Eaton Bray Academy
Happy, inspired, lifelong learners
Our School ParentsKey Information
pre-school

Pre-School (Dormice)

Our pre-school (Dormice Class) is an important part of our school community. It is a home-from-home setting that provides a nurturing and supportive environment, where every child is valued as an individual. We carefully support each child’s next steps in learning and development, helping them to build confidence, curiosity and independence, and giving them the very best start to their lifelong learning journey.

Children can join our pre-school from the term after they turn 2.
We accept 3-year-old funding and 2-year-old funding for those that are able to access it.

We also offer wraparound care (Breakfast and After School Club) open to children from the age of 3 to 11 years old.
Note These hours can form part your child’s funded entitlement.

Our pre-school is set within a large, bright building with its own playground and garden, directly accessible from the playroom. This allows children to enjoy a secure outdoor environment throughout the day, supporting active learning, exploration and wellbeing.

Our pre-school shares the same ethos as the main school, and all children wear school uniform. We encourage a comfortable and practical uniform that allows children to move freely and fully enjoy all of our creative, outdoor and sometimes messy learning experiences. Being part of the wider school means our youngest children benefit from learning alongside and from older pupils, developing confidence and a strong sense of belonging as part of the whole school family.

We believe that high-quality Early Years education is essential in supporting children’s learning and development. We offer a caring, happy, secure and stimulating environment where children can explore, investigate and grow at their own pace.

Quality interactions are at the heart of our teaching in the EYFS. Adults support children through rich conversations, modelling language, explaining, demonstrating, exploring ideas and encouraging curiosity through thoughtful questioning. Our carefully planned environment and continuous provision play an important role in supporting learning, offering a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities across all areas of development. Our outdoor environments provide a wide range of learning opportunities, including weekly Wonder Woods sessions, which encourage exploration, resilience and a love of nature.

We are open daily during term time, and operate the following hours:

Morning
8:45am – 11:45pm


Lunchtime
11:45pm - 12:15pm


Afternoon
12:15pm - 3:15pm

Breakfast Club

Breakfast club is available for all children attending the school or pre-school from the age of 3 years.

7.30am - 8.50am Monday to Friday (term time only)

The cost per session is £6.00
This includes a healthy breakfast

After School Club

After School Club is run by qualified staff and is available for all children attending the school or pre-school from the age of 3 years.

3.20pm - 5.30pm Monday to Friday (term time only)

The cost is £6.00 an hour or part thereof
Healthy drinks and snacks are offered
We do lots of fun and messy activities as well as outdoor activities, weather permitting


Admissions

We would love to show you our pre-school because we know how important it is to see a setting to check if you feel it is right for your child.

Children can join us from the term after their second birthday for mornings only. From the term after they are three, they can attend for full days.
Childcare funding is currently expanding. To see the childcare funding options that may be available to you please check the government website http://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/. You can find further advice, particularly regarding funding at https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/315/help_with_childcare_costs

Children can move on to Hedgehogs Class in the September after they are four. It is essential that the school place is applied for and our office staff can support this process. Please note that a place in main school cannot be guaranteed. The children are well prepared for this by the range of different activities provided in the Pre-school and moving up with the friends that they have made.

We have regular contact with parents and carers and involve them in their child’s learning. Parents are invited to attend an open session each term. This ensures an opportunity to see the children in their preschool environment, discuss progress and next steps and share any concerns they may have.

Our current session fees are

  • 2 year olds: £6.50 per hour
  • 3+ year olds: £6.00 per hour

Please contact the school office to arrange a viewing and to discuss spaces available within our pre-school.


Weekly Calendar

Forest School Friday

Dormice Class (Pre-School) Staff

Mrs S. Parker

Teacher

EYFS Lead
Computing Lead

Mrs A. Turner-Reed

Class Teacher

Disadvantaged Pupils Lead
Pupil Premium Lead
Physical Education Lead

Mrs L. McGovern

Teaching Assistant

Mrs R. McNamara

Teaching Assistant

Miss S. Partridge

Teaching Assistant

Mrs F. Dancer

Teaching Assistant