Frequently Asked Questions at
St Barnabas Pre-School

Our opening hours are 8 am. until 4 pm, Monday to Friday and are only open during school term times. We offer both sessional and full day care.

For more information on our session times, check out our Prices & Sessions page.

If you're looking to get a place for your child at St Barnabas Pre-School then please either call us on 01202 253471 or email us at stbarnabaspreschool@hotmail.com. You can also visit our Contact Us page and complete our form so that we can get back to you.

We feel it is so important to make sure the settling in process is correctly done. We work closely with you and your child to make sure the ease of transition is as comfortable as it can possibly be. We will ensure a plan is in place that suits your needs as a parent and your child’s individual needs. Each child is different and every settling in process is different so it’s very important to us to make sure it’s done right. We would discuss this with you before your child comes in for their first settling in session.

Our staff-to-child ratio varies by age. For children aged two, we have one practitioner for every four children. For those aged three and above, it's one practitioner for every eight children.

We group children into two groups: Cubs (ages 2-3) and Bears (preparing for school). This helps us meet their developmental needs. We also bring all the children together regularly, allowing younger ones to learn by observing the older children.

We offer an open door policy and you are more than welcome to book an appointment with the manager or your child’s key person at anytime. We hold parents evenings where we invite you in to go through all of your child’s development discussing their successes and where we would like to take them next in their learning. You will also be given access to your child’s online portal which allows you to view observations on what your child has been doing week to week whilst with us.

While your child is at our pre-school, you will also be invited to follow our Instagram page which will give you an insight into some of the lovely activities your child has the chance to join in with.

Once a term you will receive a newsletter which will inform you of any upcoming events we have or any general information you need to know to keep you informed. Partnership with parents is very important to us and we would want you to feel as involved as possible.

No they don't. We are fully prepared at St Barnabas Pre-School to support your little ones in toilet training. We can also provide you with tips to help with training at home.

Our team are highly qualified with working with children that need additional support. We work very closely with families to ensure that all needs are met for the child and parents or carer, and that we have everything in place to provide the best care possible to allow your child to flourish in our setting.

If you are planning on getting someone other than one of the child's parents or carer to pick your child up then you will need to inform us. You should aim to do this when your drop your child off at the start of their session or as soon as you possibly can. You will also need to inform the person collecting your child that they will need to know the password you have set on your child’s induction pack. They will also need to bring ID as proof of who they are.

Yes, we occasionally take the children on local outings to explore the environment around us, which we believe is important for their cultural development. Rest assured, every child wears a high-visibility jacket, and our staff are always present. You'll be asked to sign a consent form when enrolling your child to allow for these excursions.

If you have any concerns, please speak to our friendly management team. We are here to help and will do our best to address any issues. We also distribute feedback questionnaires to parents each term to continually improve our practice.

Before your child starts St Barnabas Pre-School you will be given information and advice on what your child may need before their first settling in session.

Yes. We would encourage your child to have a comforter while they settle with us so they can feel secure and comfortable in the setting.

The Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) is the governing body who set the standards for care and education for all children’s care settings including schools, nurseries and pre-schools.

For information about Ofsted please visit their website at www.ofsted.gov.uk

Pre-school and nursery differ in a number of ways however it may just come down to your personal preference. Things like your child's age and how your child is developmentally will be a couple of factors. Some differences include:

• Nurseries will take children from ages one where as pre-schools generally take children from three. At St Barnabas Pre-School, we'll take children from two years old.

• Nurseries usually cost more than pre-schools do but this might not always be the case so it's best to compare a few.

• Pre-schools aim to prepare your child for going to school, while nurseries focus less on the learning experience, and instead act more like a childcare provider.

Choosing the right pre-school involves considering the curriculum, approach to early childhood education, location, hours, and philosophy. At St Barnabas Pre-School, we offer a child-centered curriculum that supports social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development through play and exploration. Conveniently located near JP Morgan and Queen's Park, we provide flexible hours for working families. We encourage you to visit, meet our staff, and see our program in action to determine if it's the right fit for your child.