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Choosing the right Pre-school for your child is one of the most important responsibilities you undertake. Rainbow is a pre-school that our children, staff and committee are proud of.
Introduction
Introduction
Rainbow Pre-school is an independent, charity-registered. committee run, session-based pre-school, based in Stansted Mountfitchet.
Rainbow was established in 1972 and we moved to our current well equipped premises in 2011. With support of ECC we have updated another room in our current building and now have 2 rooms and are able to offer sessions from 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday, term time only.
We provide pre-school services to children from 2 to 5 years. Our groups are known as The Adventurers (Rising 4's) and the Explorers ( Rising 3's) .
Ethos
Ethos
Our ethos at Rainbow Pre-School is to provide a high quality pre-school education for children, working closely in partnership with parents, to help children to learn and develop. We strive to offer children and their parents a service that promotes equality and social values including mutual respect for each other, within a safe and stimulating environment.
Ofsted
Ofsted
Rainbow Pre-School is Ofsted Registered and has an ‘Outstanding’ record. See the Ofsted site for more information.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our aim is to create a stimulating, caring atmosphere where staff will assist your child to build confidence, develop self reliance, learn to make decisions and develop the ability to articulate feelings and ideas.
Rainbow provides a stimulating environment in which creativity and expressiveness are valued. Our aim is to assist your child to build confidence, develop self reliance, learn to make decisions and develop the ability to articulate feelings and ideas.
Rainbow aims for a high adult to child ratio, we care for no more than 26 children, per room, at any given time. We aim to have at least 3 to 4 members of staff , depending upon numbers and ages of the children in our care, The staff are supported by a volunteer helper, during each session. We welcome the support of parent/grandparent volunteers whenever possible.
We pride ourselves on delivering a high level of Early Years Childcare and education to all our children. Our environment focuses on encouraging children’s independence and choice to support their learning. We encourage independent exploration, investigation and fun through freedom of choice, child centred activities with adult support and interaction.
Learning Environment
Learning Environment
At Rainbow we believe children learn best when they are having fun and encourage children to explore their interests through:
Small world play.
Construction.
Role play.
Sand.
Water.
Malleable materials.
Creative areas.
Music and songs.
Letters and sounds.
Numeracy.
Messy activities.
Books.
Stories.
Children can choose to engage with their peers, or pursue their own interests and learning independently.
Rainbow provides a balance between child and adult led activities both indoors and outdoors. Activities are planned so that experiences are appropriate for age, stage and ability of each child.
At Rainbow both indoor and outdoor areas are rich in activities. We encourage children to access the outdoor area freely whatever the weather. They are able to have fun playing in the mud kitchen and digging area, looking for visitors to our bug hotel. Our children have the opportunity of outside role play, whether they have the role of garage mechanic, petrol pump attendant, or builder. A painting wall to develop their gross motor skills plus they are able experience sand and water play.
Every term we base our planning around the interests of our children and develop the planning to allow each child to achieve within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Recent topics have been:
Science experiments exploring hot and cold
Growth
People who help us
Festivals
Healthy Eating
Exploring the local environment
Keyperson
Keyperson
Our Keyperson system gives each member of staff a particular responsibility for just a few children. Each child has one special adult to relate to, which can make settling into the group much easier. In addition, the Keyperson is in a position to tailor the group’s curriculum to the unique needs of each child. The Keyperson maintains links with the child’s home setting, working with parents through shared record keeping to ensure that all children are supported in reaching their full potential. It is also important that parents/carers share any information regarding any changes in circumstances at home no matter how trivial they seem with the key person or manager.
Practical Details
Practical Details
Sessions
Sessions
Pre-School meets from Monday through to Friday.
Rainbow divides the children into two groups with the older children (Adventurers) in one and the younger in the other (Explorers). This helps the differentiating of activities and length of time spent, appropriate to each child. This also ensures we adhere to the strict Adult to child ratios for the differing ages.
2 /3 Year Olds
2 /3 Year Olds
We recommend younger children do not attend less than 2 sessions per week. Our skilled practitioners fully understand the varying needs of children and the changing requirements as children develop to preschool age. By your child attending 2 or more sessions a week they find the transition less stressful.
Rainbow will arrange a meeting at preschool to discuss the Registration/ medical form. You are then invited for a settling in session with your child. This enables us to help you and your child feel at ease and settle in. If your child can settle gradually and happily into the pre-school he/she will have more confidence when making the move to Primary School. If there is still a separation anxiety then your Key Person will work with you as to the gentlest way to solve this. Rest assured, if your child is overly distressed or unwell you will be contacted and asked to return.
3 Year Olds
3 Year Olds
From the term after the child's 3rd birthday they are funded by the government to attend up to 15 hours per week. This can be up to 30 hours if parent/carers fulfil certain criteria https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working . We will will try to offer you the sessions that you require as long as we have availability and we are able to adhere to our ratios.
Feeding and rest arrangements
Feeding and rest arrangements
We buy small cartons of milk for them and any that do not like or cannot have milk will be provided with water. We provide a healthy snack each morning. When your child is in receipt of either 2 year or 3 year Free Educational Entitlement or the entitlemnet for working parents we have a voluntary contribution of £30.00 per term to cover the cost of resources.
As we may have children with allergies we request that no food or drink is to be brought on to the premises. It is still possible to provide food for a special occasion but these must be passed directly to the managers.
We do not have a separate room for resting. However, we do have some comfortable beanbags in which a tired or poorly child may relax if necessary. These would be placed in a quiet corner.
Fees
Fees
A registration fee of £25 is charged once you have accepted a place at Rainbow Pre-school. This is non refundable and is used to cover costs such as our membership to the online journal system.
Session costs are currently £8.00 per hour.
The 2 year (selected children only ) and 3 year Free Education Entitlement becomes paid by Essex County Council the term after they become 2 or 3 years old.
The Extended Entitlement (30 hours offer): We offer this and it is the parent/carers responsibility to check if they are eligible and then make an application by going to : https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Applying to Rainbow
Applying to Rainbow
If you wish to apply for a place at Rainbow, please read the notes and fill in the application form on: Applying to Rainbow.
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