St Philip's Pre-School - About us

St Philip’s Pre-School is located on the site of St Philip’s C of E Primary School in the heart of the Romsey area of Cambridge. The pre-school is run and managed by our school governing body and Pre-School Lead Practitioner.

Our pre-school offers a welcoming, nurturing and stimulating environment that encourages children’s development through a play-based curriculum. This is supported by knowledgeable, experienced and highly trained early years staff. Through best practice they offer enriching experiences where every individual is valued and nurtured.

With a child-centred approach, we have developed a rich, progressive curriculum which enables children to pursue their interests and develop the skills that are needed to flourish. This results in children investing themselves in becoming independent learners.

WELCOME / WE PROVIDE

Applications now being taken
Paid-for places available from the day after your child turns 3
15-hour and 30-hour funded places for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds
Term-time wraparound care available

When is the pre-school open?

The pre-school is open from 8:45am to 2:45pm, Monday to Friday. We follow the dates of the school terms plus INSET training days and are not open during the school holidays.

Our session times are:

Morning session: 8:45am–11:45am
Afternoon session: 11:45am–2:45pm
Full day: 8:45am–2:45pm

Optional additional half hour: 2:45pm-3:15pm, charged at £4.50 and booked in advance.

There is no artificial break in the funded day at lunchtime. Funded hours can be used across the normal morning and afternoon sessions in line with your child’s agreed funded entitlement and attendance pattern.

What are the term dates?

Term dates can be found on this page on the school website.

What age can children start at the pre-school?

Children can start from the day after their 3rd birthday if you wish to pay for a place. Eligible funded childcare can be used in line with the Government eligibility rules and the date from which your child becomes eligible.

For universal 15-hour funding, funded hours normally begin from the term after your child turns 3. Eligible working parents may also qualify for 30-hour funded childcare, subject to the Government’s eligibility requirements.

How much do the pre-school sessions cost?

Our session structure is:

Morning session: 8:45am–11:45am – £19.50 per 3-hour session

Afternoon session: 11:45am–2:45pm – £19.50 per 3-hour session

Full day: 8:45am–2:45pm – £39.00 per 6-hour session

Optional late pick-up: 2:45pm–3:15pm – £4.50

Eligible Early Years Funding may be used for funded hours attended. Additional hours above a child’s funded entitlement are chargeable at the published rate.

How do I use my government funded 15 hours or 30 hours to pay for Pre-School sessions?

Eligible families can use their Early Years Funding for the hours their child attends pre-school, in accordance with their agreed attendance pattern and funded entitlement.

For information for parents and carers about Early Years Funding, please visit the Cambridgeshire County Council Early Years Funding page:

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/childcare-and-early-learning/information-for-parents-and-carers/early-years-funding

You can also find information about childcare and early learning at:

https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/

For eligible 30-hour funding, parents/carers should provide the pre-school with their eligibility code and the required information within the timescale requested by the setting so that eligibility can be checked and funding claimed appropriately.

Do I have to use all my funded hours if I am eligible?

No. You do not have to use your full 15 or 30 hours with St Philip’s Pre-School. Families may choose to use part of their entitlement, subject to the sessions available and agreed attendance pattern.

During a reduced-hour settling-in period, Government funding can only be claimed for the hours your child attends. We cannot claim funded hours for sessions or hours that your child has not attended.

Can I pay and book more sessions than my funding covers?

Yes. You can pay for additional sessions or hours above your funded entitlement, subject to availability. Additional private paid hours are charged at the published rate.

Can I book extra sessions in addition to my regular weekly pattern?

We understand that parents sometimes need to add an extra session on an ad-hoc basis and will support this where space allows. We recommend that, as far as possible, a consistent schedule is maintained to give stability to the children.

Please contact the pre-school office to enquire whether it is possible to add an extra session.

How much notice do I need to give to change my sessions or withdraw my child?

We require four weeks’ notice if you wish to change your regular sessions or withdraw your child from pre-school. This applies to both funded and parent-funded places.

Please contact the pre-school office as soon as possible if you need to make a change.

Does my child need to wear uniform?

No. Uniform is not compulsory for children attending pre-school.

We understand that logo uniform can be costly and that young children get messy. Children may wear practical, comfortable clothing suitable for play and outdoor activities. If families wish to follow school colours, supermarket brands are fine.

Suitable clothing includes comfortable elastic-waist jogging bottoms or leggings, grey or black bottoms, white polo tops and a simple navy-blue jumper or cardigan. Footwear should be closed toe and suitable for running, jumping and climbing. Velcro fastening is preferable to laces to support children’s emerging independence skills.

Please name everything.

What can my child have for lunch?

If your child is booked to stay through lunchtime, they can either have a hot school lunch or bring a packed lunch. Hot school lunches are booked and paid for separately through the school caterer’s online booking system.

If you are providing a packed lunch, please send a healthy, nutritious lunch that your child will enjoy eating. Water is provided. Please do not send food containing nut ingredients and, if sending grapes, please cut them in half lengthways. A small ice pack can be used to keep lunches cool.

What does my child need to bring with them to pre-school?

Your child will need to bring:

Spare clothes, named, in a bag to hang on their peg (these do not need to be uniform)
A backpack or book bag each day
Wellington boots to stay at pre-school, with their name inside
A healthy packed lunch if staying for lunch and you have chosen to provide one
Appropriate clothes for seasonal weather – for example a warm coat, gloves/hat or sun hat

Can my child attend if they are not toilet trained?

Yes, your child can attend if they are not toilet trained when they start.

Individual needs can be discussed with the Lead Practitioner, and support will be put in place to help families with toilet training. Children will be supported by experienced early years staff with developing their toileting skills.

If your child is wearing nappies or pull-ups when attending pre-school, you will need to supply:

A pack of nappies or pull-ups – named
A pack of your own wipes – named
A pack of nappy disposal sacks – named

Does the school have any wraparound care for before and after the Pre-school Day?

The school wraparound care is provided by an external provider. Pre-School children can access breakfast and after-school provision where places are available. Please see the main school website for current provider details and arrangements.

How do I find out if there is availability in the pre-school for my child?

Please complete and return the Expression of Interest Form found on the pre-school page of the main school website to the pre-school office.

Alternatively, please contact the school office for further information about availability and admissions.

Useful Information for Parents and Carers

The links below provide access to:

All funded hours are available free of charge. Any additional private paid hours or other applicable charges will be clearly identified separately.

Please contact the school office on 01223 508707 or email office@stphilips.cambs.sch.uk for more information