FAQs
Where is the preschool?
The preschool is within Edward Feild School, Bicester Road, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 2L. As well as the indoor facilities, we have a purpose-built, enclosed play area outside. We also have access to Edward Feild School. On-site parking is not available.
Can we visit for a look around?
Of course! Prospective parents are very welcome. Please phone admissions on 01865 371515 during preschool hours 9am -3:15pm to arrange a visit.
Does the session include lunch?
You need to book for lunch club which runs after the morning session or before the afternoon session. During Lunch Club, children eat together. Children are given a healthy snack and a drink during the morning and afternoon sessions. Snacks include fresh fruit, carrots, toast and dried cereals. We ask children also bring their own (clearly labelled) water bottle. These are accessible to children throughout the whole of their time in the Preschool
I'm worried that my child won't settle in easily – can you help?
Yes – we work with parents to plan a strategy to help each individual settle in. Children come to the preschool with their carers for visits before they start officially, and every child is assigned a Key Person to keep a special look-out for them. You will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s Key Person before your child starts, to get to know them a little better and to be a friendly face when they arrive for their first session.
What will my child be doing at preschool?
We provide a wide range of child- and adult-led activities, following the Early Years Foundation Stage and focussing on learning through play. Activities on offer during a typical session might include: sand and water play, jigsaws, construction toys, dressing-up and role playing, arts and crafts, singing and playing musical instruments, outdoor play (in our purpose-built, enclosed area). Children sometimes participate in cooking or gardening activities. We aim to include children's interests and incorporate those into our planning.
What happens in a session?
Children arrive at 9a.m. with parents/carers, who have an opportunity to share information with their child’s key person or other member of staff. When all the children are present, we hold registration, say hello to each other and share news. The children then participate in a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. The children will sit down for snack time mid morning. We have an open-door policy and the children are allowed to flow freely between our inside and outside play areas. When we are all inside again, we have stories, circle and singing time. Then we sing our goodbye song before the morning children are collected at 11.30a.m. The children and staff sit down to have lunch from 11.30 – 12.45pm. Afternoon sessions comprise of further learning development in an environment which nurtures children's cognitive, physical and social development.
What does my child's key person do?
Every child is assigned a key person before they start at the preschool. They have a special interest in your child, help them to settle in, work with you to plan their learning and keep a record of their development. (Every child is also assigned a back-up key person.) Your child’s key person is your first point of contact for anything you wish to discuss about your child. Your child will have a Home/School link book. This will have information about what they have done that week at preschool and gives you an opportunity to share with your key person what your child has been up to over the weekend using pictures and/or text.
Can parents get involved?
Yes please! The preschool is run by Voluntary Directors and a fundraising team who need parent volunteers and more help is always appreciated. If you don't feel able to commit to joining the fundraising team, there are several fundraising events throughout the year that you are welcome to join in. We also have a parent rota if you wish to stay and play.
Who decides how the preschool is run?
The preschool is run by 6 Voluntary Directors.
Do you take children who wear nappies?
We do. And we can work with parents to support potty training when you and your child feel ready.
What should I bring on my child's first day?
Do I need to supply a snack for my child?
Your child will get a snack during the morning and afternoon sessions with either a drink of milk or water. Snacks include fresh fruit, carrots, toast and dried cereals
What is Early Years Foundation Stage?
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the statutory standards that all early years providers must meet.
The EYFS aims to provide:
A comprehensive parents guide to the new EYFS Framework can be found at the foundationyears.org.uk website.
Is my child eligible for free childcare?
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free education for 38 weeks of the year.
Government funding for eligible children is available from the school term that commences after your child's 3rd birthday. In addition to this, some 2+year olds may also qualify for this free funding. More information on this can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Ratios
Settling in period
If your child is new to the setting we advise you pop in for a few visits before they start. Once they start we find most children settle in within their first term.
What do you have in place if my child has special needs?
As part of the setting's policy we make sure that our provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs a child may have. The setting works to the requirements of the 1993 Education Act and The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001).
We like to hold a consultation with the parents/carer before the child starts in the preschool. During this consultation we aim to find out as much information as possible about the child's needs in order to prepare the physical environment, look at the resources and begin to plan appropriately. We will seek advice, with the parents permission, from any agencies who are involved with the child.
Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is Teresa Juggins.
Lunch club
For children attending lunch club we ask that you provide a healthy packed lunch (for some ideas on what to pack see here)
Useful Links
Edward Feild School www.efs.oxon.sch.uk
Ofsted - www.ofsted.gov.uk
Pre-school Learning Alliance www.pre-school.org.uk
Oxfordshire County Council www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/early-years-education
Department for Education - www.education.gov.uk
The preschool is within Edward Feild School, Bicester Road, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 2L. As well as the indoor facilities, we have a purpose-built, enclosed play area outside. We also have access to Edward Feild School. On-site parking is not available.
Can we visit for a look around?
Of course! Prospective parents are very welcome. Please phone admissions on 01865 371515 during preschool hours 9am -3:15pm to arrange a visit.
Does the session include lunch?
