The Shade Pre-School setting provides a safe and secure environment for children aged from 3 to 4 years. The children take part in a wide range of stimulating and challenging activities in both our indoor and large outdoor area.
Our morning session runs from 9am until 12.00pm, during term times. All children aged between 3 and 4 years old are entitled to funding for 15 hours a week.
We aim for the children in our Pre-School to develop a love of learning, through a play based curriculum inspiring exploration, curiosity and investigation. They will be cared for and nurtured by skilled staff that engage effectively with the children by communicating clearly and being good role models. Our staff will inspire the children to become confident, independent learners through a curriculum that builds on learning new skills and vocabulary, through their play.
In our setting we encourage children to be independent in managing themselves. The children will be encouraged to dress/undress themselves and manage their own personal hygiene.
We have strong partnerships with parents , we share learning with parents through a secure platform called Class Dojo. Parents can see the children's learning and can also share learning from home.
In order to build close links with the main school, the Pre-School children share the school's facilities for PE sessions and use of the library.
*Securing a place in our Pre-School does not guarantee you a place in Reception at our school. For more information on applying for a school place please see follow this link.
Early Years Funding
How to Complete the Declaration
We offer 30 hours of Pre-School provision a week for those families who are eligible for 30 hour entitlement funding, with our sessions running from 9am until 3pm, during term times.
To check if you are eligible for the 30 hour entitlement please use the Cambridgeshire guidance.
If you are not eligible for 30 hours but would like your child to attend afternoon sessions, these can be purchased at £18 per session for 3-4 year olds.
Childcare Vouchers
We accept vouchers from all major childcare voucher schemes on a monthly basis and are able to set up an account with any scheme if we do not already have one with them.
How does the Admissions Policy work?
There is no catchment area for Pre-School provision. There are three intakes during the academic year, September, January and April.
The admission criteria for our early year’s provision is detailed below:
- Highest priority will be given to children in care and all children previously in care who apply for a place at the pre-school.
- Priority will next be given to children with siblings at the pre-school. Siblings include step siblings, foster siblings, adopted siblings and other children living permanently at the same address. Priority will not be given to children with siblings who are former pupils of the pre-school.
- Children living in the villages of Barway and Barcham.
- Children living in Soham.
- Priority will next be given to children of staff at the school, in either of the following circumstances:
a) The member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or
b) The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
- Children living outside of the catchment area of the school.
Is my child the right age?
All three year olds (the term after they turn three) and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). Full time provision would normally be 3 hours per session 5 days a week.
Wrap Around Care
We understand that many parents need childcare arrangements to enable them to work. We offer extended, chargeable sessions that can be flexible according to need.
Breakfast Club runs from 8am to 9.00am and After School Club runs from 3.00pm- 6.00pm with an option of a 4.30pm pick up.
Lunches
You are welcome to provide your child with a packed lunch however, we are able to offer a hot or cold lunch at an extra charge of £2.35 which is paid directly to the catering company via an online system called Parent Portal.
To view our menu please click here.
Arrange a Visit
To book a visit to our school, please contact our main school office:-
The Shade Primary Pre-School, The Shade, Soham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5DE
Telephone: 01353 886880
E-Mail: office@shade.cambs.sch.uk