Please complete and return an application form which can be found below or on the 'our files' page.

Application Form

Once we receive your completed application form, your child will be entered on to our waiting list. We will contact you by phone to see if you still require these sessions when we are completing our intake for the new term.

There is one main intake per year starting in September. Due to the numbers of children starting at this time and the need to ensure children are settled, children’s start dates may be staggered.  We will accommodate the needs of families as far as possible.

As well as an introduction evening for parents, you and your child will be invited to attend an introductory play session prior to their start date when they can explore the setting, play and meet their key person.

We can also arrange a home-visit by the Pre-school leader on request. This forms part of the Settling In Procedure.

You are very welcome to stay with your child until they have settled in.

Yes, we hold an introduction evening for parents before your child starts.

If you wish to visit sooner, please contact us.

A member of staff will be on the gate to sign your child in. If your child is happy to, they can go in to the pre-school.

If you wish to go in with them then your child’s photograph can be found on the board to your left in the hallway.

Encourage your child to bring it in to self-registration in Room 1. Your child’s belongings (coat, spare clothes, wellies etc) can be left on their coat peg. Lunchboxes should be left in the tall fridge in the hallway. 

Each session starts with free-play where the children choose from the activities provided.  During the session there will be a story time, snack time, and more free-play. 

Our outside area is open at all times so the children can choose where to play. We provide activities and experiences for the children to build on their life skills through  play so they become confident, resilient and independent. 

There are currently eight members of staff:

• Pre-school Leader - Gitte
• Deputy Leader and SENCO - Ashley
• Three Early Years Level Qualified pre-school assistants - Mel, Teri and Chloe
• Apprentice - Sam
• Administrator - Sharon

All staff are First Aid trained and have DBS clearance.

You can speak to any member of the team about your child, but your child’s keyperson will help your child settle in and support them during their time at pre-school.

The keyperson will observe your child, keep records and monitor their progress and development. 

Please remember to let your key-person know if you have any worries or concerns or if there are any special events going on such as moving house, holiday, new baby or birthdays.

Please see current sessions and prices below:

We regularly consult with parents/carers to ensure that opening times are meeting the needs of the local community.

It is a requirement that children attend a minimum of two sessions per week over two days, to make it easier for them to settle within the pre-school, and to enable their key person to observe and support the child.

We make our Equal Opportunities Policy available to all. A copy is available on request or in the pre-school hallway. 

Snacks are provided by the pre-school during a morning and afternoon session, and you will be invoiced 30p per session. 

You are able to opt out of the pre-school snack provision, with parents providing their own snack portions for each session. Parents need to inform a member of staff if they would like to opt out.  

If you do not opt out then the 30p sessional charge will be added to your invoice.

The Pre-school is open every week day during term-time:

Monday – Friday 08.00 am to 3.30 pm

The Pre-school is closed for School holidays and Bank Holidays.

Children may attend for either mornings, afternoons, all day or a combination of these.  

The fees are invoiced once a term and you can choose to pay weekly , monthly, half termly or all at once by cash,cheque or bank transfer.  

We can also receive payment via tax-free childcare.

The Pre-school is registered to receive Government funding which covers 38 weeks per year.

Please check what funding you may be entitled to by visiting - Childcare funding options - Dorset Council

It is the responsibility of parents/carers to obtain eligibility codes for funding meaning the pre-school is unable to obtain codes on your behalf.

Please ask us if you need help.

Yes we do. Just add us as a childcare provider from your child's tax-free childcare account and let us know the payment reference.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stages (EYFS) which covers the seven areas of learning and development, with staff monitoring children’s individual interests and developmental needs.

Learning takes place in the here and now, where children are engaged, curious and their knowledge is extended. This is known as ’In the Moment Planning.’

Each child is allocated a key-person who will observe and create a Learning Journey which evidences the child’s progress through the Foundation Stage.

You can speak to your child's key-person for an update at any time.

Your child’s Learning Journey is a collection of photographs, observations and their own work which may include examples of their artwork and pieces of early mark making and comments from your child. You are very welcome to look at it at any time; just speak to your child’s keyperson.  

Records are confidential between the staff and parent/carers. We value any contribution parents would like to make to the Learning Journey. This creates a unique record of your child’s learning in all the developmental areas of the EYFS.

At the end of your child’s time at St Andrews Pre-School the Learning Journey will be sent home for you and your child to treasure.

When children start at St Andrew’s Pre-School, parents are asked to complete a questionnaire about their child’s development and learning. Each child will also be assigned a key-person who will support your child and build up a record of your child’s progress during their time with us.

Ongoing observational assessments are made on all the children and are linked to the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This, in some cases, identifies individual needs. These observations will be discussed with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO); if an individual need has been identified, they will discuss this with you and can plan together the best way to support your child’s learning and development. If you have any concern about your child’s development please speak to the child’s key-person or our pre-school SENCO.

Your child will be supported throughout their time with us by their key-person who will work closely with the SENCO and, with parental consent, other professionals such as a Best Start in Life advisor and Speech and Language Therapists. With their advice and guidance we will strive to achieve the very best outcomes for your child.

