Copyright © Acorn Pre-School & the Mighty Oaks 2010
Registered Charity No. 1042353 - Ofsted No. EY371758 - PSLA No. 1580
Website Designed by Alex Trevor
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Learning through Play
We recognise that every child is an individual with their own character, abilities, sense of humour and needs. We encourage them to reach their potential through a variety of activities.
Our sessions offer a range of activities, with specific learning aims, which children are able to choose from. Our dressing up and kitchen play area will stimulate your child’s imagination giving them a chance to role play along with floor toys such as garages, cars, construction toys, Lego and Playmobil.
Our water, sand or saw dust play is always popular and we regularly rotate these to provide the children with different experiences. Painting and Playdoh is always part of our sessions.
Children are given an opportunity at every session to join in an adult lead activity, whether it be sticking, planting, baking, cutting.
Our outdoor play area, equipped with trikes, bikes, cars and prams, provides an environment for our children to be more energetic. We are currently planning the further development of this area which will include a climbing frame, slide and hopscotch and number snake on the pavement.
Twice a week we have a show and tell session. The children are encouraged to bring in items from home which they can share and talk about to the staff and the other children. Throughout the term we have different themes and these sessions are a great opportunity for the children to bring in items relating to the weeks theme.
What to wear
Acorn Pre-School t-shirts are available to purchase, however these are not compulsory. It is important that our child wears clothes that are easy for them to manage by themselves and comfortable. We will encourage your children to explore and learn through activities and sometimes these activities can be messy.
Key Worker
Each child has a key worker which will work closely with your child to ensure their individual needs are catered for. The key worker will carryout informal observations of your child which will be recorded in a book for you and them to take to Nursery. We have found that a key worker helps with the child’s settling in at pre-school and can work with parents through shared knowledge.
Refreshments
Water is available throughout the sessions for the children to help themselves. We have a snack break every session where children are offered milk or water to drink and a healthy snack is provided.
Parental Involvement
We operate a rota system for parent help and we ask that you help at two sessions per term. It is a great opportunity for you to see for yourselves what your child does during a session at pre-school and the children love having their parents their to help. Research shows that children learn better when their parent/carers are involved.
The Committee
The pre-school is run by a committee made up of parents who have volunteered. These voluntary members are elected at the AGM each year. The voluntary committee members get involved in the overall running of the pre-school, but its main focus is fundraising. We are a charity run organisation and rely heavily on the money raised at our events. We rely on the participation of parents/carers and friends to support us at such events in order to keep our fees as low as possible. The AGM is held annually in May. If you are interested in becoming a committee member look out for the AGM date in the Pre-School lobby.
We have a monthly newsletter, to keep you informed of all forthcoming events and topics for the term.
We recognise that every child is an individual with their own character, abilities, sense of humour and needs. We encourage them to reach their potential through a variety of activities.
Our sessions offer a range of activities, with specific learning aims, which children are able to choose from. Our dressing up and kitchen play area will stimulate your child’s imagination giving them a chance to role play along with floor toys such as garages, cars, construction toys, Lego and Playmobil.
Our water, sand or saw dust play is always popular and we regularly rotate these to provide the children with different experiences. Painting and Playdoh is always part of our sessions.
Children are given an opportunity at every session to join in an adult lead activity, whether it be sticking, planting, baking, cutting.
Our outdoor play area, equipped with trikes, bikes, cars and prams, provides an environment for our children to be more energetic. We are currently planning the further development of this area which will include a climbing frame, slide and hopscotch and number snake on the pavement.
Twice a week we have a show and tell session. The children are encouraged to bring in items from home which they can share and talk about to the staff and the other children. Throughout the term we have different themes and these sessions are a great opportunity for the children to bring in items relating to the weeks theme.
What to wear
Acorn Pre-School t-shirts are available to purchase, however these are not compulsory. It is important that our child wears clothes that are easy for them to manage by themselves and comfortable. We will encourage your children to explore and learn through activities and sometimes these activities can be messy.
Key Worker
Each child has a key worker which will work closely with your child to ensure their individual needs are catered for. The key worker will carryout informal observations of your child which will be recorded in a book for you and them to take to Nursery. We have found that a key worker helps with the child’s settling in at pre-school and can work with parents through shared knowledge.
Refreshments
Water is available throughout the sessions for the children to help themselves. We have a snack break every session where children are offered milk or water to drink and a healthy snack is provided.
Parental Involvement
We operate a rota system for parent help and we ask that you help at two sessions per term. It is a great opportunity for you to see for yourselves what your child does during a session at pre-school and the children love having their parents their to help. Research shows that children learn better when their parent/carers are involved.
The Committee
The pre-school is run by a committee made up of parents who have volunteered. These voluntary members are elected at the AGM each year. The voluntary committee members get involved in the overall running of the pre-school, but its main focus is fundraising. We are a charity run organisation and rely heavily on the money raised at our events. We rely on the participation of parents/carers and friends to support us at such events in order to keep our fees as low as possible. The AGM is held annually in May. If you are interested in becoming a committee member look out for the AGM date in the Pre-School lobby.
We have a monthly newsletter, to keep you informed of all forthcoming events and topics for the term.
Session Times and Fees
Mighty Oaks Before School Club 8.00am - 9.15am £4.50 per child, per session
Morning Pre-School Session 9.15am - 11.45am £8.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks Lunch Club 11.45am - 12.45pm £3.25 per child, per session
Afternoon Pre-School Session 12.45pm - 3.15pm £8.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks After School Club 3.15pm - 5.00pm £6.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks After School Club 3.15pm - 6.00pm £9.25 per child, per session
(extended session)
Funding for Pre-School Sessions
Your child is eligible for pre-school sessions the term after their 3rd birthday.
