Little Lambs Pre-School Centre

Little Lambs is a 55 place Pre-School Centre, part of Bethel Chapel, Hill Street, Wollescote, Stourbridge. Little Lambs first opened in 1991 functioning in an ex-World War 1 army hut on the same site but now operates in a purpose-built, Early Years, nursery building which is only five years old.

The Pre-School opens on a sessional basis, school term time only, Monday to Friday mornings from 9.00 am – 11.30 am and Monday to Thursday afternoons from 12.30pm – 3.00pm. Children attend from the age of two and a half years and stay with us until they move on to school. The younger children at Little Lambs attend the afternoon sessions and then move to morning sessions usually for three terms before they leave to enter school.

Little Lambs is registered with OFSTED and is subject to their stringent inspection processes. For children over the age of three attending the Pre-School, fees are funded through the government’s Nursery Education Grant. For any children attending before this age, parents are required to pay a fixed fee per session. Little Lambs works closely with the local schools, and the children’s progress and achievements are recorded on a local authority Foundation Stage Educational Profile which is passed on to the child’s school, and continues to be filled in during the Reception year by the class teacher. In addition, pictures, ‘work’ and photographs are put into a personal progress folder and are given to the child when they leave.

Little Lambs was last inspected by OFSTED in March 2007. 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 that standard.

Ten members of staff work at Little Lambs and all hold relevant child care qualifications. They have many, many years of experience between them and all are very enthusiastic, caring and focused on delivering the very best possible Pre-School education and experiences for the children. Staff attend regular update training in all areas so that the Pre-School can maintain its 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.

We were especially pleased when our Pre-School recently achieved the Me2 award for providing a welcoming, safe, suitable and accessible environment for children with additional needs.

Little Lambs is extremely well resourced with toys and equipment etc. It also has an extensive outdoor play area which is equally well equipped so that the entire indoor curriculum can also be accessed outdoors.

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. Sports Day, parties, trips etc. Parents are invited to a termly Parents’ Evening, to information sessions and to ‘specials’ e.g. Christmas performances, Mother’s Day Services, Easter celebrations etc.

Prospectuses are available upon request from the office (01384 892137) or via email and full policy documents are available to view. 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. Priority may be given to children on our waiting list who are not currently accessing nursery education provision at another setting.

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 channeled 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.

Many thanks to the Naturesave Trust for their kind donation towards gardening equipment for our Little Lambs to use.