FAQ's

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.

This will differ depending on the age of the children however we work to:-

- One practitioner to every four children aged two years old.

- One practitioner to every eight children aged three years and above.

To ensure the children's developmental needs are met, we split them into two groups called Cubs and Bears. Our Cubs are aged between 2 and 3 years old, and our Bears are the children who are preparing to go to school. Splitting our children in this way allows school readiness for the Bears whilst our Cubs can continue to learn and grow.

We do also like to bring all of the children together as we find this is also important to help the younger ones learn through 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.

From time to time we like to take the children out to explore the local environment around us. We believe this is very important to widen your child’s cultural capital. We always ensure every child has a high vis jacket on as well as staff members.

When signing your child up to St Barnabas Pre-School you will be asked to sign a consent form to give permission to allow your child to leave the premises.

If ever you feel you aren't happy about something then please speak to our friendly management team and we will do our best to deal with the issue that has arisen. Our feedback questionnaires are given out to parents termly so that we can constantly look at ways to 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.

When choosing a pre-school, it's important to consider the setting's curriculum and approach to early childhood education. At St Barnabas Pre-School, we offer a well-rounded curriculum that focuses on the development of each child's social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. Our approach is child-centered, allowing children to learn through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. We also offer enriching activities and stimulating material to support your child's growth and development.

Considering the location, hours, and overall philosophy of a pre-school is crucial to ensure it aligns with your family's values and needs. St Barnabas Pre-School is conveniently located close to JP Morgan and the surrounding Queen's Park area, with flexible hours to accommodate working families, and our philosophy is centred around fostering a love for learning and a strong sense of community. We encourage you to visit our pre-school, meet our staff, and observe our program in action to determine if it's the right fit for you and your child.