Updates on our progress

We have been very busy over the past few weeks with lots of exciting updates to share!

Recruitment

We have now appointed our Kindergarten Manager and Deputy Manager, we were fortunate that we had some fantastic applicants and are very pleased with the depth of knowledge and experience that our new staff will bring to our Kindergarten.

Rachael Dakin - Kindergarten Manager and SENCO

Rachael has 20 years experience working with children and is qualified to Level 7. She holds a Masters in Psychology of Education, a BA (Hons) Degree in Early Childhood Studies and a BTEC Diploma in Childcare. Rachael has worked in both primary schools and early years settings and has also held the position of Designated Safeguarding Officer for Children’s Services and Social Work Assistant for the B&NES Disabled Team.

Rachael grew up on a farm in West Wales, spending many hours looking after her animals, whether it was feeding the chickens, milking their goat Daisy or riding Emma their cow. She remembers the joy of playing in the fields and climbing trees and has developed a strong appreciation of the outdoor environment.

Rachael joins us from the local Steiner Kindergarten and we feel very fortunate to have Rachael on our team.

Kimberley Miller- Deputy Manager

Kimberly has worked in Early Years settings for the past 7 years. She holds a Level 3 Early Years qualification and is a qualified Forest School Leader (Level 3). She also has qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Behavioural Management.

Kimberly joins us from a Forest School nursery and has experience running Forest School sessions in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Ofsted Inspection

On Tuesday we had a visit from Ofsted and are over the moon to have been told that we have passed. This will be confirmed in writing over the next few weeks when they will issue us with an Ofsted registration number.

Open Day

Our Open Day will be on Sunday 18th June between 10:00-16:00. We will meet at the Kindergarten HQ in the Church Rooms on Church Street (BS39 4AQ) and tours to the Woodland will commence every quarter past the hour.

To ensure we can accommodate as many people as possible, please can you reply to let me know if you are coming and the time you are likely to arrive.

Parking is limited on Church Street but there is plenty of parking in Pensford Memorial Hall Car Park on Publow Lane (BS39 4HW) so please try to park there if possible. This is a short walk to and from Kindergarten HQ so please do allow plenty of time.

Please ensure you and your family are suitably dressed for the weather and prepared to have a mini adventure!

The walk is not suitable for pushchairs so if you do have little ones please bring a sling or similar.

Government Funded Scheme

Last week I met with Banes Early Years Team and we discussed the Government Funded Childcare Scheme which is increasing from 15 hours per week to 30 hours per week in September. We are pleased to offer this to all who are eligible.

Further details on this scheme can be found here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Please let me know if you think you are eligible and I will send out further details of how to claim once your child’s space at our Kindergarten is confirmed.

Please note, the cost of our childcare is £4.75 per hour. Under the scheme the Government will meet the cost of £4.00 per hour per child. We therefore ask that parents contribute 75p per hour to cover other expenses such as activity resources. This will require you to contribute £4.50 per day that you child attends. This is essential to ensure that we can continue to provide quality and unique experiences for all the children who attend.

Due to the madness of all of the above, we will be in a position to confirm spaces shortly after 18th June.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Louise.