Welcome to our Website
Sydling Springs Preschool is a small community run preschool that caters for children from Sydling St Nicholas, Cerne Abbas and surrounding villages. We run as a volunteer led charity with aim of providing the best care and environment for our children to grow up in.
Sydling Springs Preschool is situated in Sydling St Nicholas village hall.
We cater for children from 2 years to school age in the preschool which is open 9:30 – 2:30 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.
Sessions are 9:30 – 12:00 and 12:00 – 2:30 with the option for lunch club 12:00 – 1:00.
Fees are as follows ( from September 2011)
| Session | Cost | Duration |
| Morning | £9.75 | 2.5 hours (9.30am to 12pm) |
| Afternoon | £9.00 | 2.5 hours (12-2.30pm) |
| Full Day | £18.75 | 5 hours (9.30am – 12.30pm) |
| Lunch club (on top of morning session) | £4.00 | 1 hour (12-1pm) |
Fee are charged per half term in advance.
All Children aged over 3 are eligable for 15 hours ‘free’ funded Nursery Education Grant per week, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Preschooldevelopmentandlearning/NurseriesPlaygroupsReceptionClasses/DG_10016103 other funding may may available through the Childcare element of the Working families Tax Credit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/Gettingstarted/whoqualifies/Childrenandtaxcredits/index.htm
Our latest Ofsted report from November 2010 rated us as good in all areas. You can read the full report on the Ofsted site. Sydling Springs Preschool Ofsted Report. Some highlights from the report are:
- Children are very much welcomed and their individuality valued at this friendly pre-school, where they respond easily to the calm, reassuring approach given by staff.
- Children are provided with a range of motivating play experiences, which support them in making good progress overall in their learning and development.
- Staff have completed safeguarding training and related policies and procedures are being reviewed and updated by the new committee.
- Clear systems to help evaluate the provision are in place. For example, a development plan has been formed and is regularly reviewed, which helps support the monitoring of most areas identified for improvement.
- Each child is recognised as an individual and this is reflected in the excellent settling in procedures they follow, which enables children to settle at their own pace and gives clear reassurance to parents in the care offered.
- Free flow play is provided and children benefit from being out in the fresh air where they have great fun riding their bikes, swinging on the rope swing or taking their “babies” out in their buggies. They like to dig and explore in the mud area, where they discover some “wiggly worms”. They talk about the “thin” and “fat” worms they find and watch how they move across and into the earth. This helps children develop their knowledge and understanding of their natural world and their imaginative, physical and communication skills.
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Tadpoles toddler group meets at Sydling St Nicholas village hall and is suitable for children from birth until school age. All children must be accompied by an adult. Once a fortnight a member of staff from the preschool is on hand to offer play opportunties for the children as well as being on hand to answer any questions you have on your childs learning and development.
Toddler group meets 10:00 – 12:00 Weds.
Fees £1.50 for first child, 50p per additional child. No need to book, just turn up. ( term time only)