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Sessions
The pre-school offers two sessions each day during school term time:
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Morning and afternoon sessions are available for all pre-school children, both in Caterpillars or Butterflies, and parents can choose how they wish their nursery funding hours to be spread across the sessions.
Parents are most welcome to discuss with members of staff any queries or concerns at the beginning or end of a session. It is always extremely helpful for the staff to be kept aware of any events happening in your child’s life that may affect their well being at nursery. Experience has shown us that the more we know about your child’s life at home, the better we are able to support them within the pre-school.
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The very best for every child
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Lunch & Snacks
Little Willows Pre-School can offer a hot lunch service (charges apply), provided by Whitnash Primary School’s catering team, or the child can choose to have a packed lunch brought from home. The lunch should be packed within an insulated lunchbox (clearly labelled with the child’s name) and contain an ice pack as necessary.
The pre-school encourages and supports healthy eating and staff are happy to provide information on healthy lunchbox ideas if required. We provide a range of healthy snacks during both pre-school sessions, so please let us know if your child has any food allergies or intolerances.
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Curious Caterpillars
Caterpillars is our group that caters for children aged 2 to 3 years.
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This mixed gender group is for children of all abilities and meets in the mornings 8.30-11.30 and afternoons 12.30-3.30pm every day during term time.
Parents are able to select a choice of both morning and/or afternoon sessions and this is further complemented with Breakfast, Lunch and After School Clubs.
The Caterpillars group benefit from a wide range of play-centred, child-led learning, supervised by all Little Willows staff. Specialising in helping children feel safe, secure and valued, our team build relationship and rapport to facilitate smooth transition into the pre-school and on to the next level.
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Blossoming Butterflies
The Butterflies group is our care provision for children who will reach their 4th birthday between 1st September and 31st August.
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This group meets mornings 8.30-11.30am and afternoons 12.30-3.30pm every day during term time. Parents are able to select a choice of both morning and/or afternoon sessions, and this is further complemented with Breakfast, Lunch and After School Clubs.
Every Butterfly is allocated with a Key Person who will help your child to settle in, find their feet and reach for the stars during their time with us. They work with your child to ensure their progress is closely monitored and is carefully evidenced using photographs and written observations. This is recorded in a file and passed to you when your child leaves.
Each Key Person is responsible for the planning and organisation of learning for the development of your child and includes their physical, intellectual, social, linguistic and emotional needs. Butterflies staff work hard to ensure that children are prepared emotionally and cognitively for starting Reception, and we partner with local primary schools to facilitate smooth transitions when they move on.
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The very best for every child
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“The work you do at Little Willows is beyond amazing. We know from previous experience with Amy the great work you all do with our children and we appreciate it all. Thank you so much for the excellent platform our daughter has been given as she starts her journey into ‘big’ school, you and all the staff have been a part of our family’s life for many years and I am sad this is the end of our journey with you. We wish the pre-school massive success in the future. It really is an ‘outstanding’ place.”
“I wanted to express our deepest thanks for all the hard work you and your staff do to make Little Willows such a special place. Our son has gone from a very shy child, heavily dependent on Simon, to a confident and independent boy. This is due to the way you allow the children to grow and develop at their own pace but also the kindness and support you provide. Sam has enjoyed all aspects of the diverse curriculum which is offered at Little Willows. As both parents and teachers, we have been amazed at the unique and interesting activities that Sam has experienced. He is ready for primary school and I know that this is all thanks to you. He really has grown in confidence and I would like to thank you all for always being so helpful, friendly and reassuring. Little Willows is a place we will never forget and will definitely recommend.”
“Thanks for all the support and guidance, helping us as parents have more confidence in helping Tom.” (Tom was identified and diagnosed with autism during his time at Little Willows)
“I don’t have the words to thank you enough for all the fantastic support with Sophie. We would have been lost without you.”
“Thank you for the time, care and patience you’ve invested into Jacob this year. Little Willows has helped Jacob to develop so much this year and has been an amazing grounding for his reception year. Thank you in particular for your patience with the fact that both John and I have been at work and therefore more disorganised with admin than we should have been. Thank you for all those enrichment activities which have meant so very much to us; forest school, the carol concert, sports day, the farm trip, etc. Jacob has progressed in leaps and bounds this year and I attribute a large part of this to you and your wonderful team.”
“Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you all for making Tanya’s time at Little Willows such a fantastic start to her school life. She has changed so much and is now a very confident little girl who can’t wait to start school. You are a brilliant team and great role models for the children who all thrive in such a positive environment.”
“I would really like to thank you for all your time, effort, care and support in making Lucy’s time at pre-school a very special year indeed. I would particularly like to thank you for your support with Lucy and myself through a difficult time personally. I felt reassured when you explained to me how well Lucy was doing at pre-school at this time. Even when she was frightened and a little scared, she remained happy and stable, and I know how much coming to pre-school helped her.”