We are aware that each child is unique so our plans and arrangements for children are just as unique, and tailored to the specific needs of each child. An Individual Plan (IP) will be written in partnership with the SENCO, key-person and the parents. This will be updated termly or as required and include detailed steps to support your child’s learning and development. We will also suggest activities for you to do at home with your child.

The SENCO and key-person are always available to discuss your child’s progress and answer any questions or concerns you may have.  If it becomes necessary and we consider your child would benefit from additional support and funding to improve their outcome, with parents input and permission, we will submit an Educational Health and Care Plan.  This involves working together with other professionals including the chosen primary school as this will ensure all areas of your child’s development and educational needs are met.

St Andrew’s Pre-school uses the Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as a guide for children’s learning and development. 

Observational assessments will be used as a starting point and targets will be set if necessary to support the learning and development of your child. This enables planning for individual needs and learning goals; plans will reflect your child’s particular interests and strengths while working on areas that require support.

We will ask you for copies of any assessments ie. 2 year check and (ASQ) Ages and Stages Questionnaire as part of your child’s induction to pre-school.

A Learning Journey of your child’s progress will be compiled; this will include photographs, observations and assessments. You are welcome to look through it at any time, and add your own comments about your child’s achievements at home.  

When your child starts pre-school we undertake a ‘2 year progress check’. This supplies parents with a short written summary of their child’s development in the 3 prime areas:  

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

This will indicate whether or not your child is meeting the developmental milestones for their age.
Each child has an EYFS progress tracker covering all areas of the curriculum; this is updated termly.
Termly progress appointments are available with your key-person and our SENCO. We have an open-door policy and parents are welcome at any time to drop in for an informal chat. Support resources and help sheets are available for parents to use at home with their child. Programmes of activities provided by outside agencies are shared with parents to use at home.

Our practitioners are friendly and welcoming, providing an inclusive, sensitive and positive approach for your child to feel welcome in our pre-school. We provide good role models for positive behaviour, and we are consistent in our day-to-day care of all our children. Social skills are developed through routines such as circle time and snack time, and through activities which encourage turn-taking and sharing. 

Children with behaviour difficulties will be supported by every member of staff, adhering to the setting’s Behaviour Management Policy. Concerns about behaviour are logged and strategies devised to encourage positive behaviour.

Staff are sensitive to the needs of each child and where needed, will provide more restful activities in the quiet area.

All staff are trained in Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Children. Prescribed medicines can be safely stored and administered by us with written parental consent. Staff will be trained in the administration of medication if required. 

We aim to offer a safe, stimulating and caring environment.

The pre-school liaises with Best Start in Life Advisor’s and consultants from Dorset Early Years and Childcare Service, Speech and Language Therapists, Local Educational Psychologists, Hearing / Vision Support, Health Visitors and primary school SENCO’s in order to support your child. Should any other specialist services be needed to support your child the pre-school will make arrangements as required. We have good links with our local Parent Partnership zone now known as West Locality and we can signpost you to support which is available through the Bridport Family Hub. Where necessary we would involve Health Care Professionals in the training of staff.

Our SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), has completed SENCO training and refresh this every 3 years. They have also attended WELLCOMM training which is a toolkit being used in Early years settings and schools across England.. The toolkit will enable us to quickly and easily identify children needing speech and language support, which could make a crucial difference to their confidence and attainment. All children are screened through the Wellcomm programme. The majority of staff have attended communication and language training and all staff are committed to continuous training according to the need of each child.

Signalong is a sign-supported communication system based on British Sign Language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to communicate. Signalong is being introduced to the children to support and encourage their communication skills and there are benefits for all the children at the setting. 

Staff meetings within the setting will ensure all staff working with your child know your child’s strengths and needs, and how to support them.

If a child comes to the setting with a need that practitioners are not familiar with, the SENCO and your child’s key person will liaise with the parents and any other agencies involved in the care of your child to develop a plan and access training and funding. This will hopefully enable us to meet the needs of your child.

The pre-school has a range of sensory resources . They are multi-purpose and can be used with children who have a variety of sensory needs, eg, to develop or support an aspect of their physical development, or as a calming strategy or perhaps to help them focus during group times.

The building has ramp access and wide doors with low thresholds to improve access for all. We have low level accessible toilet facilities. The rooms are decorated in neutral colours, to provide a calm and welcoming home-like environment. We also have a separate room that is used for quiet activities. This room has had Sounds orba type acoustic paneling fitted to improve the acoustics of the room.

We carry out regular assessments of the environment to ensure that it is effective in meeting the needs of the children who attend. Before a child with SEND starts at the pre-school, we would review the environment and resources with the child’s parents; we could then make improvements to meet the particular needs of the child. 

You will be invited to an induction session before your child starts. This is an opportunity for you to get to know the setting, meet all the staff and become familiar with what activities and routines your child will participate in during their time at pre-school.  Your child will be assigned a key-person who will closely support your child with settling in and will ensure your child’s needs are recognised and met. 

