History of our Pre-School
Sydling Springs Pre-School has been running for over 30 years and caters for children from the village and surrounding area. The pre-school runs in the recently refurbished village hall, which is a bright and spacious area enabling us to combine quiet areas such as the book corner with exploratory play areas and a messy art area. We also have a large grassy play area outdoors which is used as often as weather permits. We have links with Cerne Abbas and Charminster schools, the curriculum and stepping stones to early year goals begin here and continue at the schools.
Sydling Springs Pre-School is a member of the ‘Pre-School Learning Alliance’. We are registered with Ofsted and had a very positive inspection in November 2010.
We have a high ratio of staff to children in our group – usually 1:6 with a maximum of 1:8. The maximum number of children in the pre-school is 20.
Preschool Committee
The preschool is run as a charity whose trustees are the committee. The committee act as the managers of the preschool dealing with finances, personnel, and other administration tasks.
The committee is made up of parents of children currently in preschool (this is not a requirement, its just the way things tend to go) and we give our time for free. As most children are only at preschool for a couple of years we are always on the lookout for new faces to get involved.
It is not a big time commitment, but it is a big resposibility and rewarding to know you have done you bit to hand on the preschool to the next generation.
Our Staff
Sam Mercer
Pre-school Leader
Experience working with children
Parent helper at Sydling Springs Pre-school – 1999 – 2003
Childminder 2001 – 2005 – Pre-school assistant : 2004 – present
Pre-school assistant at Charminster Playgroup 2003 – 2004
Pre-school Leader at Sydling Springs Pre-school: 2004 – present
Training / Qualifications
EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONAL STATUS – feb 2011
BA ( HONS) Early Years CAre and Education – July 2010
City & Guilds NVQ3 Early Years Childcare & Education Dec 04
CACHE Working with children with SEN unit of level 3 in DPP Aug 05
CACHE Certificate in Childminding Practice Level 3
Child Protection, Behaviour Management,SENCO, Music course
Future Training
Lisa Hammett
Pre-school assistant
Experience working with children
Parent helper at Sydling Springs Pre-school 2004 – 2005
Pre-school assistant at Sydling Springs Pre-school: 2004 – present
Training
Child Protection 2004
NVQ2 Pre-school Assistant (near completion)
Introduction to the Foundation Stage 2005
Practical Inclusion 2005
Future Training
Special Educational Needs 2006
Behaviour Management 2006
Other relevant information
Exam Invigilator