Pre-School

St.Matthias' Church Pre-School

St. Matthias Church Pre-School is an associate member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance . The Allianceis an active organisation, which provides regular and up to date information on matters relating to the care and education of children under the age of 5yrs and arranges training courses for Pre-School staff. The Pre-School has strong links with IlshamPrimary School. The reception staff makes visits to us to get to know the children that will attend IlshamSchool, and to assist and encourage in the learning at Pre-School. Visits are arranged to reception class at Ilsham and other Schools in the term before the child is due to start and Pre-School joins in with School activities where possible.

The Pre-School is open 38 weeks each year.

We are closed during school holidays.

We offer sessional day care between the following times:               

Monday to Friday

Morning sessions   8.45 am - 11.45am  Lunch session       11.45am- 12.15  Afternoon Session  12.15pm – 3.15pm

Current Fees are £9.00 per sessions and £1.50 for lunches

Fees are invoiced at the beginning of each new half term and should be paid as promptly as possible. Arrangements can be made for payment to be made in installments. Please talk to a member of staff should you require this option. Fees are not refundable if a child is absent.

We hope that your child's time in pre-school will be a very happy and productive one. If you have any queries or if we can be of any help, please contact the staff at any time.

St. Matthias’ Church Pre-School

Babbacombe Road,

Torquay

TQ1 2QT

01803 215068 

At St. Matthias Church Pre-School...........our key values focus on providing a top quality service for all our parent. We have created and strive to maintain a healthy, fun and friendly atmosphere within our setting, and consider the sense and feeling of security of and for our children to be of paramount importance.

Staff

We have several employed staff that all have plenty of experience of parenting and pre-school childcare. We have at least three members of staff working each day. Staff members are all encouraged to gain qualifications in early years care and education. They also take part in further training to help them to keep up-to-date with new ideas and initiatives.

Pre-School Leader - Liz Sampson  (NVQ3, Child Protection Officer, First Aider )

Deputy - Hannah Harvey  (NVQ 3, SENCO, First aider )

Assistant - Tracey Burns  (NVQ2, First Aider )

Assistant - Amanda Incles  (NVQ2, First Aider )

The Pre-School is managed by a committee made up of qualified reprsentatives from the Church, the local School, Pre-School staff and parent representatives. The team will advise on all aspects relating to the Pre-School including policies,the curriculum, funding, staffing and training.

Early Years Foundation Stage.We present a carefully planned curriculum which will allow for all children to reach their full potential at their own pace. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is made up of six areas of learning and development. We aim to help children progress in order to reach specific early learning goals that will prepare them to progress with confidence to the National Curriculum in Year 1.

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, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities that 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.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence 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.

Knowledge and Understanding of the WorldA 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 and substances, recognizing 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 indoors and outdoors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very 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.