Parent Information & Fees

Fees

Fees are calculated in the following way:

Hourly rate x hours attended each day x number of days attended each week x 49 weeks per year / 12 months

We do not charge for our holiday time(usually two weeks per year) and between Christmas and New Year when we are closed. Bank Holidays, your holidays and illnesses are still payable at the normal rate.

Additional hours will be charged and invoiced as extra. See our terms and condition for further information which can be found in our policies section.

We accept Childcare Vouchers

All children are entitled to at least 15 hours of free child care from the term after they turn 3.

Please click on the following links for more details:

Childcare Choices

Surrey County Council Funded Early Education and Childcare

What to bring

  • Slippers
  • Wellies
  • Warm coat for winter
  • Rain coat in the summer
  • Change of clothes suitable for the weather conditions
  • Nappies and wipes if your child still uses them
  • Formula milk and bottles
  • Sun hat / sun cream in the warmer weather
  • A healthy lunch containing no nuts

What we provide

  • Breakfast before 8am
  • Healthy nutritionally balanced snacks
  • Milk or Water
  • Fully cooked dinner
  • A happy environment for your child to flourish

 Learning through the EYFS

The EYFS is a mandatory framework set out by the government which we follow. It sets the standards that Early Years Providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop, and are kept healthy and safe.

This is a framework where we will work closely with the parents to support their child’s learning.

The Montessori approach is very similar to the EYFS; working closely with the child through observations to help the child develop in a holistic way. Independence in a relaxed environment is key for a child’s personal development.

There are seven areas of learning and development split into:

Prime Areas

These are the foundations and most important areas that children must build on to enable them to learn, become independent and thrive.
  • Communication and language
  • Physical development
  • Personal, social and emotional development

Specific Areas

These complement the prime areas and help to further develop learning.
 
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding of the world
  • Expressive arts and design

The layout of the room and well organised equipment encourages child led learning across all areas of the EYFS

Each week we will observe and plan for each individual child, carefully considering the child’s interests and abilities to promote their development and enhance their learning. We understand that children develop at their own rates and have different styles of learning.

For further information on EYFS click the links below:

Early Years Foundation Stage

What to expect in EYFS

 

Home Learning

You are the most important person in your child’s life and you know your child best. We will gather information from you to gage where your child is at developmentally. We also know that working in partnership with parents and families provides extended opportunities for children to practice the skills they have learnt with us. Each week we will tell you what we have planned for your child and give suggestions on how you can help your child at home.

Where a child or family has English as an additional language we will provide opportunities to develop their home language in addition to learning the English. It is expected that children should have a good standard of English during the EYFS in readiness for school. 

Montessori Philosophy

Maria Montessori  was an Italian physician and educator, she developed the Montessori methods of teaching. The Montessori approach is based on the idea that children learn best when the environment supports their natural desire to develop skill and make creative choices. Its a hands on approach where the activities on offer are appropriate to help them achieve the best they can. In a Montessori environment the children work independently, moving from one activity to the next. We encourage them to put their activity back before starting a new activity. Its amazing how long a young child can concentrate when they are absorbed in an activity.

Observing the children is a key part of the Montessori curriculum. By observing the children we can meet their individual needs and provide materials that will encourage their development. Children work at their own pace, exploring the world around them.

The environment will encourage children to explore and solve problems independently,  vertical grouping is a key part of the Montessori environment where older children can help the younger children and also the younger children can learn so much from the older ones.

The environment is designed for the children to become independent, the materials are child sized, all equipment is laid out in an orderly fashion on low shelves that are easily accessible for the children. This also encourages the children to take care of the equipment.

The Montessori curriculum has four main areas which like the EYFS interlink with each other:

Practical life is a great area to introduce to the younger children. It  gives children the opportunity to practice the skills of everyday life but also helps them to develop concentration and co ordination of mind and body. Some examples:

·       Pouring from one jug to another

·       Laying a table

·       Sorting boxes

 

The sensorial equipment encourages the children to use their senses to learn. These activities help children to order and classify the physical properties of the world in which they live in.

Some examples:

·       Fabric basket

·       Pink tower

·       Sandpaper numbers

The Maths materials are a really great way for children to learn the mathematical concept through hands on concrete materials. In many of the Montessori materials the children are learning skills without even realising.

Some examples:

·       Cards and counters

·       Red rods

·       Spindle box 

         Language and Literacy is used in all activities throughout the environment, books, story time, story sacks.

The skills for writing are developed from early on activities without the children even realising it.  Some examples:

·       Sand tray

·      Selection of book

·       Sandpaper letters

         Geography, history, art and music are covered with a hands on approach that is based on the fact  that children learn most effectively from their own experiences.

Some examples:

·       Mini beast box

·       Life cycle of a butterfly

·       Land, air, water jars

The most important thing to remember is that the children are having fun and choosing activities that interest them at that given time.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation Stage please click the following link 

Guide to the early years foundation stage in Montessori settings