Battling Brook Pre-school (Foundation Stage 1)
Here at Battling Brook Primary School, we understand that you know your child better than anyone and that you are their most important role model. We value your knowledge about your child’s development and interests and we would love for you to share any information that you feel would either help us to inspire them to learn in our setting. We feel privileged to be able to share in your child’s learning journey and we look forward to welcoming you to Battling Brook Primary School.
We have a play-based philosophy and our children benefit from learning through having lots of fun experiences. Throughout each day children will have time to explore and learn within our provision as well as take part in activities with their keyworker and group. It is our aim to send happy learners on their journey to Reception class.
We use the app – Class Dojo to keep you informed of what your child is learning and achieving with us.
We also ask that you use the APP to let us know if your child if off unwell or not attending setting.
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. In all activities, the emphasis is on learning through practical activities and play. Children are given opportunities in the setting to reflect on the different ways that they learn. These are known as Characteristics of Effective Learning:
* playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
* active learning - children concentrate, keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
* creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for carrying out tasks.
You can find out more about the new EYFS curriculum through opening the Development Matters at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters--2
and the Statutory Framework at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
Funding - how it works!
We are a 30 hour a week, term time only Pre School offering childcare between 8.45 and 3.15 Monday to Friday. We only accept children for the full 30 hours.
There are a number of different ways to pay for your child's care, these include 15 hours funded childcare for all 3 and 4 year-olds (universal entitlement) 30 hours funded childcare for eligible children aged 9months+ (working parents). We accept the 30-hour government funding or the 15 hours funding plus a paid top up.
You can check your eligibility by visiting the government website: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
The application takes around 20 minutes. You may get instant confirmation, but it can take up to 7 days. Once approved, you’ll receive a code to give to the school office. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months to keep the code valid. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll need to reconfirm to ensure your code remains valid. If you already have a tax-free childcare account, you may need to wait until your next reconfirmation to apply.
Important: Funding can only begin from the start of a school term after your code has been issued—not mid-term. To avoid delays, you must apply and have a valid code by the end of the month before the new term begins.
If you are not eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare sessions for working parents, a 3 hour session is £15 with a full week's charge equalling £75. All pupils are charged £2 a day for the lunch period session, this is to cover the staffing charge for 30 minutes during the lunch period that is not covered by the funding/top up payment (ie you child attends 6.5 hours per day but the session charges only cover 6 hours). These charges are reviewed annually.
It is the responsibility of the parents/carers to ensure that they update their eligibility for the funded hours and reconfirm their details on the government website every three months. Failing to do so could result in the code expiring and funding will stop.
In this situation, parents would be charged for the hours of childcare received and non-payment would result in the cancellation of the child’s place.
During the admissions process, we will prioritise those children who can start in September. We may offer a January start if there is still availability.
This link will take you to your childcare account where you can login in and reconfirm your code https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account