Welcome to Cobden Pre-School
Cobden Pre-School is owned and governed by Cobden Primary School, Loughborough. Situated within the main school building, our pre-school has three dedicated learning rooms and a well-equipped outdoor learning environment, including a secure outdoor play area exclusively for our children. The pre-school is an integral part of our school community, providing children with a smooth transition into Reception and beyond.
We understand how important these early years are and are committed to providing the highest quality care and education to help every child thrive and achieve their full potential.
At Cobden Pre-School, we believe children learn best in an environment that is safe, nurturing, stimulating and fun. We create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where every child feels valued, respected and supported to develop confidence, independence and a love of learning.
We work closely with parents and carers from the very beginning, building strong relationships to create a genuine home-from-home experience. Our children are encouraged to take ownership of their environment and learning, helping to shape experiences that reflect their interests, needs and cultures. We celebrate diversity and recognise the unique qualities that make each child special.
The whole child is at the heart of everything we do. Through positive relationships, nurturing support and meaningful experiences, we help children develop the personal qualities they need to succeed both in school and in life. Compassion, resilience, ambition, bravery, kindness and respect are modelled and encouraged every day.
We place great importance on creating a culture of listening, where children, parents and carers feel heard and valued. By working together, we ensure every child feels a strong sense of belonging and develops the confidence to explore, question and discover.
Our aim is to inspire lifelong learners who are curious, independent and enthusiastic. Through high-quality play, rich experiences and purposeful interactions, we develop children’s language and vocabulary while encouraging them to think deeply, solve problems and embrace new challenges.
Together, we belong, believe and succeed.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Provision for the development and learning of children from birth to five years is guided by the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
At Cobden Primary School, our provision is founded on the four overarching principles of the EYFS:
A Unique Child
We recognise that every child is unique and continually learning. We believe that all children have the capacity to be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured learners. We value each child’s individual strengths, interests and experiences and use these to support their development.
Positive Relationships
We know that children learn best when they feel safe, secure and valued. Through nurturing and positive relationships with adults and their peers, children develop confidence, independence and a sense of belonging within our school community.
Enabling Environments
We provide stimulating, engaging and inclusive learning environments that support children’s development and respond to their individual needs. We work closely with parents, carers and external professionals to ensure every child receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
Learning and Development
We understand that children develop and learn at different rates. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring that every child makes progress from their individual starting points.
Our Curriculum
We provide a play-based curriculum enriched with carefully planned adult-led teaching and purposeful interactions. Through a balance of child-initiated exploration and guided learning experiences, we support children in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for future success.
The curriculum is informed by Development Matters and promotes learning across the seven areas of development:
Prime Areas
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language
Specific Areas
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Our provision places a strong emphasis on developing children’s communication, language, social skills and independence through meaningful, hands-on experiences and high-quality interactions.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
We recognise that children learn most effectively when they are actively engaged in their learning. The EYFS identifies three Characteristics of Effective Learning which underpin everything we do:
Playing and Exploring
Children investigate, experience and discover through active engagement with their environment.
Active Learning
Children develop concentration, perseverance and enjoyment as they take pride in their achievements and keep trying when challenges arise.
Creating and Thinking Critically
Children develop their own ideas, make links in their learning and explore different strategies to solve problems.
By carefully observing how children learn, as well as what they learn, we can provide experiences, resources and support that enable every child to become a confident, curious and motivated learner. Our aim is to nurture children who are independent, resilient and ready for the next stage of their education.
What To Expect In The EYFS Leaflet
Opening Times
The Pre-School operates during term time and is open from Monday to Friday during the hours of 8.30am until 3.30pm. It is important that our opening and closing times are adhered to.
We are able to offer the following session hours.
Morning Session – 8.30am – 11.30am
Morning Session (including lunch club) – 8.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon Session – 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Afternoon Session (including lunch club) – 11.30am – 3.30pm
Full Day (including lunch club) – 8.30am – 3.30pm
Funded childcare entitlements
There are 3 streams of FEEE funding which can be accessed:
The 3- and 4-year-old universal offer.
