Sidcot Pre-School

Teaching within these areas addresses the three prime aspects of the curriculum: 

• Communication and language development
• Physical development 
• Personal, social and emotional development

Children can start attending our Pre-School when they turn three 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.

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.

Sidcot Pre-School Daily Routine

• Morning Sessions - 08:45 to 11:45
• Lunch - 11:45 to 12:45
• Afternoon Sessions - 12:45 to 15:45

All mornings follow a similar structure, except Thursday when children participate in Forest School. Depending on the age of the children and the time of year, the morning sessions include finger gym, phonics, stories, rhymes, maths, reading, and lots of continuous provision time where the children can choose what they would like to do. During the continuous provision time, staff 'play' with the children and use their knowledge of the children and the curriculum to move their learning forward.

Afternoons follow a timetable detailed below: 

If you require wraparound care for your child outside of our standard Pre-School hours, this is available from 7.45am and until 6pm every day. 
 

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 our Junior School, the next stage on your child’s journey with Sidcot. 

At Sidcot, we believe play is a vital component to children’s development in Pre-School and Reception. 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 learn best when they are really engaged and excited about their learning and this is what we aim to do every single day. Our small ratios enable us to spend lots of time getting to know each and every child as an individual and find out what really interests and engages them. Our skilled practitioners then use this appreciation of the individual to help children to develop their knowledge and understanding.

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. Find out more about our baby and toddler group, including price information. 

Contact us today to learn more about our Pre-School, the first step on your child’s journey at Sidcot.