Welcome

Owlets preschool has been supporting the village of Langford for over 20 years.  With a growing community we aim to continue supporting the families within Langford and surrounding areas.

We offer children the opportunity to learn through play in a stimulating and nurturing environment and are committed to providing this to children from all backgrounds and of all abilities.

We believe that every child is an individual and has their own interests.  We offer children the opportunity to develop in their own time when they feel safe and secure.

We know starting anywhere new can be scary & daunting - not just for our little Owlets but also for their parents / carers.  Thats why at Owlets we offer home visits as well as settling in sessions before you join us so that you get the chance to meet our staff & our staff get an opportunity to see the children in their own environment. 

Parent/Carers comments:

"My child has so much support for additional needs.  EHCP was put in place as a priority and this has made an amazing difference.  Thankyou Owlets"

"My child really enjoys Owlets preschool, they always come home happy & want to share their experiences"

"When my child comes home covered in paint i know how much fun they have had"

"All Owlets staff are so welcoming & informative; they make time to talk to all the parents at the beginning & end of each session.  I know i am able to contact them for advice or reassurance at any time"

Opening Hours - 8.15 am - 3.00 pm - Mondays - Fridays

Term Time Only

Owlets Preschool rent the school room from the Methodist Chapel, under the terms of our contract, if there is a funeral or a memorial then the preschool has to close.

Owlets Preschool Daily Routine

Lunchtimes

Please provide a healthy lunch box if your child stays for lunch.  Please ensure you inform staff of any allergens/preferences or intolerances.

Ratios

We use the following ratios of adult to child:

• Children aged 2 years of age - 1 adult: 4 children.
• Children aged 3 to 4 years of age - 1 adult: 8 children

Uniform:

Uniform is not statutory, but if you wish to make a purchase

T shirts - £6.75

Sweatshirt - £10.50

Available from preschool.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING:

We offer

30 hours - check your eligibility on Government Website

 We offer up to 15 hours of government funded sessions to eligible 2-year-olds and up to 15 hours of universal government funded sessions to 3 & 4-year-olds.

Funded early learning for 2-year-olds.

If you are the parents/carer of a 2-year-old and receive certain benefits you could be entitled to up to 15 hours (or 5 Pre-School sessions) a week of funded early learning. For more information on financial support for childcare, please visit http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/children/childcare/financial-support/overview.aspx

Funded early learning for 3- and 4-year-olds.

All 3- and 4-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours (or 5 Pre-School sessions) of universal government funded early years education over a 38-week school year.   If your child's third birthday falls between:

• 1 April and 31 August they qualify for funding from 1 September.
• 1 September and 31 December, they qualify for funding from 1 January. 
• 1 January and 31 March, they qualify for funding from 1 April

Entitlement to government funded sessions does not guarantee a place or pattern of sessions.

Funding information – Childcare choices https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Registration Fee - £20.00 to cover administration costs.

Please note our fees are reviewed annually.

At present our hourly session rates are

£5.50 per hour for 3 – 4-year-olds

£6.50 per hour for 2-year-olds (fee paying 2-year-olds can attend Owlets Preschool on their 2^nd birthday)

You are able to choose which hours you require per session, there is no minimum.

Ad-Hoc Sessions

We are often able to be able to offer ad-hoc sessions. Please ask at Pre-School for further information.

Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)

At Owlets Pre-School we have an environment which enables all children to reach their full potential and achieve throughout their learning journey. We are committed to providing additional support when needed, to help all children achieve their goals.

Our Values

Values are principles that drive behaviour, they influence our actions and attitudes and become the framework for living in our communities.

We believe that by demonstrating and modelling positive values through everything that we do, we create a successful and happy learning environment.

In 2011 the government set out the need for British values to be promoted through the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. 

These British values are defined as:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty and mutual respect
• Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

We incorporate these values into our everyday teaching to help all children become compassionate, considerate adults who form part of a fair and equal society.

HEALTHY LIVING

Owlets Preschool promotes Physical Activity and Healthy Eating (PANCo)

As children become increasingly independent, Owlets Preschool supports the importance of children accessing continuous improvements around physical activity and nutrition within the setting.

Children learn the about the effects of physical activity on their bodies as they jump and run.

 By teaching children about personal care, they can learn what happens at a dentist and how to look after their teeth.

We promote why it is important to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before eating.

We talk about how to stay safe in the sunshine and on colder days the children learn why it’s important to wrap up warm.

In our outside area the children learn about food, as they grow their own fruit and vegetables. All children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of activities focussed on healthy eating throughout each term.

Snack and mealtimes are an important part of our day as children have the opportunity to socialise and discuss healthy eating. 

Children attending our sessions are offered a selection of nutritious snacks which meet their specific dietary requirements.  Children are encouraged to be independent in their food choices and to pour themselves water or milk and prepare their own snacks (with adult supervision). 

Water and milk are freely available for children throughout the day.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Children are encouraged to participate in a wide range of energetic physical activities every day.

Our free flow environment gives children the opportunity to dance, climb, jump, throw, ride bikes and skip. 

At Owlets Preschool our PANCo (Physical Activity and Nutrition Coordinator – Michelle Shaw) plans activities/resources and develops strategies to drive change that encourage physical activity and positive nutrition. 

The PANCo Coordinator also encourages families to make healthy choices, is champion of physical and mental wellbeing, motivates staff to become leaders of change and shares best practice within and beyond the workplace.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

Our first responsibility is to keep all children safe. We understand that children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure and it is our aim to maintain the very highest standards of welfare and child protection.

We operate in a culture of honesty and openness, where all staff and trustees take responsibility for keeping children safe.

All employees undertake regular safeguarding training and are fully aware of our safeguarding and child protection policies, including whistle blowing.

Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Joanne Rockall and our Deputy Safeguarding Lead is Michelle Shaw.

.What to do if you are worried about a child

In first instance please speak to either Joanne Rockall or Michelle Shaw within working hours.

If you think a child is in immediate danger - don't delay – call the police on 999 or call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, straight away.

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