Little Explorers
Our dedicated team of staff, overseen by Shalfleet C of E Primary School, work continually to maintain excellent level of care for your children and this is confirmed by our Ofsted report which received GOOD in all areas.
About Us
As we are set in the school grounds it ensures a happy and seamless transition from the pre-school into the Reception year ensuring that each individual child’s needs are met. The liason with Shalfleet Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent with the pre-school sharing outside space and resources. This partnership is mutually beneficial, enabling a sharing of expertise and a seamless transfer when the children are ready to start school.
Our main objective is to ensure that the children have fun, enjoy their time with us and learn in a calm, relaxed, natural way. We endeavour to provide an educationally stimulating environment in which the children feel valued and able to progress at their own speed. We aim to be approachable, open to parents/carers and their families, knowledgeable and helpful wherever we can.
Our vision and ethos for all the children in our early years setting:
To be happy, engaged and actively learning through play
To be curious, creative and take risks by doing something new
To experience a language rich environment
To become confident and self motivated
To develop independence and resilience
Staff & Contact Details
Georgina Westhorpe (Early Years Co-Ordinator and Deputy Head Teacher)
Sadie Gooding (Little Explorers Supervisor)
Molly Churchward (SENCO)
Nancy Taylor (Curious Squirrels Room Lead)
Niki Beesley (Wise Owls Room Lead)
Bella Phillips (Administrator)
Little Explorers Pre-School, Shalfleet CofE Primary School, Station Road, Ningwood, Isle of Wight, PO30 4NN
TEL: 01983 760269
EMAIL: littleexplorers@fosay.co.uk
Please see our latest Ofsted Report from 29th November 2019 – Rated as Good!
Little Explorers Ofsted Inspection
“Children delight in the warm and friendly environment.”
“Staff…are motivated and work as a team to deliver good quality experiences for all children.”
“Staff act as positive role models encouraging children to use good manners and promoting positive attitudes towards learning.”
Hours and Fees
The setting is open 50 weeks each year, 5 days a week 8.00 am – 5.00 pm. We are closed for Bank Holidays and two weeks over Christmas. We run a breakfast club and after-school club in term time and a holiday club non-term time for children 0-11 years.
Please be advised that schools can take up to 5 Development Day closures during an academic year which may alter the start/end date of any school term
We have a seperate Birth to Three room and a Foundation Stage room for 3-4 years.
0-2 years – £6.50 per hour
2-3 years – £6.00 per hour
3-4 years – £5.50 per hour
Breakfast Club – £2.75
After-School Club – £5.00 per hour
Holiday Club – £5.00 per hour
For more information regarding fees please see the Pre-School Charging Policy.
Little Explorers accepts funding including 2 year old & 30 hour funding for those children that are eligible. We are also happy to use the governments Tax Free Childcare Scheme/vouchers.
Please click this link to find out if you can get help with childcare costs – https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
From the term after their 3rd birthday children are eligible for funding for 15 hours a week.
Children born on or between………Are eligible for funding from……..
1st April and 31st Aug 1st Sep following their 3rd birthday
1st Sep and 31st Dec 1st Jan following their 3rd birthday
1st Jan and 31st March 1st April following their 3rd birthday
Please note NEG funding allocation will vary throughout the year due to government terms and conditions. Please see the administrator for further details.
SAFEGUARDING
The health and safety of the children within our care is of paramount importance to us.
Little Explorers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Medicine & Health
At least one qualified first aider is on the premises at all times. If a child is taken ill during their time with us we will contact a parent/carer.
We are unable to administer medicines unless perscribed by a doctor and a permission form must be completed.
Travel & Parking
There are 10 parking spaces and 2 disabled spaces which are shared with the school however at specific times of the day a “drop off” and “pick up” scheme is used when the spaces must be kept free.
8.10am-8.30am and 3.00pm-3.20pm.
Food & Drink
Please provide your child with a named water bottle and a piece of fruit for mid-morning. Milk will be offered. School dinners are available or a packed lunch can be brought in. Babies and toddlers routines vary e.g. milk feeds, weaning, sleep patterns and we strive to follow them.
EYFS & PRE-SCHOOL POLICIES
Caring for Babies and Toddlers Policy
Childrens Wellbeing in the Nursery Policy
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Environmental Sustainability Policy
Staff Working with Their Own Children or Close Relation
Supervision of Children on Outings and Visits Policy
Little Explorers – Policies
The setting’s policies help us to ensure that we provide high quality services to both the children who attend the setting and their parents/carers. Our policies have been adapted from the policies of the Pre-school Learning Alliance and fulfill the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. If you would like to see further polices there is a folder containing the setting’s polices and procedures in the reception or please ask a member of staff. These policies and procedures can also be obtained by email request.
For all other policies please go to The Federation of the Church Schools of Shalfleet and Freshwater & Yarmouth main website https://www.fosay.co.uk/
or click the button below to take you directly to the Policies page.
At Little Explorers children will learn to….
- To use language and communicate with other children and adults
- To listen and respond as part of a group
- To enjoy stories, poems and music
- To recognise that written words carry meaning, stories and ideas
- To compare objects/materials and to make predictions about them based upon experience
- To create and recognise patterns and sequences
- To understand simple ideas of length, weight and volume
- To use their senses to enjoy and explore their environment
- To observe living things
- To become aware of other cultures and beliefs
- To name shapes and colours
- To begin to understand how their body works
- To think about other people and their lives
- To acquire the skills and co-ordination they need for both large and small motor skills
- To find ways to tackle problems
- To come to terms with their emotions and learn to express their feelings
All of these skills are vital to every child. They are the tools that aid all future development, both academically and socially.
