Children learn best when there are close links and continuity from home to preschool. We want to make sure each child has a positive and happy start, so we provide lots of opportunities for us to get to know each other, including stay and play sessions, a home visit and settling in sessions.

Play Visit

An opportunity for parents to find out information about what your child will experience and learn at we offer play visits. These visits provide an opportunity for you and your child to meet staff and to play in the preschool classroom and the garden before starting with us.

Settling In

We are very much aware that when your child starts at the preschool, it may well be the first time that your child has left you for any length of time. We try to make this transition as easy as possible and we arrange for you to stay with your child for her/his first sessions in the outdoor environment. All children are unique and therefore the settling in period will vary. Do not worry if your child takes what seems to be a long time to become comfortable with this new situation – this is a major step for most children.

Key Person

Each child is allocated a Key Person and a supporting Key Person. These are the people who will get to know your child really well. Your child and their Key Person will begin to build really firm relationships, showing trust and respect. Do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your child’s Key Person – you will find that all staff will be very helpful.

It is really important that we are able to contact you – please make sure that your address and telephone numbers are current and inform us of any changes.

Home Visits

Home visits provide an opportunity for key staff to get to know you and your child in an environment where you both feel comfortable. Home visits can be very useful if you are concerned that your child may have difficulty settling or an opportunity to share strategies, concerns and information. You will be invited to have a home visit but you can say ‘No thank you’. We arrange home visits so that the Key Person is familiar to your child.

Sharing Progress

We recognise the children’s parents/carers as their first and constant educators. Consequently, the ongoing assessment process begins with consultation with yourself as parents/carers. This on-going relationship provides a picture of your child’s learning and development which is captured in Tapestry, your child’s online Learning Journal.

Educational Visits

As part of our curriculum offer, we ensure children have experiences beyond the setting. The children will go on local walks to the shop and post office.  Visits also include trips to the town centre, library, theatre and seaside.

Sharing information

To ensure that you are fully informed about the school and the events and activities, we have many ways to communicate with you:

• Face to face contact through your child’s Key Person and preschool manager

• Newsletters – news about life in the preschool and forthcoming events

• Email – available for each parent

•Tapestry

-Parent workshops

-Parent play and stay (Mother's day, Father's Day events)