Starting at St Bridget's Pre-school

When to start?

Children are eligible to start our Pre-School in the September the year prior to their admission to primary school.

We will endeavour to find a place for your child, but this will sometimes depend on availability due to the children already enrolled.

We offer sessions Monday to Friday during school term time, and pride ourselves in being flexible for families where possible.

Flexibility

All three & four year old children are entitled to 15 hours per week, state-funded. The 15 hours can be flexible, used over a minimum of two days. They must be used as whole days, not half-days. Of course, if you'd like your child to do more than the state-funded 15 hours, or want them to start before they're eligible for them, then our fees are shown below. We have "30 hours" places available, please talk to us if you would like more information.

The pre-school day

The day runs from 08:30 until 16:00 and includes lunch. Children will be served with a hot dinner and supervised in the primary school hall, where they can familiarise themselves with the school routines and prepare for the transition in the following September.

As the lunch is provided in the primary school, lunch monies are payable separately to Wirral Council.

St Bridget's Pre-school has been awarded "Healthy Eating" status.

Fees

Fees are to be paid by the date on the bill. We accept child care vouchers, just give us the details.

Registration fee: £50. For all new starters, non-refundable
Deposit: £50. This will be deducted from your first term's fees
Hourly fee: £6.50 per hour
Sundries: £1.50 per day. We charge for sundries which are above and beyond the Early Years statutory requirements, which all children benefit from.
Activities are charged at £25 each per half-term

Withdrawing your Acceptance of a Place

Notice to withdraw your acceptance of a place
If you wish to withdraw your acceptance of a place BEFORE your child starts at the Pre-School, you must either give us two months' written notice to that effect or pay to the Pre-School two months' fees in lieu of notice. If your child has ALREADY STARTED at pre-school you must give us half a term’s notice. This may be sent by letter, or by email to stbridgetspreschool@btinternet.com

For example, if your child is due to start at School on 1st September, you would need to tell us in writing that you wish to withdraw your acceptance of their place on or before 1st July (the start of the two-month notice period) or pay the fees in lieu referred to above. Upon receiving your notice of withdrawal, we will acknowledge it in writing within ten working days. If you have not received this acknowledgement, please contact us to confirm receipt of your notice.

If we receive notice
If you provide written notice as specified above, you will forfeit the deposit but no further fees will be payable.

If we do not receive that period of notice
If you do not provide us with written notice before the required deadline, or if no notice is provided at all, either two months' fees (if your child has not yet started) or half a term’s fees (if your child has started) will be payable by you. These fees will become due and owing to the Pre-School upon demand as a debt. The fees will be charged at the rate applicable for the Term when your child was due to start. The Pre-School will credit the deposit you have paid (without interest) toward the payment of the fees you owe us.

Uniform

Yellow polo shirts, royal blue sweatshirts and useful pump bags are available to purchase through our online shop, and can then be collected from the Pre-school.

Starting

Parents/carers and children are encouraged to visit us before their starting date, to familiarise themselves with the staff, children and surroundings.

St Bridget’s Pre-school is a fun place to be, a place where your child will gain valuable independence as our friendly experienced staff endeavour to make the transition from ‘Home to Pre-School to Big School’, as easy for you and your child as we possibly can.

Settling in

If your child does not settle, parents are advised to return and stay, or alternatively come back for the next session and leave the child for a set time, and gradually increase that time over a number of weeks, until the full session time is reached.

Parents/carers of unsettled children are advised to pick up their child a few minutes early.

We try the following techniques to help your child settle:

Reading a story
Offering a choice of activity
Helping with a special task
Painting a picture for the family
Introducing them to other children

Please contact us to arrange a visit.

Early Years Foundation Stages

Each child's developmental progress is observed, with different members of staff looking after the various components of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is recorded on the Tapestry web portal for you to view securely online.

St Bridget’s Pre-school adheres to the Foundation Stage Curriculum and works closely with the reception teachers in St Bridget’s Primary School.

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