Starting at St Bridget's Pre-school

When to start?

Children are eligible to start our pre-school in the September prior to their admission to primary school. We offer sessions Monday to Friday during term time and pride ourselves on 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 accept government-funded childcare for eligible working parents, offering up to 30 hours per week during term-time at our preschool.

The pre-school day

The day runs from 08:30 until 16:00 (except Friday, which ends at 15:30) and includes lunch. Children are served a hot lunch and supervised in the primary school hall, helping them familiarise themselves with school routines ahead of September.

Note: Because lunches are provided by the primary school, lunch money is payable separately to Wirral Council.

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

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

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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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.

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.

Fees

Fees are to be paid by the date on the bill. We accept childcare 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: £2 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

If you need to withdraw your child's place, please provide written notice by letter or by email to stbridgetspreschool@btinternet.com. We will acknowledge all written notices in writing within 10 working days.

Before your child starts

Requires two months' written notice. (For example, if your child is due to start on 1st September, notice must be given on or before 1st July).‍
If notice is given on time, your deposit is forfeited, but no further fees are payable.
If notice is not given, two months' fees in lieu of notice will be payable as a debt.

After your child starts

Requires half a term’s written notice.
If notice is given on time, no further fees are payable beyond that term.
If notice is not given, half a term's fees in lieu of notice will be payable as a debt.

Fees owed in lieu of notice are charged at the rate applicable for the term when your child was due to start, and your deposit will be credited toward what is owed.