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Little Lambs Pre-School Centre |
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Little Lambs Pre-School Centre is a 55 place private
Pre-School operating in a purpose built Early Years Centre in Bethel
Chapel. The centre includes 3 main rooms
and a large outdoor play area, with lawns, paved areas, a soft surface play
area and outdoor classroom.
The setting is on one level with its own private drive
and access to the main entrance can be made via a ramp or steps. The whole building has been designed for
inclusion of all children and parents with any disability.
Children come from the local and wider community and
transfer up to sixteen different local schools.
The setting operates 5 days a week, term times
only. Sessions are from 8.30 until
11.30am and 12.30 until 3.30pm (excluding Friday afternoons when a Parent/Carer
and Toddler group takes place, run by Little Lambs staff). Sessions for younger children who are not
eligible for grant funding remain at 2½ hours and are offered Monday to Thursday
afternoons, 12.30 – 3.00pm.
Twelve full time and part time staff work with the
children. Four staff hold an NNEB
qualification, four hold an NVQ3 qualification in childcare, one staff member
holds an NVQ2 in childcare, one staff member holds a CACHE level 3 Diploma in
Childcare and Education, one staff member is unqualified, supply cover and
support is provided by the church Pastor, who has qualified teacher status.
The staff team has remained constant over the last 17
years and has grown with the needs of the pre-school.
Staff attend regular update training in all areas so
that the Pre-School can maintain it’s high standards and excellent
provision. Staff also have good
knowledge of and contacts with outside agencies, including the Specialist Early
Years Service.
Little Lambs policy has always been to welcome all
children, irrespective of any additional educational or physical care
needs. All children are equally valued,
and as long as we have appropriate facilities and staffing, no child is ever
turned away.
Little Lambs was last inspected by OFSTED in January
2010. See our Ofsted
(Office for Standards in Education) Report by clicking here We are delighted that our Pre-School was judged to be ‘Outstanding’, OFSTED’s highest judgment, in all
areas, and our team of dedicated staff are committed to maintaining this
standard.
We were especially pleased when our Pre-School
achieved the Me2 award for providing a welcoming, safe, suitable and accessible
environment for children with additional needs.
Throughout the year trips and outings are arranged for
the children. A farm trip at lambing
time, a walk in the bluebell woods or to see the autumn leaves and nature in a
park, a shape or number walk looking at features in the local environment, a
trip to an allotment at harvest time or a trip to the zoo, to mention but a
few. Little Lambs also accesses the
expertise of Dudley Music Services and offers “Music Tots” sessions with a
qualified music teacher on a weekly basis.
Little Lambs has a healthy eating policy and a varied
array of healthy drinks and snacks are available daily.
The Nursery staff have very good relationships with
parents and carers and appreciate the help provided by them on varying
occasions. Parents are invited to a
termly Parents’ Evening, to information sessions, Parents as Partners sessions
and to ‘specials’ e.g. Christmas performances, Mother’s Day & Father’s Day
Services, Easter celebrations and fund raising events.
Prospectuses are
available CLICK HERE or upon request from
the office (01384 892137) or via email. If you wish to apply, you can print out the
application form on the last page of the Prospectus and post it to us. The full
policy documents are available to view CLICK HERE. Children applying to join Little Lambs will
be placed on a waiting list and offered a place as soon as a relevant one
becomes available. Prior to starting at
Little Lambs, staff members will make a visit to see the child at home, which
is followed by a return visit to nursery.
Our waiting list is arranged in order of date of birth, taking into
account all other relevant priorities.
In the event of demand for places exceeding room, priority would be
given to
a)
Relevant
looked after children
b)
Children
with a brother or sister already in the Pre-School
c)
Children
of families who can demonstrate a close commitment to Bethel Chapel, Wollescote
d)
Children
of families who can demonstrate a close commitment to a
recognised Christian Church
e)
Children
of families committed to the practice of the Christian religion
f)
Children
of families committed to the practice of other religions who would like their
children educated at a Christian Pre-School
The main aim of Little Lambs Pre-School Centre is to
provide “purposeful play for little people”, offering a happy, secure and
stimulating environment in which a child can develop to his or her full
potential, and in which their parents can feel relaxed and confident, with
every aspect of care channelled to the needs of the child.
We believe children are a gift from God, and we count
it a privilege to look after the children whose parents choose Little Lambs for
their child’s Pre-School education.
If you would like to know more about Little Lambs,
please feel free to contact us.
