Transition to School
We endeavour to ensure that the transition for your child to the next stage of their education is as smooth as possible. Apple Orchard is part of Herne View Church of England Primary School. Most of our children transfer to our Primary School. We have excellent relationships with the teachers in the school. The teachers work closely with us to ensure that the curriculum especially in Literacy is a big part of your child’s learning.The children make visits to ‘big school’ during the Summer Term. The Head Teacher, the Reception teachers and Teaching Assistants also come to visit us at Pre-School. For children who move on to other schools, which are further afield, we will work with staff at these schools to ensure that they are well informed about the child
Safeguarding and Promoting Children’s Welfare
As a Safeguarding setting, the Pre-Schools are committed to ensuring that all the children in our care are safe and happy. This means that we will do everything we can to ensure we provide a safe environment and minimize risk. The staff as well as parents/carers, has a duty to be aware that abuse does occur. We will take appropriate action on any concerns about the welfare of a child. Our Child protection Policy is based on the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. We also follow the information provided by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. It is also linked to key commitments of the Early Years Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy. We also have a ‘Whistleblowing Policy’. Please see our Child protection policies for further details Cheryl Herrick and Natalie Tucker are the designated members of staff for Safeguarding Children. In their absence the Deputy Designated Person is Di Dawe. and Naomi Wills.
The Community as a Resource
In order to provide a rich and varied experience for your child, we visit nearby places such as the local shops, the church, the park, the library and the fire station. Appropriate staffing ratios will be always maintained. Children will wear high-visibility jackets and will hold the ‘walking-rope’ when they are near the roadside. We also encourage visitors and volunteers to the Pre-School. We have enjoyed pet visits, musical performances, science and math’s workshops and talks from professionals in different occupations.
SEN Provision
We aim to provide every child with access to a broad and balanced education. This includes the National Curriculum in line with the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. Staff members seek to identify the needs of pupils with SEND as early as possible. This is most effectively done by gathering information from parents, education, health and care services and early year’s settings prior to the child’s entry into the school. We monitor the progress of all pupils in order to aid the identification of pupils with SEND. Continuous monitoring of those pupils with SEND by their keyperson will help to ensure that they are able to reach their full potential. Make appropriate provision to overcome all barriers to learning and ensure pupils with SEND have full access to the Curriculum.
We work with parents to gain a better understanding of their child, and involve them in all stages of their child’s education. We also work with and in support of outside agencies when the pupils’ needs cannot be met by the preschool alone.
Responsibility for the coordination of SEND provision The person responsible for overseeing the provision for children with SEND is Miss Claire Oaten, (Headteacher). Mrs Abby Coe oversees the Preschool provision. The person co-ordinating the day-to-day provision of education for pupils with SEND is Mrs Diane Dawe and Miss Sophie Saunders (SENCo’s).
Somerset Local offer – https://www.somerset.gov.uk/childcare/apple-orchard-pre-school/
Pre-School Fees and Early Years Funding
As a registered provider under the government’s Early Years Funding Scheme we receive funding for eligible 3 and 4 year olds.
Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk further information