At Helmsley Pre School we believe that the children should be at the centre of their learning. We build positive relationships with children and their families and work collaboratively with parents in order to nurture children’s confidence, ability and curiosity to learn.​

We understand that all children are at different levels of development, and we aim to create a safe and stimulating  environment where all children can take their learning forward by being helped to build upon what they already know and can do. ​

We promote free flow play within both the indoor and outdoor areas, the play in which is child initiated whereby the children choose what they want to play with.​

​The routines and activities that make up the day in pre-school are provided in ways that:​

• Help each child to feel that she/he is a valued member of the pre-school;​


• Ensure the safety of each child;​


• Help children to gain from the social experience of being part of a group; and​


• Provide children with opportunities to learn and help them to value learning.​

​We have clear aspirations for all our children which are intrinsically entwined to effectively support and enable them to become confident life-long learners:​

Ready to learn: Children have a positive, confident attitude to learning.  They are both physically and emotionally ready and motivated to learn.​

Resourceful: Children show initiative, are inquisitive, active and are prepared to use a variety of strategies to learn.​

Reflective: Children are curious, able and willing to learn from their mistakes and can reflect upon and share their progress.​

Resilient: Children are prepared to persevere and stay involved in their learning, even when the process is challenging.​

Reciprocal: Children are prepared to help each other and work as a team.

At pre-school we plan and provide activities using the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through the seven areas of learning we provide well planned play-based learning spaces, experiences and topics that excite and engage children, and which will enhance endless opportunities for child-initiated play. Children will be able to build on their own interests and develop their experiences . In some of these activities, children decide how they will use the activity and, in others, an adult takes the lead in helping the children to take part in the activity.​

The EYFS guides us in providing a broad and balanced early years education for all children whilst facilitating children to gain new skills, knowledge and understanding to support them on their individual learning journeys, whatever their starting points.​

​The Prime areas of learning and development which underpin everything in the early years.​

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development​


• Communication and Language​


• Physical Development​

​The Specific areas of learning and development which strengthen and apply the prime areas.​

• Literacy​


• Mathematics​


• Understanding the World​


• Expressive Arts & Design​

We regularly observe the children's play whilst at Pre-School, sharing a collection of pictures with children and their families through our online learning journey; Tapestry each week.​

We make periodic assessment summaries of children’s learning through Tapestry. We believe that parents know their children best and we ask them to contribute to assessment by  regularly sharing information about what their children like to do at home and how they, as parents, are supporting development. We undertake these assessment summaries at regular intervals, as well as times of transition, such as when a child moves into school. ​

​

Our staff team in Pre-school are here to keep our children safe, take good care of them and support learning and development. Our staff team work extremely hard to build positive relationships with children and their families and work collaboratively with parents to nurture children’s confidence, ability, and curiosity to learn. 

​

Miss Pashby – Pre-School Lead​

Mrs Rooke – Early Years Practitioner ​

​Key Person system ​

Each child has the support of their key person who will also work with the child’s family to encourage relevant information sharing. A member of the team will be on hand at drop off and pick up times to chat, share any quick concerns or answer any questions but these can often be busy times. If you require a longer chat, please make an appointment with Mrs Feather in our school office or contact us through Tapestry, or email.​

Preschool Sessions are split into three sections:​

• Morning: 8:30-11:45 ​


•  Lunch: 11:45-12:15 ​


• Afternoon: 12:15-3:15​

Pre-School children can also access our breakfast club running every morning from Monday to Friday from 7:45-8:45.​

​Start of the day ​

Pre-school starts every day at 8.45am with our gates opening for the day at 8.30am. Pre School children are dropped off and collected from the EYFS door at the rear of the school building. The Early Years playground gate will be locked until the doors open to ensure safety and prevent any children using the outdoor equipment unsupervised. ​

Snack​

Children have access to a snack on a morning and on an afternoon.​

Each day children are offered a selection of fruit and a choice of milk or water, as well as a variety of healthy snacks to try.​

An adult is on hand offering support and encouragement to children in helping them choose and prepare their drinks and snacks independently.​

Lunch​

Children can bring a packed lunch or have a school dinner. School dinner menus for the following week are shared on the school newsletter each Friday. Hot dinners are brought into pre-school on trays and are eaten alongside those children with a packed lunch, both children and staff sit together for the lunch time routine. Pre School children need to pay £2.15 for each school meal they require. This should be paid for using your Parent Pay account for your child.​

End of the school day ​

The day ends for Pre School children at 3:15pm. Children are to be collected from the EYFS entrance at the rear of the school, which is accessed by the school car park. The Early Years playground gate will be locked again until the doors open to ensure safety and prevent any children using the outdoor equipment unsupervised. ​

​The First Days at pre-school​

We want your child to feel happy and safe with us. The staff will work with you to decide on how to help your child to settle into pre-school. We hope that you and your child enjoy being members of our pre-school and that you both find taking part in our activities interesting and stimulating. The staff are always ready and willing to talk with you about your ideas, views or questions.

We welcome children into Pre-School in the term after they turn 3 years old. We have three intakes of children throughout the year; September, January and after Easter. ​

We offer the 15 hours government funded hours and 30 hours for those families who are eligible. We also offer additional session blocks at a very competitive rate.​​

Morning: 8:45-11:45 (£16.50 if additional to funded hours)​

Lunch: 1/2 hour lunch provision: 11:45-12:15 (£2.55 supervision fee)

Afternoon: 12:15 - 3:15 (£16.50, if additional to funded hours)

We have a breakfast club running every morning from Monday to Friday from 7:45-8:45. Prices are £4.50 for 1 hour. If you have 2 siblings within the school you will receive a discount, making the second child £3.50. Trustee employees will also receive a discount and will be charged £3.50 per session.​

​For more information about pre-school or to arrange a visit or pre-school place for your child please do not hesitate to get in touch.​

Pre-school​

Helmsley Community Primary School​

Carlton Lane​

Helmsley​

YO62 5HB​​

Tel - 01439 770783​

Email school admin: info@helmsley-rlt.co.uk​

Email Pre-School leader: apashby@helmsley-rlt.co.uk 

Miss E Midgley Class Teacher     Mrs A Gregory Teaching Assistant

In our Early Years unit, we plan and provide activities using the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through the seven areas of learning, we provide well planned play-based learning spaces and experiences and topics that excite and engage children, which will enhance endless opportunities for child-initiated play. Children will be able to build on their own interests and develop their experiences . In some of these activities, children decide how they will use the activity and, in others, an adult takes the lead in helping the children to take part in the activity.

The EYFS guides us in providing a broad and balanced early years education for all children whilst facilitating children to gain new skills, knowledge and understanding to support them on their individual learning journeys, whatever their starting points.

The Prime areas of learning and development which underpin everything in the early years.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development


• Communication and Language


• Physical Development

The Specific areas of learning and development which strengthen and apply the prime areas.

• Literacy


• Mathematics


• Understanding the World


• Expressive Arts & Design

We regularly observe the children's play whilst at school, sharing a collection of pictures with children and their families through our online learning journey; Tapestry each week.

We make periodic assessment summaries of children’s learning through Tapestry. We believe that parents know their children best and we ask them to contribute to assessment by  regularly sharing information about what their children like to do at home and how they, as parents, are supporting development. We undertake these assessment summaries at regular intervals, as well as times of transition, such as when a child moves into school.