Children born 1st Sept - 31st Dec inclusive are funded from Spring term (January)
Children born 1st Jan - 31st Mar inclusive are funded from Summer term (April)
Children born 1st April - 31st Aug inclusive are funded from Autumn term (September)
Funded Children
If your child is eligible for funding you must complete a funding application form which will be given to you at the start of term. If eligible your child will be entitled to 5 FREE government funded pre-school sessions per week. If you require any additional sessions, beyond the 5 free sessions, they will be allocated (space permitting) at a cost to you of £7.50 per session. Please note funded sessions do not include the Before/After School Clubs and Lunch Clubs, you will need to pay for these sessions.
Non-Funded Children
If your child is not eligible for funding all pre-school sessions and clubs will need to be paid for. Fees are payable half termly in advance.
Lunch Club
The lunch club is open to children age 2 years 9 months to 5 years.
Lunch Club will be open Monday - Friday 11.45 - 12.45.
Before School Club
The Club is open to children 2 years 9 months to 9 years and will be open Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 9.15am. Children will be provided with breakfast comprising cereal/Toast and Fruit and a drink of milk or water. Acorn staff will operate a walking bus to take children of school age to Shefford Lower School by 9.00am. Care will be continuous for those pre-school children attending Before School Club, followed by the morning pre-school session.
After School Club
The club is open to children aged 2 years 9 months - 9 years and will be open every day from 3.15pm - 5.00pm. An extended session is available from 5.00pm - 6.00pm at an additional cost. Children will be provided with a light snack and drinks. Acorn Staff will operate a walking bus to collect children from Shefford Lower School and take them to After School Club.
Payment for Fees for Clubs
Places at lunch club and the Mighty Oaks should ideally be pre-booked, at the beginning of each term. You will receive an invoice for fees for all the sessions/clubs that your child attends at the start of each half term. Fees should be paid promptly on receipt of this invoice. It may however be possible to book your child into clubs at short notice or even on the day, subject to availability. Please contact the office to check availability, payment must be made on the day.
Extra Sessions
Occasionally we will have places available at pre-school sessions and out of school clubs when children are on holiday or away due to sickness. If you are interested in your child doing an extra session/s from time to time please contact the office to check availability. These sessions will be charged at the usual rate whether or not your child is funded, and fees are payable on the day.
If you feel that our pre-school would suit your child and would like to visit, you are welcome to call in during a session. Please call our administrator on 01462 816281 who will be happy to arrange a suitable time.
Mighty Oaks Before School Club 8.00am - 9.15am £4.50 per child, per session
Morning Pre-School Session 9.15am - 11.45am £8.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks Lunch Club 11.45am - 12.45pm £3.25 per child, per session
Afternoon Pre-School Session 12.45pm - 3.15pm £8.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks After School Club 3.15pm - 5.00pm £6.25 per child, per session
Mighty Oaks After School Club 3.15pm - 6.00pm £9.25 per child, per session
(extended session)
Funding for Pre-School Sessions
Your child is eligible for pre-school sessions the term after their 3rd birthday.
Children born 1st Sept - 31st Dec inclusive are funded from Spring term (January)
Children born 1st Jan - 31st Mar inclusive are funded from Summer term (April)
Children born 1st April - 31st Aug inclusive are funded from Autumn term (September)
Funded Children
If your child is eligible for funding you must complete a funding application form which will be given to you at the start of term. If eligible your child will be entitled to 5 FREE government funded pre-school sessions per week. If you require any additional sessions, beyond the 5 free sessions, they will be allocated (space permitting) at a cost to you of £7.50 per session. Please note funded sessions do not include the Before/After School Clubs and Lunch Clubs, you will need to pay for these sessions.
Non-Funded Children
If your child is not eligible for funding all pre-school sessions and clubs will need to be paid for. Fees are payable half termly in advance.
Lunch Club
The lunch club is open to children age 2 years 9 months to 5 years.
Lunch Club will be open Monday - Friday 11.45 - 12.45.
Before School Club
The Club is open to children 2 years 9 months to 9 years and will be open Monday - Friday 8.00 am - 9.15am. Children will be provided with breakfast comprising cereal/Toast and Fruit and a drink of milk or water. Acorn staff will operate a walking bus to take children of school age to Shefford Lower School by 9.00am. Care will be continuous for those pre-school children attending Before School Club, followed by the morning pre-school session.
After School Club
The club is open to children aged 2 years 9 months - 9 years and will be open every day from 3.15pm - 5.00pm. An extended session is available from 5.00pm - 6.00pm at an additional cost. Children will be provided with a light snack and drinks. Acorn Staff will operate a walking bus to collect children from Shefford Lower School and take them to After School Club.
Payment for Fees for Clubs
Places at lunch club and the Mighty Oaks should ideally be pre-booked, at the beginning of each term. You will receive an invoice for fees for all the sessions/clubs that your child attends at the start of each half term. Fees should be paid promptly on receipt of this invoice. It may however be possible to book your child into clubs at short notice or even on the day, subject to availability. Please contact the office to check availability, payment must be made on the day.
Extra Sessions
Occasionally we will have places available at pre-school sessions and out of school clubs when children are on holiday or away due to sickness. If you are interested in your child doing an extra session/s from time to time please contact the office to check availability. These sessions will be charged at the usual rate whether or not your child is funded, and fees are payable on the day.
If you feel that our pre-school would suit your child and would like to visit, you are welcome to call in during a session. Please call our administrator on 01462 816281 who will be happy to arrange a suitable time.