Our Setting

Waltham Pre-school 

Waltham Pre-school is a friendly setting based in the village of Waltham-on-the-Wolds, in the heart of Leicestershire. The setting is used by families living in Waltham and surrounding villages as well as those living in Melton and Grantham. Waltham-Pre school feeds into Waltham-on-the-Wolds CE Primary School, as well as all other local primary schools. 

We are based in a self-contained, purpose built facility adjacent to the Primary School, built in 2010 with access to various outside learning areas, including our own wooded area. 

We can cater for up to 26 children aged 2 to 4 years of age at any one time with opening times 8.30am to 4.00pm during term time. For parents requiring an extended day for their child, Waltham CE Primary School have an After School Club that our children may attend and we are happy to walk them over.

Our Facilities

We have a large, vibrant room that is set up to provide different learning experiences: creative corners, construction areas, cosy book sofas, writing and number stations, dressing-up/imaginative play places and so much more! The children's toilet area is freely accessible, as is our open veranda which provides a covered outdoor space for the children to have fun in.

Our outdoor space is extensive, with:

• an enclosed space set up for exploring, digging, bike-riding, climbing and play. It is also close to the Reception class at Waltham Primary School so they get to see older children who become friends.
• a large field for running, parachute games, sports and play.
• an enclosed wood for adventures, learning about nature and having more play experiences.

We value our community facilities too and can often be seen on walks around our village and participating in events such as the summer/charter fair and Starlight Night at church. More widely, we like to go on trips to ..... and enjoy visits from ....

Our Team

We have a highly qualified team of staff, with over 90 years combined experience in childcare and pride ourselves on high staff to child ratios to create a comprehensive and stimulating environment. Mrs Sian Morris is our manager and can be contacted via the school office 01664 464269 or directly on 01664 464089 if you'd like to visit or find out further information.

All our staff are well-trained in Early Years and child care, Safeguarding, paediatric first aid and food hygiene and attend regular training events to ensure we are fully up-to-date and compliant with any new regulations.

We are part of a wider team through the RISE Multi-Academy Trust and work closely with Waltham-on-the-Wolds Church of England Primary School (staff, parents and governors) as well as the Leicestershire Early Years department for education to ensure our setting has the best possible support.

We also liaise with other local primary schools to support the transition process.

We consider our parents and families very much a part of our team too. The strength of our partnerships are part of what makes our setting so special and it is what enables the children in our care to thrive.

We are proud of our whole team and welcome the opportunity to grow and develop further.

Our Provision

We provide high quality childcare in a caring environment, focussing on the needs of the children and their families. Fun, family, and laughter form the basis of our approach; inclusion, safety, excellence and enjoyment enable all to flourish and succeed.

We welcome all with open arms.

We use the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework as our guide to planning as these are the standards that school and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5. 

Ofsted acknowledged the quality of our provision in our last inspection when we were judged as outstanding in all areas.

Quality Recognition

Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Service Record of visit

Date: 8^th September 2022

The provision is welcoming, spacious and calm.

The provision is well-resourced, with purposeful learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors. All children seemed highly engaged in the activities they had chosen.

Adults have high expectations of children of all ages and the environment is very well-organised to foster and promote independence from the moment children enter the provision.

The outdoor area is currently under development and there are ambitious plans in place for when it is complete. The setting clearly values inclusion and celebrates diversity, evident through practice and areas of provision.

The setting supports families in a variety of ways and works hard to build positive relationships with them. This supports partnership working and ensures all families feel valued. They support parents / carers through various engaging strategies and continued to do this throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leicestershire County Council - Quality Review

We have Lead Setting Status from Leicestershire County Council, which is a testament to our good practice.

Healthy Tots

Waltham Pre-school have been awarded The Healthy Tot Status on a continual cycle since 2012.

Leicestershire Healthy Tots Programme recognises that being healthy is about developing healthy habits.

A Healthy Tots setting is one that is recognised by the local authority as being successful in helping children make healthier choices and helps healthy children become healthy adults.

We encompass physical, emotional and social development as well as dietary and nutritional support to children and their families.

Ofsted Inspection.

We now come under the umbrella of the school so there is no separate report for our setting.

Celebrating the Season

Spring has sprung at Waltham Pre-School and the children are busy preparing for Easter by creating a variety of fun crafts.  Some of the crafts have included making hot cross buns, Easter cards, pictures, daffodils, Mother’s Day cards and shamrocks.  The children have also been singing songs and reading books about Easter and Spring.