Alrewas
Village Hall, Wellfield Rd, Alrewas DE13 7HB
Tel: 07890 530616
Stepping Stones Pre-School Play and Learn, is situated in Alrewas Village Hall on Wellfield Road. The Pre School is a registered charity (No. 1026412) and operates as a not-for-profit making organisation. We are affiliated with the Pre-School Learning Alliance (No. 33170) and are fully inspected and registered with OFSTED (No. 218625).
We are registered to take up to 38 children and children are supervised by experienced staff. We accept children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years. Sessions are a combination of free play, allowing each child to socialise and gain confidence during the course of play, as well as structured/supervised activities to maximise their learning experiences. We place importance on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the children in our care. For older children (in the academic year before they start in Reception class), there is a more structured and progressive approach to prepare them for starting school – Stepping Up.
We operate a ‘Key Worker’ system for all children by allocating a member of staff to each child. They ensure that each child reaches their potential whilst working at their own pace. They keep parents informed about their child’s progress and development throughout their time at Stepping Stones. Parents are always welcome to talk to their child’s Key Workers, but we politely request that an appointment is made. This is so we can maintain the correct staff : children ratio during the appointment.
We are a separate organisation from All Saints Primary School, but we have strong links with their Early Years Unit. We also have good links with other local ‘feeder’ schools. This helps our older children to feel more at ease and supported during their transition to primary school.
Stepping Stones gets involved in many community activities and events, such as the Alrewas Show, Scouts Bonfire Night, Remembrance Sunday, .All Saints Primary School Christmas Fayre and All Saints Church Christmas Tree Festival.
The Pre-School is run by paid
staff and by a group of volunteers elected onto a Management Committee. As we
are a ‘not for profit charity run business’ we can offer low cost affordable
childcare places. We rely on the income
from the fees that parents pay and fund-raising events throughout the year to
cover all outgoing costs.
We were inspected by OFSTED in September 2019. We
were very pleased to have been rated Good.
Some of the key findings from
the Inspection Report are that we:
·
plan
a broad and exciting curriculum to support the best progress of the children in
our care
·
teach
the importance of a healthy body and healthy mind
·
ignite
children’s thirst for learning
·
enable
children to feel confident and secure; and be inquisitive, respectful,
motivated and independent
· have welcoming and well qualified staff with high expectations and strong parent / staff partnerships
If you would like to read our report, it can be found on: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/218625
Admissions Procedure
If you wish to register your
child with us here at Stepping Stones, the Registration Pack can be handed /
emailed to you. This includes all the paperwork
you need to complete. This should be returned prior to, or at, your child’s
first session. You should also bring in your child’s original FULL birth
certificate or passport as we need to see proof of identity. There is a one-off registration fee of £10 that
is payable at the start, and you will be given one embroidered ‘Stepping
Stones’ polo shirt. Please note that once your child has a place confirmed, you
will be charged for that place whether your child attends or not. There can be
no refunds for non-attendance.
Starting Pre-School
A
child who is unsettled or unhappy will not be able to play or learn properly,
so it is important for parents and staff to work together to help him/her to
feel confident and secure in the group. Your child’s Key Worker will help your
child to settle in by keeping a watchful eye on him/her particularly during the
first few weeks. We are a fully inclusive setting, and can cater for a range of
dietary requirements – just let us know on the registration forms.
Aims and Curriculum
We
aim to provide a high quality, secure and stimulating environment in which all
children can play and learn. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage
document, and through our planning address all seven areas of learning detailed
in it. We also intrinsically teach British Values through our planning. For
more information about British Values, look at https://www.pacey.org.uk/news-and-views/pacey-blog/2015/september-2015/fundamental-british-values-in-the-early-years/
Staffing
The
team consists of 5 experienced and highly qualified members of staff, including
a qualified teacher, one member of the team with an Early Years Foundation
Degree and three members of staff who have accredited level 3 qualifications in
Childcare. Equally importantly – we are all mums! All staff have current
Enhanced DBS checks and regular checks are undertaken to ensure that they continue
to be suitable to work with children. Our staff team is committed to completing
on-going training including paediatric first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene.
Safeguarding Children: Safeguarding Statement
Stepping
Stones believes that every child is entitled to a safe and happy environment.
All adults associated with Stepping Stones are committed to this statement.
Anyone using Stepping Stones will also accept these principles and should
anyone have any concerns the advice of professional agencies will be sought.
Our
Designated Safeguarding Lead is Ruth, and our Deputy Designated Safeguarding
Lead is Rose.
Timings
We are open during Staffordshire County Council term time, except for occasional staff training days. We also run a play scheme during the first four or five weeks of the school summer holidays. Session times are as follows
|
Morning session |
Lunch |
Afternoon session |
Monday |
9.00 – 11.30 |
11.30-12.30 |
12.30 - 3.00 |
Tuesday |
9.00 - 11.30 |
11.30-12.30 |
12.30 - 3.00 |
Wednesday |
9.00 – 11.30 |
11.30-12.30 |
12.30 - 3.00 |
Thursday |
9.00 – 11.30 |
11.30-12.30 |
12.30 - 3.00 |
Friday |
9.00 – 11.30 |
11.30-12.30 |
12.30 - 3.00 |
Collection Times
When picking up children, please arrive at 11.30 for pick up after a morning session and 3.00pm for pick up after an afternoon session. If picking up after lunch club, then arrive at 12.30pm.
