We recognise the importance Early Learning has on children’s success in life. Our Early Years provision equips children with the skills and learning characteristics to ignite their curiosity and a love of learning.
Our Pre-School and Reception children make use of many of the Senior School facilities such as the swimming pool, library and drama studio, as well as the lovely woodland Forest School. Regular activities include creative arts, cookery, dance, music, PE, and plenty of outdoor play. Here is just a taste of all the different activities our pupils in Early Years get up to throughout the week:
A Day In The Life Of Sidcot Pre-School
Our Approach to Learning
Children attending our independent Pre-School and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This focuses on developing children’s skills in the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development, as well as the specific areas of Literacy, Mathematics, understanding the world and Expressive Arts and Design.
We believe the curriculum to be more than this though; we think it’s important to help create individuals who are ready to learn but who are also going to be responsible citizens of the future. We introduce children to skills they will continue to develop during their time at Sidcot, including curiosity, integrity, empathy, proactivity, resilience, thoughtfulness, and open-mindedness.
Find Out More About Sidcot Pre-School
Whether you're looking to visit our Pre-School in person or simply have a few questions you'd like answered, we're here to help. Fill out the form below, and a member of our friendly Admissions team will be in touch shortly:
Pre-School | Ages 3 - 4
At Sidcot, we believe play is a vital component of children’s development in Pre-School. That is why the majority of the day is spent with the children, having long periods of uninterrupted play where adults and children can play and learn together. Children have an opportunity to learn about the world around us, through our Nature School and Forest School, as well as create in our woodwork area.
Children learn best when they are fully engaged and excited about their learning, and this is what we strive to achieve every day. Our small ratios enable us to spend lots of time getting to know each and every child as an individual and finding out what interests and engages them. Our skilled practitioners then use this appreciation of the individual to help children develop their knowledge and understanding.
Children can start attending our Pre-School when they turn 3 years old and are considered to be ‘dry’. We accept Local Authority Early Years funding up to a maximum of 15 hours per week until the term following a child’s fifth birthday. We expect children to start with a minimum of four sessions and recommend that this incorporates a whole day.
If you have younger children and would like to bring them along to our Baby and Toddler Group, this runs on weekday mornings, with activities including music and movement, swimming, and nature club.
Reception | Ages 4 - 5
We believe that for our children to make the most progress in their learning, they need to have an invested interest in everything they do. Children move into our Reception class the September after they turn 4. Our Reception children lead their learning through long periods of uninterrupted play sessions where our expert staff support, encourage, and model how to move their learning forward.
Our staff provide an individualised learning programme based on the interests of our children. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and support the children in learning our key skills, which are embedded within our Sidcot Learning Wheel. These skills equip our children to be empathetic towards others, persevere in the face of challenges and, most importantly, begin a lifelong love of learning.
A typical week in Reception involves learning through play within our amazing indoor and outdoor provisions, short carpet sessions which build on the children’s phonetic knowledge and mathematical skills, a child-led Forest School session based on-site, swimming, PE, and French sessions taught by specialist staff and enjoying a delicious locally sourced lunch with staff and friends in our beautiful Refectory.
Our Reception and Pre-school children work closely together to allow for a seamless transition when the children move into Reception. Every day is different, every child is unique, and we foster an important sense of belonging for our children. If you are curious about the wonderful provision we can offer your child, please get in touch.
Pre-School Daily Routine
- Morning Sessions - 08:45 to 11:45
- Lunch - 11:45 to 12:45
- Afternoon Sessions - 12:45 to 15:45
If you require wraparound care for your child outside of our standard Pre-School hours, this is available from 7:45am until 6:00pm every day.
Pre-School Fees
Pre-School is charged at £61.50 per day, as follows:
8:45 - 11:45am: £29.00
Lunch: £3.50
12:45 - 3:45pm: £29.00
More information on our School fees can be found here.
