Stepping Stones Pre–School
Stepping Stones Pre -School, Parwich was established in 1992 making this year our 20th year of providing an environment for pre–school children to meet other children and learn though play.
We are based at the new Memorial Hall in Parwich; whilst the Hall was rebuilt we moved to Bradbourne Village Hall and moved back to the new Hall once finished.
Stepping Stones provides learning through play in line with Early Years Framework. Stepping Stones can take children from the age of 2 until the start of school. The Pre -School is open every weekday morning term time 9.00am – 12.00noon.
Within the setting children learn independence and are encouraged to remove coats, select their own snacks and use the toilet. They are also encouraged to eat snacks around a table together to learn social skills and learn to sit quietly for story time and at the start of the session to discuss the morning’s activities.
Parents are encouraged to accompany the children into the hall and the children love showing their parents the activities.
Each half term a topic is chosen and activities such as art, craft, cooking and songs are based around the topic. The children really enjoy cooking and baking they show a real pride presenting their offerings to their parents. Parents donate boxes, tubes and bottles for junk modelling and some very interesting constructions come home again. It is quite amazing what you can make from an old plastic drinks bottle!
They also spend time leaning essential skills such as counting, learning letters and trying to write but these are carried out in such a fun way that the children do not realise that they are learning.
The children can also suggest topics based on things they are interested in. This half term they are looking at African Animals and have learnt songs they will also be learning about the animals as well as the African culture, including cooking some African food. Some previous topics have included The Family and Transport. During the Transport topic they actually made a set up a garage outside complete with fuel pump. At Christmas the children love making cards for their parents, writing letters to Santa; this year we even had a post-box, they also did some baking and sweet making for the Christmas fair.
The new hall has an excellent outdoor area and during good weather the children spend time outside and this year we are hoping to get some planting equipment for the children to use.
The pre-school does receive some funding and charges fees for non-funded children however, this does not always meet all the running costs so the Committee have to organise fund raising events. In previous years we have held Darts and Domino nights, Fashion Shows, Christmas fairs and Quiz nights. Last year the children did a sponsored walk and picnic around the cricket pitch.
This year we already have a Pea and Pie supper with Quiz, Coffee Afternoon and Darts & Dominoes. However, due to a severe lack of numbers for September we will need to organise more fund raising events and are aiming to hold a number of Open Days to try and recruit some more children to enable the Pre-School to remain open. If you require any information please call Helen Downing on 01335 346317 or email: steppingstonespreschool@fsnet.com