This offers all children up to a maximum of 570 hours per annum which is the equivalent of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year.
There is no eligibility criteria for this offer as it is universal and all 3- and 4-year-olds can access this funding the period following a child’s 3rd birthday.
The Working Parent Entitlement
This offer is from the period after a child turns 9 months old. Eligible working parents will be able to receive a maximum of 1,140 hours, per annum, which is the equivalent of 30 hours per week for 38 weeks per year).
Eligibility for this funding has to be reconfirmed by parents / carers via www.beststartinlife.gov.uk and then validated by providers every 3 months (by the validity end date of the eligibility code as sometimes it can be required more often). Please visit the Working Parent Entitlement web page to see the eligibility criteria that parents / carers have to meet to receive this funding.
2-Year Old Funding
The 2-year-old funding offer for families who are receiving additional forms of support. This offers eligible children the chance to take up to a maximum of 570 hours per annum, which is the equivalent of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year.
Once a parent / carer is eligible for this funding, they will remain eligible even if their circumstances change. Parents / carers are not expected to re-check their eligibility. Please visit the Funding for 9 month to 2 year old children web page to see the eligibility criteria that parents/carers have to meet to receive this funding.
Where a child accesses a provision part way through a period, funding is pro-rata’d accordingly.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility of children based on their age The following eligibility information shows when a child is eligible to receive funding from. This is applicable to all aspects of the 9-month and upwards, 2-, 3- and 4-year-old funding.
A child born between: 1 April and 31 August. Will be eligible for a funded place from: The start of the autumn period (from the 1 September) following them reaching 9 months old or their 2nd or 3rd birthday, if eligible, until they go to school.
A child born between: 1 September and 31 December. Will be eligible for a funded place from: The start of the spring period (from the 1 January) following them reaching 9 months old or their 2nd or 3rd birthday, if eligible, until they go to school.
A child born between: 1 January and 31 March. Will be eligible for a funded place from: The start of the summer period (from the 1 April) following them reaching 9 months old or their 2nd or 3rd birthday, if eligible, until they go to school.
Application and reconfirmation requirements
Voucher codes for 2-year-olds are automatically produced when a parent / carer applies online. Once the application for funding is approved by the local authority, an email / letter is sent to parents / carers as proof of funding. A copy of this confirmation should be given to the child’s chosen childcare provider, so that they are able to add the voucher code into the system.
Specific information for the working parent entitlement.
Parents / carers are required to re-check their eligibility in line with their email reminder from the HMR (this is usually every 3 months but can differ). Please note that if a family tries to claim funding for the first time whilst in their grace period, they will not be able to access any of the working parent entitlement hours as per the statutory guidance.
Attendance
Absences must be confirmed on the first day of non-attendance by telephone (01509 263485); reasons for non-attendance must be detailed to safeguard continuity of funding. Children are expected to attend all booked sessions. If a child regularly fails to attend their place may be offered to a child on the waiting list.
Charging Policy
We charge for the following extras in connection with the free / funded hours: hot dinners which are consumed by the child (should parents wish to take up this offer) at a cost of £3.20 (subject to change) and any additional hours over and above those entitlement hours agreed in the parental statement of undertaking at a cost of £5.00 per hour (subject to change).
Charges in relation to consumables / time accessed outside the funded hours are agreed with parents / carers prior to any charges being made.
Milk and a healthy snack during session are free of charge.
Cancellation on of a pre-school place(s) is subject to a four-week notice period. Should the full notice period not be given, fees for each place for the full notice period are to be paid. This will be agreed and signed for on our parent statement of undertaking.
Childcare Options
For information about childcare options please click on the link below:
Policy Information
Government Information
Please refer to Leicestershire county Council Website for more details: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-years-and-childcare/funded-childcare-places/funding-for-2-year-old-children
Government Website ‘Best Start in Life’: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/