You need to book for lunch club which runs after the morning session or before the afternoon session. During Lunch Club, children eat together. Children are given a healthy snack and a drink during the morning and afternoon sessions. Snacks include fresh fruit, carrots, toast and dried cereals. We ask children also bring their own (clearly labelled) water bottle. These are accessible to children throughout the whole of their time in the Preschool
I'm worried that my child won't settle in easily – can you help?
Yes – we work with parents to plan a strategy to help each individual settle in. Children come to the preschool with their carers for visits before they start officially, and every child is assigned a Key Person to keep a special look-out for them. You will have an opportunity to meet with your child’s Key Person before your child starts, to get to know them a little better and to be a friendly face when they arrive for their first session.
What will my child be doing at preschool?
We provide a wide range of child- and adult-led activities, following the Early Years Foundation Stage and focussing on learning through play. Activities on offer during a typical session might include: sand and water play, jigsaws, construction toys, dressing-up and role playing, arts and crafts, singing and playing musical instruments, outdoor play (in our purpose-built, enclosed area). Children sometimes participate in cooking or gardening activities. We aim to include children's interests and incorporate those into our planning.
What happens in a session?
Children arrive at 9a.m. with parents/carers, who have an opportunity to share information with their child’s key person or other member of staff. When all the children are present, we hold registration, say hello to each other and share news. The children then participate in a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. The children will sit down for snack time mid morning. We have an open-door policy and the children are allowed to flow freely between our inside and outside play areas. When we are all inside again, we have stories, circle and singing time. Then we sing our goodbye song before the morning children are collected at 11.30a.m. The children and staff sit down to have lunch from 11.30 – 12.45pm. Afternoon sessions comprise of further learning development in an environment which nurtures children's cognitive, physical and social development.
What does my child's key person do?
Every child is assigned a key person before they start at the preschool. They have a special interest in your child, help them to settle in, work with you to plan their learning and keep a record of their development. (Every child is also assigned a back-up key person.) Your child’s key person is your first point of contact for anything you wish to discuss about your child. Your child will have a Home/School link book. This will have information about what they have done that week at preschool and gives you an opportunity to share with your key person what your child has been up to over the weekend using pictures and/or text.
Can parents get involved?
Yes please! The preschool is run by Voluntary Directors and a fundraising team who need parent volunteers and more help is always appreciated. If you don't feel able to commit to joining the fundraising team, there are several fundraising events throughout the year that you are welcome to join in. We also have a parent rota if you wish to stay and play.
Who decides how the preschool is run?
The preschool is run by 6 Voluntary Directors.
Do you take children who wear nappies?
We do. And we can work with parents to support potty training when you and your child feel ready.
What should I bring on my child's first day?
- A bottle of water for your child with your child’s name on it.
- Outdoor coat and wellies in the winter for playing outside (weather permitting).
- Lunch box (if your child is attending Lunch Club) with your child’s name on it.
- Change of clothes, nappies & wipes if needed, (including socks & underwear) in case of any accidents.
- Any forms that have not already been returned, especially those regarding emergency contact details.
- We request that any special needs (such as dietary or medical requirements) are discussed in advance with the preschool.
- We also suggest that all items of clothing, bags, lunch boxes, hats and "cuddlies" are clearly marked with your child's name.
Do I need to supply a snack for my child?
Your child will get a snack during the morning and afternoon sessions with either a drink of milk or water. Snacks include fresh fruit, carrots, toast and dried cereals
What is Early Years Foundation Stage?
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the statutory standards that all early years providers must meet.
The EYFS aims to provide:
- Quality and consistency in all early years settings.
- Secure foundation that will allow all children good progress through school.
- Life partnerships between different practitioner's partnership's between parents or carers and practitioners equality of opportunity for all children.
A comprehensive parents guide to the new EYFS Framework can be found at the foundationyears.org.uk website.
Is my child eligible for free childcare?
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free education for 38 weeks of the year.
Government funding for eligible children is available from the school term that commences after your child's 3rd birthday. In addition to this, some 2+year olds may also qualify for this free funding. More information on this can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Ratios
- There are different ratios depending on the age of the children
- Robin Room (30 months+) operate on 1 member of staff to every 4 children
- Owl Room (age 3-4) operate on 1 member of staff to every 8 children
Settling in period
If your child is new to the setting we advise you pop in for a few visits before they start. Once they start we find most children settle in within their first term.
What do you have in place if my child has special needs?
As part of the setting's policy we make sure that our provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs a child may have. The setting works to the requirements of the 1993 Education Act and The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2001).
We like to hold a consultation with the parents/carer before the child starts in the preschool. During this consultation we aim to find out as much information as possible about the child's needs in order to prepare the physical environment, look at the resources and begin to plan appropriately. We will seek advice, with the parents permission, from any agencies who are involved with the child.
Our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator is Teresa Juggins.
Lunch club
For children attending lunch club we ask that you provide a healthy packed lunch (for some ideas on what to pack see here)
Useful Links
Edward Feild School www.efs.oxon.sch.uk
Ofsted - www.ofsted.gov.uk
Pre-school Learning Alliance www.pre-school.org.uk
Oxfordshire County Council www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/early-years-education
Department for Education - www.education.gov.uk