Extra Sessions
If
a child does not attend their normal session, their place can be taken by another
child doing an extra session. These are allocated on a “first come first
served” basis, extra sessions can be booked if spaces are available. To check
availability for extra places on selected days, please give us a call. All
extra sessions must be paid for on the day. For regular extra sessions, please speak to
Rose.
Sessions CANNOT be swapped for different sessions/days
Lunch Club
Lunch
club is available every day from 11.30am. You need to provide a named packed
lunch for your child. The cost for lunch club is £4.00 per child, this will be
added to your half termly fees.
Lunches that are not pre-booked
must be paid for on the day.
Clothing
It is best to send your child to a session in clothes that are easily washable and not too new, as paints and glue are readily available! Simple clothing enables the children to be more independent when going to the toilet or when getting ready to go home. Uniform items (polo shirts, jumpers and cardigans) can be ordered by giving your request to Rose. She can advise about sizing if needed as well. Wearing of uniform is not compulsory.
All children should bring a named change of clothes with them in a clearly named bag. Children who are still in nappies must also bring with them fresh nappies, baby wipes and nappy sacks. We respectfully request that, unless your child is potty training, you pack nappies rather than pull ups. If your child is potty training, please speak to your child's keyworker to discuss their particular requirements. Please regularly check and restock your child's bag.
Drinks/snacks
During
each session we will provide a drink of milk or water and a snack. A range of
snacks is provided throughout the week – fresh fruit, crackers, toast, cheese,
biscuits as well as themed food (for example Chinese food during Chinese New Year).
If your child has dietary requirements, allergies
or food intolerances, please let us know and we can ensure we have something
suitable for them to eat. We also ask parents to provide a drink from home in a
named bottle, and a packed lunch if they are staying for lunch club.
Fees
Each child £14.00
(per session)
Lunch club £4.00
Consumables and resources £7.00,
payable half termly
Full day rate £32.00
Registration fee £15.00 (once only payment and
includes one embroidered polo t shirt)
Late payment fee £10.00
Fees are charged half termly in advance. Fee invoices are sent out via email (or paper on request) a month prior to the end of each half term with a deadline for payment prior to the start date of the next half term.
Payment methods:
- Cheques - made payable to ‘Stepping
Stones’. Parents will be required to pay any fees incurred by Stepping
Stones for returned cheques
- Cash - please send cash in a
named envelope. If paying by cash
it is the parent’s responsibility to get a receipt.
- Online banking – the fees
invoice will give details of account to pay fees into, please use your
child’s name as the reference.
- Card payments – we have a
card reader for quick and easy payments.
- Stepping Stones can tailor a
payment plan to suit your financial circumstances. For more information,
speak to Rose.
- Tax free childcare scheme (replaces childcare voucher scheme). For information speak to Rose.
We also accept funded placements – 2, 3 and 4 year old funding
and childcare vouchers.
Funding commences the term after children have turned two/three years
old.
Loyalty
Scheme for funded children
If you claim
ALL 15 hours of your funding with us, we can offer you free lunches on those
three days!
So, all you would pay would be toy money every half term.
Stepping Stones Management
Committee
The overall management of the Pre-School is by the Committee; a group of volunteers made up of parents/carers and volunteers, who are willing to give some of their free time to help Stepping Stones. There are four main officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. These Roles are supported by other committee members / parent helpers. The Committee meets on a monthly basis. The Committee also organise regular fund-raising events, which we rely on for purchasing new toys and equipment.
As
a charity run business we have to have a certain number of parent representatives
on the committee to meet with PLA guidelines. We are always looking for new
committee members. All Committee Members must undergo an Enhanced DBS check and
an Ofsted suitability check in order to meet Ofsted’s safeguarding children
requirements. We can do this paperwork with you, so don’t let this put you off
if you’re interested!
Children with additional needs
At Stepping Stones, we believe that every child
develops in their own time and at their own pace. However, should you have any
concerns about your child’s development, your child’s Key Worker will be happy
to talk to you about it. Our Special
Educational Needs
Co-ordinator is Rose. She has lots of experience of
dealing with ‘outside professionals’ such as Physiotherapists, Speech and
Language Therapists and Community Paediatricians.
Trips and Visitors
From time to time, we take the children out on walks
around the village to enrich their learning in the setting. Places we have been
to include All Saints Primary School. Al Saints Church and on a bear hunt to
the park. Some children have represented us at events at the National Memorial
Arboretum. You will be informed and permission will be sought prior to the
visit.
We actively encourage visitors to come into the setting to talk to the children. We have recently enjoyed visits from a local farmer, our village PCSO, lambs and a puppy! Please be assured that all of these activities are suitably risk assessed.
Policies
Stepping Stones has a comprehensive set of policies that cover all aspects of the setting. They are reviewed and adopted annually to ensure that they are current. These are available for you to read – just ask a member of staff. They are also available to read on our facebook page and website.
Assessment and Record Keeping
Key Workers carry out
regular observations of their Key Children. During these observations, they
analyse what each child is doing, progress made since the last observation and identify
the child’s next steps. These observations are often accompanied by
photographic or video evidence and are stored on a secure online portal called Tapestry.
Upon enrolment at Stepping Stones, parents are given unique login details which
enables them to access the observations that have been completed on their
child. Parents are able to comment on the observations and add their own
observations and photographs of what their child has done at home. This is a really important
link between home and the setting.
In the summer term,
parents are invited to a parent consultation meeting with their child’s Key
Worker. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the progress, development
and achievement of their child. (please see our Covid-19 policy for latest guidance.)
The full version of our Prospectus can be sent to parents on request - please send your request to
manager.steppingstones@hotmail.com