Bishop Aldhelm's CE
Primary School
Loved by God; United in Learning
Prior to starting we encourage parents to come in with their child for one or two settling in sessions. This is to enable the child to become familiar with staff, other children and the environment before starting. Parents/carers will also be given our ‘Online Learning Journal’ agreement form and an ‘All About Me’ form to complete ready for when the child starts.
Snacks are included within the daily fees for each session. A choice of milk or water is available at snack time and children have access to water at all times during the day. Children staying for lunch should bring in a packed lunch from home. The snacks provided at Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School will be different and varied each day.
From September 2022, children will be able to choose to bring a packed lunch or order a hot school meal through Chartwells, our school meal provider. All pre-school children eat their lunch together in the pre-school irrespective of which lunch option they choose. Hot school meals must be ordered in advance through our school meal provider - see the hot meals page of our website.
Your child will have a Key Person who is responsible for ensuring your child has a smooth transition to pre-school. The Key Person will also be responsible for planning for your child’s next steps, interests and discussing your child’s development with you. All members of Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School staff work very closely with each other and know all of the children well, it may not be your child’s Key Person handing over to you every day.
Working with parents/carers is really important to us. We will keep parents updated with key dates, events and news through a termly Newsletter, Key Worker Catch Up’s, text and emails. We have an open door policy for parents and staff will always provide a daily handover. Parents evenings will run in line with whole school policy with 3 reporting opportunities throughout the academic year.
Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School is very much a part of the school and we will be spending time in the school library, hall and range of outside areas including the SSSI. We will also be spending time in the Reception classes to get to know the teachers and classrooms. This really helps with transition when the children go to school.
Children who attend our Pre-School wear uniform. This consists of the school's red sweatshirt (logo optional), red polo shirt and grey or black jogging bottoms or leggings.
Children can wear any appropriate footwear to Pre-School (shoes, trainers, plimsolls) as long as they have a velcro fastening so that they can be taken off and put back on independently. They will also need a pair of wellies, hat and gloves in the winter and sun hat in the summer. All clothing needs to be carefully labelled.
Bishop Aldhelm’s will provide protective clothing for the children when they take part in messy activities.
The pre-school encourages children to gain the skills which help them to be independent and look after themselves. These include taking themselves to the toilet and taking off – and putting on – outdoor clothes. Clothing which is easy for them to manage will help them to do this. All clothing should be clearly named.
https://www.bishopaldhelms.poole.sch.uk/pupilsparents/uniform/
We are dedicated to the welfare and protection of our children and if an occasion does arise where we need to speak to you about your child, please understand that their safety and happiness is our top priority.
Choosing the best pre-school for your child can be stressful, here are some FAQs – answered
Snack Time
We offer the children a daily variety of fruit and vegetables, a carbohydrate (bread sticks, toast etc.) and a protein (cheese or yoghurt), as well as milk or water to drink. If your child has any special dietary needs please speak to a member of staff. When ordering milk from www.coolmilk.com our class name is PRS.
Special Needs
Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School will, wherever possible, accommodate children with special needs. Each case will be assessed individually taking into consideration the child’s needs, staff ratio, amenities and the effect on the group as a whole.
Discipline
We have very few rules in pre-school. Those that we do have are based on health, safety and consideration for others. When we ask a child not to do something, we try to explain why their behaviour is not acceptable. We are always consistent so that the children soon feel secure and confident. In this way, we encourage the development of self-discipline. If a child is persistently disruptive or aggressive towards others, we use a ‘thinking tree’ as a strategy to allow the child to reflect on their actions.
Nappy Changing Policy
We realise and accept that the stages of a child’s development vary when they attend pre-school. Some children will be in nappies or trainer pants. We ask that the following policy be adhered to:
1. We expect all children wherever possible to arrive at pre-school in a clean nappy.
2. Whilst at pre-school we would not normally be expected to change nappies. In the event of an accident, individual needs of the children will be met. We will use our own equipment and nappies unless these are provided by parents/carers.
3. It is not acceptable for children to persistently arrive in dirty nappies. In such a case parents/carers will be consulted to rectify the situation.
Personal Possessions
Please keep valuable items with you at all times. Things such as keys can quickly get lost in pre-school. Please discourage your child from bringing their own possessions into pre-school. Again they can easily get lost or broken.
Photography Policy
The staff are required to take photographs of the children. These will be used appropriately for use in their personal ‘Learning Journeys’. We have a Facebook account and again permission will be required from parents before we ‘post’ any images showing what the children have been doing. No photograph will be taken of a child whose parent/carer has not already given their consent by signing the relevant section of the parent contract.
Sunscreen Policy
Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School do not allow children to play outside in strong sunlight without sunscreen protection. All parents are therefore required to apply sunscreen when appropriate before leaving their child at pre-school. If parents do not apply sunscreen, Bishop Aldhelm’s Pre-School will not be held responsible, so please ensure that sunscreen is applied.