Join Our Pre-school
We know starting Pre-School is a big step in every child’s (and parent’s) life, and finding the right place for your child is a big decision. We love visitors and encourage everyone applying to us to come and have a look around.
Pre-School Hours
Monday to Friday
AM session 9am-12 noon (can be extended to 1pm to include staying with everyone to enjoy their packed lunches)
PM session 12 noon – 3pm
Mondays are for our Rising 4’s only (those starting school the following September). From Tuesday – Friday we accept children from 2 years and 6 months or 2 years where accessing the “Better Together” two year old funding.
We also offer wrap around sessions with our Rise and Shine Breakfast Club and After School Club. These sessions are open to everyone, not just those who are, or have been at the Pre-School. PreSchool children are able to access our wrap around care service from the term they turn 3.
There Are Just 2 Steps to Join Us:
1. Take a Look
Come and have a look around, call us on 01672 520 901 to arrange a visit.
2. Join the Waiting List
Once you have made a decision we recommend adding your child to our waiting list as early as possible. Simply complete our placeholder form and pay a place holder fee of £100 (£85 of which is refunded on completion of your first full term). We do not wish to exclude any child and therefore if you feel unable to pay the place holder fee please write to the Chair of the Management Committee on Chair@ramsburypreschool.org.uk in complete confidence.
For more details please contact our Office Manager on: bursar@ramsburypreschool.org.uk or 01672 520901
My daughter is blossoming under the care of this Pre-School, her confidence has grown and so has her independence. She is generally happy and secure within the setting and loves all the outings to visit local people and places.
Funding
For parents that require it, Wiltshire County Council provide free, part-time, education places for all two, three and four year olds. Free education comprises up to five or ten 3 hour sessions per week (i.e. 15 or 30 hours) depending on eligibility, for up to thirty eight weeks of the year. Parents do not contribute towards this minimum entitlement but are charged for any hours incurred over and above the free entitlement.
Eligibility for funding
Children are currently eligible for 15 hours of funding from two years old where parents are both working and meet the eligibility criteria.
From 3 years old all children receive 15 hours of funding towards their early education. This can be increased to 30 hours where parents meet the eligibility criteria.
Please see Wiltshire Early Years Funding for more information.
Payments
Each term, the Pre-School receives funding for eligible children. Parents receive a monthly invoice for any supplementary fees.
We also accept payments through childcare vouchers and the Government tax-free childcare scheme.
Fees
Fees for extra hours and/or children not eligible for funding.
- 2yrs £30.00 per 3hr session
- 3yrs+ £27.00 per 3hr session
Children 3 years old and over are required to do a minimum of 5 sessions per week with us (15 hours) and children under 3, a minimum of 3 sessions. We do not allow children to only do mornings.
Extras
Additional fees
- We supply a healthy snack for the morning session – £2.00 per morning attended
- Extra curricular activities fee – £15 per week for all children in receipt of Government Funding
- Breakfast Club – £9/£10 hr depending on age of child
-
After School Club – £9/£10 hr (age dependent) plus £3.50 fo the cooked tea.
Funding cannot be used against our wrap around care services (ie Breakfast and After School Club).
Snack fees are voluntary. Where parents do not wish to pay snack fees children will still be entitled to a glass of milk under the Government Early Years milk scheme.
Extra curricular activity fee is voluntary. You need to let us know up front if you do not wish to pay this fee. Children will still access the standard Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum but will not participate in any additional activities performed across the week (for example the outdoor classroom, woodwork, cooking).
All fees are payable on invoice issued monthly in arrears.
Getting Settled
Each child approaches change differently and we want to make the settling in process as gentle and easy as possible.
We have two intakes per year – September and January.
Every child receives a personalised transition plan to support them joining the Preschool, as well as a “Get to know our preschool” brochure than can be read with their carer. Prior to your child starting with us we hold an inducation evening for parents. This evening covers everything you need to know about starting with us and provides an excellent opportunity to meet other parents.
On your child’s first day you will have a chance to meet with your child’s key worker whilst you complete our “All about me” form so that we can gain an understanding of your child from the outset. From day two children build up to their normal hours. Our transition process is always done at the child’s pace and we will work with you as a parent to achieve that.
FAQs
When can my child start at Ramsbury Pre-School?
Children can join from when they are 2 years and 6 months old.
If you are entitled to the 2 year old “Better together” funding please speak to us about how we can help you.
We have two intakes per year – one in September and one in January. Out of cycle admissions are considered so please contact us to discuss.
How many sessions a week does my child need to attend?
For children under 3 we require a minimum of 3 sessions per week (9 hours) unless you are claiming the Two Year Old Working Parent 15 hours of funding in which case you must attend for your full 15 hours.
Once your child becomes a Rising 4 you are required to do a minimum of 5 sessions per week (15 hours) with us.
We do not allow children to do all mornings. A maximum of 2 mornings can be signed up for before then adding in an afternoon or increasing one day to a full day. This applies regardless of the child’s age. There is always an opportunity to increase your sessions as time progresses subject to availability.
Sessions can only be decreased at the start of each term,
When will I hear if we have a place?
We will inform you if you are able to have a place at the time you enrol your child using our placeholder form. To secure your place you will need to pay the £100 placeholder, £85 of which is returned on completion of your first full term. Just prior to starting we will require you to sign your formal PreSchool contract.
My child is entitled to 15 / 30 hours a week childcare - do I have to pay anything?
Funding covers core PreSchool hours only. Any wrap around care hours incurred and the evening meal supplied need to be paid for separately. If you attend PreSchool for more hours than your funding you are liable to pay for the additional hours privately, as per our fee schedule.
We supply a healthy snack for the morning session at a charge of £2 per morning attended. Snack fees are voluntary. If you do not wish to pay for snack then your child will still be entitled to a glass of milk daily under the Government Milk Scheme.
Activities such as Outdoor learning, Cooking and Tennis incurr additional charges. These are currently £15 per week. This charge is optional and you can tell us you do not wish your child to participate in any of our extra curricular activities performed.
Can I use my free 15 / 30 hours entitlement for breakfast / after school clubs?
The Government funding covers core preschool hours only. Any wrap around care hours are billed separately at our prevailing rates as per the fee schedule above. trishp@ramsburypreschool.org.uk
How do I access my funding entitlement?
Government funding is provided three times per year (1st September, 1st January and 1st April). Depending on eligibility you can access funding from 2 years old. Eligibility codes can be applied for through HMRC.
The PreSchool will complete the funding return for you, showing the hours you intend to claim per week for that term and have you sign it, prior to submission. It is the parents responsibility to inform us if they are in receipt of an extended funding eligibility code. Funded hours cannot be altered once submitted until the next funding window opens. Where parents uncurr hours over and above their funding they are liable for payment of those hours.
Do you provide meals?
At Preschool we do not provide lunch. Children bring their own packed lunches into preschool to be eaten with everyone. Please see our lunchtime tab under the parents section for packed lunch ideas.
In our wrap-around care service we provide breakfast for those children attending breakfast club and a home cooked meal for any child staying beyond 4pm (at an additional charge of £3.50).