The pre-school playgroup meets in term time

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Monday - Friday 9:00-11:45 am

and

Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:15-2:45 pm

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Development

We are registered with the West Sussex Early Years development and Childcare Partnership. The Partnership administers the government funding which children currently receive for a minimum of three terms before they start school. This is known as the 'Nursery Grant', and because of this funding we are required by the Department of Education and Skills to keep detailed records of each child's development and progress. The partnership is in the process of introducing a new developmental record which we will use and pass on to the school for completion when the child leaves us.

Curriculum

We use a curriculum based on the Early Learning Goals for the 'Foundation Stage'. The Foundation Stage covers children's education from the age of three until they reach the end of the reception year in school. The Emotonal Development - Communication, Language and Literacy - Knowledge and Understanding of the World - and each goal is broken down into smaller stepping stones.

Each term we base our curriculum on a theme or topic, For example, last summer our topic was 'Fairy Tales'. You may remember seeing our wall displays of the Beanstalk and the Giant. Our main activities are based on our topic, and we also offer lots of other everyday activities to ensure we cover all the areas of learning.

Schooling

Children are offered a place at school for the Semptember following their fourth birthday, however not all parents feel that their children, particularly those with summer birthdays are quite ready for school at this point. They may choose to keep them at Busy Bees for another term or maybe two. We work closely with these children to ensure a smooth transition into school.

Ofsted

We are registered and inspected by Ofsted and we have to follow the National Standards as set down by them. All our staff, regular helpers and anyone who visits Busy Bees regularly have to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check. Ofsted also carry out their own checks on identification and suitability to work with children. These are separate from the Church's own 'Safe from Harm' policy.