or equally at the start of the following half term or term.

Can I claim the Early Years Grant?

Yes. All the paperwork will be explained on joining the school – see also section 4.15 Early Years Grant.

How long is the school day?

Our school day starts at 8.30 am. Nursery children can be collected at 12 noon – before lunch, or at 1.00 pm having had lunch, or stay for a full day. The school day ends at 3.15 pm.

Can my child do extended hours?

Yes. We open the doors at 8.00 am for Early Morning Club. The children are supervised and able to play, draw etc. until they are escorted to their classrooms at 8.30 am. At the other end of the day we offer free supervision until 4.00 pm for all our pupils. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 also have the option of hobbies which run from 3.20 pm for 30 minutes. There is also a TT Club (Tea Time!) that runs from 4.00 pm until 5.20 pm. There is a charge for TT Club, to cover the costs of supervision and tea. The children can play inside and in the woods, have tea and perhaps watch a little television if they are tired.

Lunch?

The children have a hot cooked meal in the dining room. Children go over to the dining room in a long ‘crocodile’ and sit six to a table with an adult. There is a hot cooked main meal, pudding and fruit served daily. The menu runs on a three-week rotation; sample menus are available on request. Children may also bring a packed lunch if you prefer.

Where do I buy uniform?

There is a uniform shop within the school grounds. It opens during the holidays by appointment and every Monday and Wednesday from 3pm- 5pm during the term.

Finding out what is happening in school and contacting staff?

Every Friday we produce the Pelican News. It contains information about the following week’s trips, special assemblies etc., requests from staff or Head of Pre-Prep, a list of the children who have received Merit badges and Head of Pre-Prep’s certificates and lots of reports and photographs of the week’s activities. Staff are available at the beginning and end of the day for a chat, or if a longer slot is required you can book an appointment with either your child’s teacher or the Head of Pre-Prep in person, by email or over the phone.

Homework?

Children in the Nursery do not receive any homework, although they may be asked to bring in specific items to do with their topic work. Children in Reception will have reading on a Tuesday and at the weekend will have a simple worksheet to complete and some more reading. Children in Year 1 and Year 2 will have reading to do each evening and again the addition of a simple piece of work at the weekend.

Is there any care during the holidays?

Yes. The staff of the Pre-Prep run a holiday club called Woodland Adventures, details of which can be found in section 4.10 Woodland Adventures.

How do I know how my child is progressing?

Nursery: hold termly meetings with parents called Learning Diary meetings and produce a written report at the end of the Summer Term. Reception: hold termly Learning Diary meetings and produce written reports at the end of the Michaelmas and Summer Terms. Year 1 and Year 2: hold meetings with parents approximately half way through the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Parents will also receive a written report at the end of all three terms. However, should any Parent want to discuss anything about their child they can do so either by appointment at any convenient time or at the beginning or end of the day.