Our Staff
All staff employed at Swallownest Pre-School and Nursery undertake courses run by the Rotherham Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, Pre-School Learning Alliance Training and other training bodies. Each member of staff hold up to date First Aid and Safeguarding Children certificates, as well as disclosure certificates obtained from the Criminal Records Bureau, ensuring the health and safety of our children at all times. Staff training is continuously kept up to date with current best practice.
Kay Maxfield - BA Honours Degree in Early Years Education
Manager
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Lead Co-ordinator
Inclusion Officer
Safeguarding Officer
Looked After Children Co-ordinator
Early Language and Communication Lead
Natalie Pask - BA Honours Degree in Childhood Studies
Deputy Manager
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator
First Aid Co-ordinator
Math Development Lead Practitioner
Healthy Foundations Lead Practitioner
Julie Thompson - NVQ Level 3 Early Years Childcare and Education
Early Years Practitioner
Health and Safety Officer
Fire Safety Officer
Louise Hilton - NVQ Level 2 Childcare and Education
Early Years Practitioner
Amanda Miccoli - Working toward Level 2 Childcare and Education
Early Years Practitioner
Swallownest Pre-School and Nursery provides a wide range of learning experiences which are carefully planned and evaluated in order to support the learning and care needs of each individual child. We deliver a curriculum in line with National Guidelines and we offer a happy, safe environment with fully qualified, friendly staff promoting learning through play.
At Swallownest Pre-School and Nursery we aim to create a happy and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to explore and discover and learn through play. We introduce young children to a range of experiences using practical learning opportunities appropriate to their age and stage of development.
We also aim to build positive relationships with parents/carers so that we can support the emotional, physical and social development of children. It is recognised by our staff that starting Pre-School is a great step in yours and your child's life. We will do all that we can to make you both feel welcome and to make sure the transition from home to Pre-School is as smooth as possible.
Funded Places
Swallownest Pre-School and Nursery are able to offer free childcare for 2 year olds. Please contact us to check if you are eligible.
All 3 - 4 year olds are automatically entitled to receive a 15 hours funded place the term after their 3rd birthday.
Parents can check whether they could be eligible for a range of government childcare offers, including 30 hours, via Childcare Choices at
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
or using the Childcare Calculator at
https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator
Key Person
Your child will be allocated a key person to help them settle, giving reassurance to feel safe, confident and cared for within the setting. Children who have this bond tend to benefit quickly from the activities and resources on offer. The key person will follow your child's progress and development and share information with you to make sure the individual needs of your child are being met.
Oftsted Rating - GOOD
- The quality and standard of the Early Years Provision is Good.
- Staff skilfully support Children's imaginary play.
- Staff actively seek the views of parents and act on their wishes.
- Staff use their strong teaching skills and training well to support Children's speech and language goals.
- Parents excitedly explain how the newly introduced electronic system allows them to see and contribute to their child's learning daily.
Read more
Term Time Monday - Friday
Breakfast time 08:00 am - 09:15 am Morning Session 09:15 am - 11:45 am Lunch time 11:45 am - 12:45 pm Afternoon Session 12:45 pm - 15:15 pm
What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is how the Government and Early Year’s professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and age 5.
This is an extremely important stage as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. The early years’ experiences we offer children at Swallownest Preschool ensure they are happy, active, exciting, fun and secure, and support their development, care and learning needs.
As a registered provider of Early Years Care and Education, Swallownest Preschool are required to follow a legal document called the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. The framework explains how and what your child will be learning and supports Early Years professionals to promote healthy development.
Your child will be learning skills, developing new knowledge and showing their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development; and
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.
As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design.
At Swallownest Preschool we use these 7 areas to plan your child’s learning and activities. The key people supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary schools but it is suitable for very young children.
