Welcome to Pre-School
Pre-School Staff
Mrs Brown
Mrs Stoney
Pre-School Practitioner
Mrs Chivers
Pre-School Practitioner
Miss Kidd
Pre-School is our newest and youngest class within school. We are very excited that the Pre-School is now part of Lancaster Lane and officially involved in the wider life of the school. Whilst this is the case, we must stress that a place in our Pre-School class has no influence on your child gaining a place in the Reception class. Unfortunately, this is completely out of our control and parents apply through Lancashire for Reception starters in the usual way.
Mrs Brown is the Pre-School Leader and is supported all week by Mrs Stoney, Mrs Chivers and Mrs Kidd.
Our Pre-School class has spaces for 2, 3 and 4 year olds. The Pre-School sessions are as follows:
- 8.45am – 11.50am (Morning Session)
- 12.20pm – 3.20pm (Afternoon Session)
- 8.45am – 3.20pm (Full Day Session)
We pride ourselves on our flexible approach for sessions that parents wish their child to attend. Children who attend the Pre-School can also attend before and after school care. Please speak to Mrs Brown or the school office for further details.
Unsure if you can access 30 hours FREE childcare?
Visit Child Care Choices to check if you are eligible.
Our Environment
We strive to ensure that our Pre-School classroom is a calm environment, with muted colours and natural resources where possible. Consistent visual timetables across all classrooms in school help children feel secure and confident, as they always know what is happening and what to expect next. We prioritise well organised, clutter free spaces that provide access to areas of provision for all children and reduce cognitive overload. These areas are clearly labelled with photos and words, as well as silhouettes on shelves, to support children in accessing and caring for their environment. Continuous resources are chosen carefully and long term planning across EYFS classrooms ensure progression in materials and opportunities for learning.
We have a shared outdoor area that both Pre-School and Reception access, with a large grassy, natural area and a hard surfaced area. The area provides ample opportunity for children to develop their skills across the 7 areas of learning, based on its size and available resources/equipment. The children share learning experiences outdoors to provide opportunities for the older children to model/teach the younger children through their interactions and for the younger children to learn from the older children. Adults carefully support these learning experiences through high-quality interactions.
Our Curriculum
Our Pre-School class works on a two-yearly rolling overview, as some children attend for more than one year. Topics stay loosely the same so that prior knowledge can be built on, but focus texts change which impacts the direction of learning in the class. Please see the document below for additional information as to how considerations and learning opportunities for the EYFS programmes are made at Lancaster Lane Pre-School.
Pre-School use their long-term overview to inform their medium-term planning. This provides more detail on what will be covered during each half term to ensure progression throughout the year and a focus for learning. Medium term plans are adapted based on each cohorts needs and interests each year.
Continuous provision enhancements are planned weekly, with adults in class contributing to planning based on the needs and interests of their key worker groups, alongside the influence of the overarching topic and text for that half term. EYFS staff work in collaboration to enhance areas within the outdoor provision based on both classes but also led by the child-initiated learning observed and involved in.
Phonics
Red Rose Letters and Sounds
To help support children in their early stages of phonological awareness, we use Phase 1 Red Rose Letters and Sounds. This programme ensures that children become successful communicators, paving the way for them to make a good start on their reading and writing journey.
This is also in line with the rest of the school, who use Red Rose Letters and Sounds to teach phonics across Reception and Key Stage One. More information on how this is taught across school can be found by clicking on this link.
Developing Language and Vocabulary
Communication and language development is a key priority within our pre-school. We have an allocated Language Lead, who attends regular CPD, delivers the ‘Concept Cat’ intervention for our pre-school children and provides recommendations for developing language across pre-school and reception. High quality interactions between adults and children develop conversational skills and model appropriate use of language. The environment is language rich, both with purposeful language displayed and through the use of language modelled by adults. The reading area in pre-school provides opportunities for children to access books with high-quality language, which is shared with children at regular story times and during interactions with adults in the reading areas and beyond. Storytelling is continually developed through various areas of provision inside and outdoors, such as small world, construction, role play etc. High quality and purposeful permanent resources and enhancements are provided to support this. Drama and role play are not only evident through child-led activities within provision, but also through adult-led planned opportunities. Questioning individually, as part of a group or as a whole class, is used to promote the use of language and to encourage children to develop confidence in their speaking skills. We use Wellcomm to assess the language of all children in pre-school. Children who require additional support receive a tailored intervention to develop their language skills. Needs of each cohort are identified through the assessments and considerations are made as to how these needs can be addressed through provision.
Wider School Involvement
Lancaster Lane is a ‘caring community’ and our Pre-School class are involved within our whole school community as much as possible.
We carefully plan opportunities for children to access learning opportunities in line with the rest of the school. We have a specialist music teacher and sports coach, who complete sessions with our Pre-School children that are tailored to their needs. Whole school events provide chances for new experiences and collaboration with other children across school.
The children also have access to all the benefits of the school and its grounds. Our large running track is the perfect place to exercise and have fun, and our large fields and wooded areas provide wonderful environments to play and explore.
Supporting Your Child
Please use the link below to access information and advice to help your child learn and grow at home. This padlet (created by Lancashire) provides information on different age ranges, health and wellbeing and SEND.
Visit Our School
Please contact us on 01772 433641 (Ext 3) to arrange a look around. A very warm welcome awaits for you and your child.
