Alder Bridge Kindergarten

Last updated: 31/01/2022

The kindergarten is the pre-school groups for Alder Bridge Steiner Waldorf School located in Padworth. The curriculum followed by the school and the kindergartens is informed by the pedagogical philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. The kindergarten has been granted exemptions or modifications from certain aspects of the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, and Understanding the World, as well as from completing the EYFS Profile. The kindergarten can offer a total of 16 places per day for children aged 3-6 years. They have a large grassed outdoor area, with vegetable gardens, playhouses, mud pit, sandpit and slide. Indoors there is a playroom which includes activity tables.

Who to contact

Contact Name: Lucia Dimarco
Contact Position: School Leader
Telephone: 01189714471
E-mail: office@alderbridge.org.uk
Website: Alder Bridge School - Kindergarten

Where to go

Name: Alder Bridge School
Address: Bridge House
Mill Lane
Padworth
Reading
Berkshire
Postcode: RG7 4JU

Other Details

Costs

Table of costs

Table of costs
Amount	Cost Type
1301 (with free entitlement)	per term
2950(without free entitlement)	per term

Inclusion Information

Dietary Needs

Has Provision: Yes
Experience with: Yes
Details: Can offer organic, wheat-free, vegetarian and vegan if required.

Childcare Information

Vacancies

Immediate vacancies

Details

Vacancies for under 5s : 1 Vacancies for 5s & over : 4

Date updated

31/01/2022

Vacancy range(s)

Vacancy range(s)
Places	Start Age	End Age
10	3	5
10	5	7

Funded Places

3 & 4 year old funding
2 year old funding

30 Hours Extended Entitlements

Are you intending to provide 30 Hours?: No
Are you registered to provide 30 Hours?: No

Waiting List

Do you have a waiting list?: No

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times

Opening Times
Day	Opening Time	Closing Time
Monday	09:00	15:30
Tuesday	09:00	15:30
Wednesday	09:00	15:30
Thursday	09:00	15:30
Friday	09:00	13:15

School Pickups

Offers pickups

Local Offer

Description: The Kindergarten is the pre-school group for the Alder Bridge Steiner Waldorf School located in Padworth. The school and the Kindergarten follow the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner and the curriculum developed from this. The Kindergarten has been granted exemptions or modifications from certain aspects of the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) learning and development requirements in the areas of Literacy, Numeracy, and Understanding the World, as well as from completing the EYFS Profile. The Kindergarten can offer 24 places per day, for children aged 3-6 years. It has a large grassed outdoor area, with vegetable gardens, playhouses, mudpit, and slide. Indoors there is a playroom which includes activity tables.
Contact Name: Samantha Jerome
Contact Telephone: 0118-971-4471
Contact Email: office@alderbridge.org.uk
SEN Provision Type: Moderate Learning Difficulties
Local Offer Age Bands: 1 to 4
5 to 7

Early Years Private, Voluntary & Independent Settings

1: How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND?

If a parent or member of staff has a concern that a child has additional needs this concern is taken to the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). After discussion with parents and appropriate members of staff a decision is made on seeking external professional advice and on planning supportive action in the kindergarten.

2: How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?

Parents will be involved from the beginning when a concern is raised. When the decision is made that a child needs additional support parents will be consulted about any proposed IPP (Individual Play Plan) and will also be invited to contribute at review meetings of the IPP. Teacher and/or SENCo will also communicate to parents at other times verbally (meeting or telephone) and in writing.

3: How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs?

The kindergartens do not follow the general pattern of the EYFS curriculum and follow their own curriculum instead. If necessary, curriculum activities would be adjusted as far as reasonably possible to enable a child to participate as fully as they are able, and children would also be supported in play.

4: What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties?

The SENCo and other staff members endeavour to adapt the regular routine and activities of the kindergartens so that all children can be included as far as possible, and to give extra support to children where needed. For example, where support is needed with communication the setting will endeavour to facilitate the use of enabling strategies (eg photo books) and to provide staff with the necessary skills.

5: What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND?

Additional needs and specific support is assessed prior to admission. Where practical every effort is made to accommodate the needs of the child. Regular assessments are made to ensure that a child's needs can continue to be met.

6: How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this?

A child will be regularly observed and these observations plus the regular review of a child’s IPP will be shared with parents.

7: How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips?

The kindergartens follow their own curriculum and this will be adjusted as far as reasonably possible to enable every child to participate as fully as they are able: for example movements in the ringtime can be organised to have more ‘sitting’ songs to enable a child with mobility challenges to participate more fully. Also children are welcome to use their own pushchairs or our special wagon when we go on our weekly walk.

8: How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users?

Both rooms are on the ground floor. Wheelchair access is possible. .

9: How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school?

Relevant reports will be shared with staff at a new setting, and staff at the new setting are invited to meet / observe the child in the kindergarten and to meet with the SENCo and other staff members.

10: How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation?

Parents are invited to participate in regular reviews with the Kindergarten Teacher and SENCo.

11: Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting?

Contact the Admissions Co-Ordinator on 0118 971 4471 or admissions@alderbridge.org.uk

12: What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints?

Parents are advised to address any comments or concerns to the Kindergarten Teacher in the first instance, or the School Leader if issues are unresolved. The Concerns and Complaints procedure is available on our website or from the school office.

Quality checks

DBS check