Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To help answer any questions you may have, please see our FAQs below:

I am thinking about a place for my child, can I come and visit Pre-School?

Please contact us directly on 01765 658080 or at kirkbymalzeardpreschool@outlook.com to arrange a suitable date and time to visit. We look forward to showing you around.

How are your sessions structured? What are the timings of drop off and pick up?

Morning sessions: Monday to Friday 9.00am –12.00

Afternoon session: Monday to Friday afternoons 12.30 pm - 3.30pm

Lunchtime: Monday to Friday 12.00 – 1pm

We also offer 'Wrap around care, which currently runs from 8am until 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8am to 4.30pm on a Friday (please ask if you require anything different). Current fee is £4.70 per hour (pro rata) or may be used as part of your 15/30 hours funding entitlement.

Will my child have any settling in sessions?

We encourage parents and carers to visit Pre-School with their children for short sessions during the weeks before admission is planned. We will endeavour to work with you, as a family, to ensure the best possible transition for your child/children. 

Do you provide daily meals?

Daily meals are not provided and we ask that you please provide a packed lunch in a named box. We ask that in line with our policy, it is healthy and nutritious and contains a piece of fruit/vegetable.

Do you provide morning and/or afternoon snacks?

All sessions include snack time (at around 10am and 3pm a healthy snack and a choice of milk or water is provided at no extra cost). We plan the menus for snacks so that they provide the children with healthy and nutritious food. Please tell us about your child's dietary needs, allergies or allergen concerns and we will make sure that these are met.

Do children need to wear a uniform?

Pre-School sweatshirts and t-shirts are available at a cost of £9 for a branded sweatshirt and £8 for a branded polo t-shirt. They are by no means essential, but many parents and children find it more convenient for them to have them. We ask that all children wear suitable, appropriate  clothing remembering that we access the outdoors throughout the year and your child will participate in activities involving water & sand play, painting, gluing and much more.   

Will my child have a designated key worker?

Our setting uses a key person approach. This means that each member of staff has a group of children for whom she/he is particularly responsible. Your child's key person will be the person who works with you to make sure that the childcare and early years development that we provide is right for your child's particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at the setting, she/he will help your child to settle and throughout your child's time at the setting, she/he will help your child to benefit from the setting's activities. 

How can you tell us about your child's needs, special requirements, changes to routines or updates on a daily basis?

Staff will be available at drop-off and pick up times each day and can pass on information to the keyworker designated to your child for that day. In addition to this, parent/carers can e-mail kirkbymalzeardpreschool@outlook.com.

If further communication is required, it is possible to provide families with a communication book to pass on any information relevant to us here at Pre-School. This may be to communicate what you are doing together at home; anything you may be struggling with, finding challenging or having fun with.

We ask that any changes in routine are put in writing to Pre-School and passed directly to a member of staff. 

What are the fees for Kirkby Malzeard Pre-School?

The fees are payable half termly in advance. Fees must still be paid if children are absent without notice for a short period of time. If your child has to be absent over a long period of time, please talk to Tracy Sidgwick.

When your child starts at Pre-School, we will ask you to sign a parental agreement, which details which sessions your child will attend and the fees for this. 

Please see our 'Fees and Government Funding' page for further information and do not hesitate to contact us directly.