The initial phase of a young person’s education before the start of ‘big school’ is both exciting and rewarding. Learning at Bryony starts for the majority of pupils in our Pre-school for 3 to 4 year olds.

Our friendly and experienced staff deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage through a balance of adult led and child initiated activities within a safe, happy and stimulating atmosphere. We promote the independence and social skills of all children in our care, encouraging them to grow into happy and confident children with enquiring minds. Our core commitment is that children should develop to their full potential and that Pre-School should be fun!

We believe that children flourish best when there is a strong partnership between home and school. We work hard at establishing good relationships with parents from the very beginning of your child’s education in Bryony so that effective two-way communication can take place. Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress, the curriculum and general information, personally and using the contact book which goes home every day. Our open door policy allows parents or carers to drop in for a chat if they have any concerns or queries. We provide academic reports and hold parents evenings to allow parents to keep track of their child’s progress.

We ensure we provide a balanced curriculum but do have a strong emphasis in the mornings on literacy and numeracy skills. All children have a reading folder and a contact book which goes between school and home each day. Each child has individual time with our staff to progress their reading (or gently progress sounds in the case of the younger children). We also encourage good manners right from the start.

Sessions

Our Pre-School offer sessions during term time only.  You can choose between full day sessions, morning sessions, afternoon sessions or a combination of these depending on availability.

Morning sessions start at 8 a.m. or 8.30 a.m. and end at either 12 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. In the morning children should be in school before the gate shuts at 9 a.m.

Afternoon sessions start at 12 p.m. and end at 3.30 p.m. or 6 p.m. although you may collect your child any time after 3.30 p.m. if he/she is booked into the session ending at 6 p.m.

Fees

Please contact the school office for the latest fees.

We participate in the Government Voucher Scheme which offers up 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds per week in term time. Children become eligible from the term following their 3rd birthday up to the end or the term before they reach Reception.

In addition, some working parents of three and four year olds will be entitled to an extra 15 hours a week free childcare.

Mealtimes

We make snacks and meals a relaxed and social time when everyone eats together. We use mealtimes as an opportunity to develop and encourage children’s eating and social skills. The children are taught to wash their hands before snack and any meal. We plan the menus for snacks and meals so that they provide the children with healthy and nutritious food taking into account all dietary requirements.

Children may bring in an additional snack if they stay after school. These should never contain nuts or nut-related products.