Cold Ash Pre-school

Last updated: 14/11/2023

We are a pack-away pre-school in Cold Ash which operates from the Acland Memorial Hall. We run sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-2:45 and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15-1:30. There are 26 places in each session.

At Cold Ash Pre-school, we commit to ensuring each child is safe, secure and at the heart of everything we do.
Our goals are for every child to:
*Enjoy pre-school
*Make the best possible progress with us
*Grow to love learning, making friends and taking part
*Be ready for school upon leaving

Our vision for learning:

A child's wellbeing is crucial to their ability to learn, and is at the heart of our provision. We also aim to promote the qualities of creativity, resilience and the willingness to have a go in order for children to maximise their learning potential.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Lucy Sandel
Contact Position
Pre-school Leader
Telephone
07778 442489
E-mail
admin@coldashpreschool.org.uk
Website
https://www.coldashpreschool.org.uk/
Notes

Please note that admin hours are term time only, Monday-Wednesday, 9.30am-12.30pm.

Where to go

Name
Cold Ash Pre-school
Address
Acland Memorial Hall
Hermitage Road
Cold Ash
Thatcham
Berkshire
Postcode
RG18 9JH

Other Details

Costs

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£50 Registration fee
£5.50 per hour
£40 per term
Details
£5.50 per hour (or part thereof) from September 2023

Inclusion Information

Dietary Needs

Has Provision
No

Childcare Information

Vacancies

Immediate vacancies
Date updated
14/11/2023
Vacancy range(s)
Vacancy range(s)
PlacesStart AgeEnd Age
0

Funded Places

3 & 4 year old funding
2 year old funding

30 Hours Extended Entitlements

Are you intending to provide 30 Hours?
Yes
Are you registered to provide 30 Hours?
Yes
30 Hour Partner Summary
N/A

Waiting List

Do you have a waiting list?
Yes

Opening Times & Facilities

Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 09:15 14:45
Tuesday 09:15 14:45
Wednesday 09:15 13:30
Thursday 09:15 14:45
Friday 09:15 13:30

School Pickups

Offers pickups

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
EY560354
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 
Inspection history
Inspection History
Inspection DateInspection typeInspection Outcome
12/07/2019Inspection (Early Years Register)Outstanding

Local Offer

Description

We are a pack-away pre-school in Cold Ash which operates from the Acland Memorial Hall. We run sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-2:45 and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15-1:30. There are 26 places in each session.

At Cold Ash Pre-school, we commit to ensuring each child is safe, secure and at the heart of everything we do.
Our goals are for every child to:
*Enjoy pre-school
*Make the best possible progress with us
*Grow to love learning, making friends and taking part
*Be ready for school upon leaving

Our vision for learning:

A child's wellbeing is crucial to their ability to learn, and is at the heart of our provision. We also aim to promote the qualities of creativity, resilience and the willingness to have a go in order for children to maximise their learning potential.

Contact Name
Clare Wormald
Contact Telephone
07780 664454
Contact Email
admin@coldashpreschool.org.uk
SEN Provision Type
Medical, Specific Literacy Difficulties, Speech & Language Difficulties, Behavioural, Emotional & Social Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Physical Disability, Hearing Impairment, Moderate Learning Difficulties, Visual Impairment
Local Offer Age Bands
1 to 4
Needs Level
Low

Early Years Private, Voluntary & Independent Settings

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

Children who already have support from external agencies will be identified to us by those agencies and by parents. In other cases, if parents or staff are concerned about a child ability to access the opportunities at pre-school, we will work together to establish whether they may benefit from further support in line with our SEN policy and the SEND Code of Practice.

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

We will meet with parents to discuss their child's possible needs or SEND, seek permission to make a referral to CYPIT if necessary, and work together to create and review Support and Achievement Play Plans which detail targets for the child and ways in which we can help to achieve them

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

Depending on the needs of the child, we will establish the best course of action to adapt the EYFS.

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

We have a routine that children are used to, and we prepare children for any changes to routines accordingly. We can use visual timetables if it is beneficial and tailor group work sessions to those children who need extra support. We plan differentiated group work in order for all children be able to access learning at their own level. We are able to incorporate basic Makaton into our group and carpet sessions. The majority of the time at CAPS is dedicated to free choice and independent learning. Staff work to develop children's abilities and understanding through play, careful questioning and mentoring, moving children on at their own pace. In this way, every child's needs are catered for.

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

For those children with additional needs or SEND, we work with parents and external agencies to establish the best ways in which the pre-school can help the child. We write SAPPs to set targets for children to achieve with the support of pre-school staff. SAPPs are regularly reviewed and updated to monitor progress and keep up to date with the child's development. Depending on the type of need, we may seek additional funding which we would use to pay for extra staff in order to be able to devote more time to care for the child.

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

SAPPs will be reviewed and updated to record a child's progress in relation to their identified needs. Every child's progress is tracked through our online Learning Journey system. Any concerns will be shared with parents. Every child has a learning journey which is compiled by the child's key worker. Parents are strongly encouraged to contribute regularly to their child's Learning Journey which can be accessed online at any time. In addition to this, twice yearly formal meetings and regular informal contact ensure that parents are involved in the monitoring of their child's progress.

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

We plan our curriculum and extra activities carefully, always giving consideration to how children with additional needs or SEND can take part. If a particular activity poses a challenge for any child we will consult with parents and carers on the best ways to include them. For any visitors to the setting who may be delivering specific learning opportunities e.g. music, dance and drama sessions, we inform them of the needs of our children so that they can tailor their planned sessions accordingly. For trips out we will work with the family to ensure that the child can take part, whether it be with extra staff support or/and parents and carers coming along.

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

The Acland Hall is constructed on one level with gentle ramps leading to the entrances. The hall is a large open space which allows for easy travelling. There is a disabled toilet and we can provide toilet seats, steps and nappy changing as necessary. There are two slightly raised thresholds, the first in the doorway leading from the hall to the back corridor which we use to get to the garden, and the second at the back door. Wheelchair users may need a little help to get over these. Our garden area is largely covered in rubber chippings. This is great for soft landings for children when they take a tumble but it is not easy to negotiate in a wheelchair. In order to be able to enjoy the space, wheelchair users may need to consider using a chair designed for rougher terrain.

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

Once we know which school or setting your child will be attending we will offer visits for the staff to visit your child at pre-school. The Pre-school Leader, SENCo and the child's Key worker will offer verbal and/or written advice to the new setting regarding the education and care of your child. If desired we can also arrange a visit to the new setting for the family and key worker together. We will provide a written Transition Report to parents which can be shared with the new setting as well as sending on the child's Learning Journey.

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

Our SEN policy is reviewed annually. Before the review we welcome feedback from parents through an annual survey where specific comments about the children's and parents experiences of the pre-school are encouraged. We respond to any negative comments detailing what we will do to address any issues raised. We are open to any feedback at any time and will ask for ideas from parents during SAPP review meetings on ways to improve our SEN provision.

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

Please contact our administrator on 07780 664454 (working hours Monday - Wednesday 9.30am-12.30pm), term time only.

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

Parents/carers can speak to any member of staff at any time to give feedback, whether it be at drop-off and pick-up or at a meeting which we are happy to arrange. In addition to face-to-face contact, the Administrator and Leader can be contacted by telephone and they and Chair of the committee can all be contacted by email. If parents wish to give written feedback this can be delivered to the pre-school's post-box. As mentioned above, we also conduct an annual survey to get feedback from parents and carers.

Quality checks

  • DBS check

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