The term before your child moves on to school, the reception teachers will come to the pre-school to meet your child.  We will provide them with a written transfer to school document with information on your child’s stage of development, their likes and dislikes and any methods of support that have been effective in supporting them.

For children with Special Educational Needs the groups SENCOs will work closely with the school’s SENCO, from the time of diagnosis, to ensure a smooth transition and so that the school staff know the child and their needs well. 

All children are invited into the local schools on several occasions during the term prior to starting school to familiarise them with their new teacher and school. We also use the facilities at Bridport Primary School throughout the year which further helps those of our children who go on to attend there.

If a child has a special educational need, enhanced transition meetings will be arranged between the parents, pre-school, school and any other professionals involved to help with the transition. Where necessary extra school visits will be arranged and resources provided.

When the pre-school receives Special Educational Needs funding it will be allocated to your child by providing additional support. We would work with you and other professionals to consider how best to use this fund to support and enhance your child’s learning.

We will determine whether your child would benefit from additional support through our on-going observations and assessments.  We would talk with parents and share our observations and assessments, working together to devise strategies on how to best support your child. 

An individual plan is written with parent’s input. This will be reviewed regularly to determine if the extra support has had an impact on your child, or whether it would be beneficial to obtain support from outside agencies.  

We apply for additional funding from the local authority who decide how many hours will be funded for additional support for your child.

The philosophy of Forest School is based upon a desire to provide children with an education and experience which encourages appreciation of the natural world and which will instil responsibility for nature conservation in later life.  Using the outdoor environment, children are encouraged and inspired to grow in confidence, independence and self-esteem through the mastery of small achievable tasks.

It also encourages the children to:

We are very lucky to have use of Bridport Primary Schools extensive wooded outdoor area at the top of the school fields.  We have regular forest school sessions where we do lots of activities including den building, climbing, collecting etc. 

The idea is that we go out in all weathers, exploring our Forest School area, so children will need to be dressed appropriately in the clothes listed below.

• Wellington boots
• Warm socks
• Trousers
• Long sleeved top (and layers in colder weather)
• Waterproof coat and trousers
• Mittens
• Hat

Please make sure all items are named.

If possible, please arrive at start of session with your child appropriately dressed ready for Forest School activities.  This will enable us to have more time up at Forest School.  Thank you.

If you would like to borrow any of these items we have some spare clothing, so please don’t hesitate to ask.

St Andrews Pre-School operates a healthy eating policy.

A drink of milk or water and a healthy snack are provided about half way through a session. Water is freely available at any time if a child is thirsty. 

Fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese and bread are some of the options provided by the pre-school during a morning and afternoon session.

Yes, you will be invoiced 30p per session for snacks.

You are able to opt out of the pre-school snack provision, with parents providing their own snack portions for each session. Parents need to inform a member of staff if they would like to opt out.  

If your child wears nappies we will change them as necessary.  Please provide nappies and baby wipes and leave them in a named bag on your child’s peg.

We will also support parents/carers that want to use re-usable nappies.

Yes, please leave a couple of spare set of clothes for your child so we can change them should it be necessary.  Children often get messy or wet at pre-school during play.

Unfortunately we do not have parking available, so please park in St Andrews Road or use the Co-Op car park.

St Andrews Pre-School uniform is available to buy either new or second hand - please ask for more details.

Uniform is not compulsory but please ‘dress for mess’!

You are welcome to leave your pushchair/buggy in the small covered area outside.

We have plenty of resources for the children to use at the Preschool, so please do not bring in toys from home. 

This can cause disagreements between the children and also a child can be very upset if an item is lost or broken.  Staff also end up spending time looking for them at the end of session.  

Comfort toys/blankets are the only exceptions.

Parents are always welcome to join us during a session and to help with walks and other activities.  If you would like to help in some way please let us know.

We are committed to safeguarding all the children in our care.  Therefore, we ask all parents/carers not to use mobile phones in the pre-school.  Please turn off your mobile phone while on the premises.

Visitors must turn off their mobile phone and hand it in to the office.

The Pre-School does not allow the use of any personal image-recording device such as cameras, mobile phones, camcorders, I-pads etc., to be used by anyone in the pre-school without the prior permission of the Pre-School Leader.

We discourage parents from placing photos taken at any pre-school event on to a social network or website of any sort.

St Andrews pre-school is a registered charity, is non-profit making and managed by a committee of volunteers, mainly parents of children attending the pre-school.

They are elected at the AGM held once a year.

The committee plays a key role in supporting the manager and staff in delivering a high-quality early years environment. Its primary focus is to provide practical and organisational support, helping the team run smoothly and effectively.

By working alongside the manager, the committee assists with decision-making and ensuring that the setting has the resources it needs. This may include helping with reviewing pre-school policies, employment of staff, fund raising, budgeting, and maintaining clear communication with parents.

The committee also offers encouragement and backing to staff, creating a positive and cooperative atmosphere. Through this support, the team can focus on what matters most - providing a safe, caring, and engaging environment for every child.

Being on the committee can be a very enjoyable, rewarding and sociable experience and we hope you will become involved – everyone is welcome. 

Please see Gitte for more information or contact the committee directly on [email protected].