We are
proud of the high ratio of adults to children in the group.
This ensures individual attention to the needs and development
of each child.
Pre-School
Hours
Our Pre-School
meets in the Pre-School Room at High Ham Primary School from
Monday to Friday, 9.00am until 12.00pm. In the summer term,
the children who will be starting High Ham School at the end
of the academic year will spend time with the Reception teacher
for one hour per week. Throughout the year, the Pre-School
and reception class children engage in numerous joint Foundation
Stage activities.
We offer
an optional lunch club daily, immediately after Pre-School,
between 12.00pm and 12.55pm. The children bring their own
packed lunch or can order a hot dinner.
On a
Friday afternoon we run Rascals between 1.15pm and 3.15pm.
Rascals is for 2-3 year olds and acts as a good introduction
to Pre-School. If demand dictates, we will also run an additional
Rascals session each week.
Key-workers
Our key-worker
system gives each member of staff particular responsibility
for just a few children. Each child in the group has one special
adult to relate to, which can make settling into the group
very much easier. In addition, the key-worker is in a position
to tailor the group's curriculum to the unique needs of each
individual child. The key-worker maintains links with the
child's home setting, working with parents through shared
record keeping to ensure that the children are supported in
reaching their full potential.
Record-keeping
Observations
of the children in the group are used as a basis for drawing
up a curriculum for each child.
Training
Our staff
are kept up to date with new thinking in the field of child
education and care. We receive a monthly magazine offering
practical advice and new information, and have access to a
range of professionally produced publications. On-going training
is provided, in addition to informal training through local
meetings and conferences.
The
role of parents
We recognise
parents as the first and most important educators of their
young children. Our Pre-School aims to support parents. Parents
are encouraged to work in the group with the children, to
assist with fundraising and to take part in the management
of the Pre-School.
Policies
The Pre-School
policies are displayed on the main Pre-School noticeboard,
situated between the temporary classrooms. All our policies
are designed to offer the best possible experience for the
children and families in the group. Our policies are reviewed
on a regular basis and comments and suggestions from parents
are always welcome.
Special
needs
Each
child is able to progress at his or her own rate in all areas
of development, and this is true for children with or without
disabilities or learning difficulties. We are experienced
in working in close liaison with professionals across the
range of special needs. If you would like to discuss the group's
ability to meet your child's special needs, please talk to
the Pre-School leader.
Management and administration
The Pre-School
is run by an elected parent committee, which ensures that
major decisions are made by parents who use the group. The
committee is responsible for reviewing both policy and practice,
and for the employment and appraisal of members of staff.
Our Annual General Meeting, at which the committee for the
following year is elected, is held at the end of the summer
term and parents will be informed in good time so they are
able to attend. In addition, committee meetings are held regularly
during the school term, in which parents are encouraged to
attend and participate. Without parents willing to run the
committee, the Pre-School can not operate.
Regular
Staff
Please note that High Ham Pre-School is totally independent
of High Ham Primary School, although we do have very good
relations with the school. Attendance at the Pre-School has
no bearing on whether your child will be admitted to High
Ham Primary School.
High Ham Pre-School Curriculum
Within
the group, all children are supported in developing their
potential at their own pace. Our 'key-worker' system enables
us to ensure a planned curriculum tailored to the needs of
each individual child. By means of developmentally appropriate
play activities and a high level of adult input, we offer
a curriculum which supports children learning within the Early
Years Foundation Stage.
Communication, language and literacy
In
both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend
their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and
by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children
are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning,
to be aware of the purposes of writing and, when they are
ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A
well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity
and encouragement to become familiar with books, to be able
to handle them and to be aware of their uses, both for reference
and as a source of stories and pictures.
Personal,
social and emotional development
Within
a nurturing environment, children are individually supported
in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They
are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also
to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating
with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation
and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express
their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of
others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate,
to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group,
it's members and it's property.
Problem
solving, reasoning and numeracy
By
means of adult-supported practical experience, children become
familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing
and counting activities, which form the basis for early mathematics.
As they use their developing mathematical understanding to
solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and
use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by
shape, position, size, volume and number. Songs, games and
picture books help children become aware of number sequences
and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations
such as adding.
Knowledge
and understanding of the world
A
safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore
and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials.
They learn to observe the features of objects of substances,
recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to
share and record their findings. Children are assisted in
exploring and understanding their environment, both within
the group and also in the wider community. A range of safe
and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their
technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques
as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.
Physical Development
A
range of equipment and opportunities, both indoor and outdoors,
allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the
use and development of their own body skills. A high level
of adult supervision enables children safely to create and
meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and
control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time,
children are supported in the development of the fine motor
skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils,
and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
Creative
development
Children
are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to
express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their
individual response to experience in two and three dimensions.
Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils
as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended
exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development
of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join
in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many
opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually
and as part of a group.
For a
Prospectus and further information, please contact :-
Mrs Anna
Perry (Pre-School Administrator)
Holly Tree Farmhouse
Henley
Near Langport
Somerset TA10 9BH
Tel -
01458 253641
