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Marden Pre-School Playgroup


Marden Pre-School Playgroup is an established, term time only setting based in the heart of the village in Marden Memorial Hall since 1967. We cater for up to 45 children per session, aged from 2-5, serving both the local village and surrounding communities. Our Pre-School is an Un-incorporated charity steered by a strong Management Team and enthusiastic Trustees. 

Facilities also offer regular use of the Primary School Playground as well as our own enclosed private garden. We have the use of child friendly accessible toilets, as well as our own bespoke children toilet and handwashing area. For children who are still in nappies we have a high-quality changing station and toilet training facilities. We benefit from the use of a fully equipped kitchen where we prepare healthy snacks.

Meeting the individual needs of all children in our care lies at the heart of Marden Pre-School Playgroups ethos, and we are therefore committed to providing high quality care and education for children. We ensure that we provide an environment that is safe, secure and welcoming. The children's learning and development is recorded, ensuring that the curriculum meets the needs of every child, socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically.

We are fully committed to work in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop.

We aim to nurture self confidence and self-esteem and encourage independence. We do this by providing a rich play environment that promotes children’s rights to explore, question and learn. Each child is given care and attention, is encouraged to participate and learn together.

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Hayley Schlosser
Contact Position
Manager
Telephone
01622 832857
Website
https://www.mardenpreschool.co.uk

Where to go

Address
Marden Primary Academy
Goudhurst Road
Marden
Tonbridge
Kent
Postcode
TN12 9JX

When is it on?

When is childcare available
Term Time Only
Carescheme Age Range:
2 year(s), 3 month(s) to 4 year(s), 5 month(s)
Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 08:45 14:45
Tuesday 08:45 14:45
Wednesday 08:45 14:45
Thursday 08:45 14:45
Friday 08:45 11:45
Other Availability
Children aged 2-3 may attend for morning sessions only.
Childrenaged 3-5 years may attend for either morning sessions, full days, or a combination of each, depending on availability.

Other Details

ECD Type
Preschool
Offers pickups
No
Cost details
Children aged 2-3 £7.50 per hour
Children aged 3-5 £6.50 per hour
3-4 Year Old Funding?
Yes
2 Year Old Funding?
Yes
Total vacancies
0
Vacancies Details
We are currently unable to offer spaces for any aged children. However we have a waiting list for families wishing to start with us from September 2024.
Immediate vacancies?
No
Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?
Yes
Vacancy Information Last updated Date
01/03/2024
Facilities
Music, Literacy and Numeracy, Computers / It, Messy Play Area, Cookery, Outdoor Adventure Play Area, Toys/dolls, Dressing Up, Dance, Outdoor Activities, Themed Sessions, Tv/video/dvd, Play House, Training Rooms, Parks/playgrounds, Water Play, Games / Puzzles, Visits and Outings, Garden, Walks, Sandpit, Arts And Crafts, Scooter, Reading, Woodwork, Refreshments, Books, Internet Connection, Sensory Room, Bike, Kitchen, Car Parking, Soft Play Area, Library - Storytimes For Children Aged 2-4 Yrs, Songs, Slide, Climbing Frame, Stories, Library - Storytimes For Children Aged 3-5 Yrs, Sports
Notes

From April 2024 we offer a Breakfast Club which is from 07:45-08:45 it is charged at £2.50 per 15mins that the club is used plus £2 for breakfast if required. We also offer after Pre-School Care which runs from 14:45-15:10 this is charged at £5. 

Languages Spoken:
English
Wheelchair Access
Yes

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
127367
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

30 Hours Extended Entitlement

Registered to provide up to 30 hours entitlement
Yes
30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement)

We offer the extended entitlement for all 3 and 4 Year olds. This can be taken as you wish over the 27 hours that we are open per week.

 

We currently DO NOT offer funding for working parents of 2 year olds - this will come into place from September 2024. 

Service status

Status
Open

Local Offer

Special Needs Support

As part of the settings policy to make sure it's provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs a child may have. Marden Pre-School works to the requirements of he Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2014). 

This includes have a designated Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, this is Alison Hepburn. The SENCO is responsible for ensuring that every child is developing and will liaise with parents, other professionals and outside agencies. This is to ensure that your child is able to reach their  full potential. All information is treated in the strictest confidence and our confidentiality policy is adhered to at all times. 

When your child starts at our setting the key person spends time getting to know your child, we like to learn about your child’s likes / dislikes and interests. We also welcome any information that parents / carers want to pass on to us. We complete observations within the 7 areas of learning of the EYFS on your child, and these are document within you childs learning journey. The setting SENCO monitors children’s progress and stages of development, and will talk to parents / carers and the Key person if she has any concerns regarding a child’s progress.

We complete a Progress check on each child aged 2 years, these checks are shared with parents, and any concerns are also discussed at this time.

If we have any worries about a child, we will always discuss these with the child’s parent / carer, we will at this point decide if a child needs further monitoring or a targeted plan to aid their learning. Our SENDCO is available at any time to discuss any concerns that parents may have about their child.

The EYFS framework allows to plan individually for all children that attend the setting. If needed we will adapt our setting and the way we offer resources, for example, we would offer activities in a tuff spot or on a rug on the floor rather than on a table.

Our Key persons are skilled at adapting and changing the activities to suit individual children, they are able to make activities easier or harder depending on the need of that child. No child will be excluded from any area or from any activity within the Pre-School.

We ensure that targeted and personalised plans are unique to the child they are written for and plans ensure that all children make the best possible progress for them regardless of need or disability.

 

Each child is individually planned for in order to further their development and learning. Personalised plans and targets are used to inform planning and observations and photos are captured by the child’s key person for their Learning Journey

As a setting we use lots of visuals and visual cues for all of the children. We use visual timetables to show the children the routine of the setting. 

We closely follow the advice and recommendations from any outside agencies involved with a child such as the Specialist Teaching and Learning Service, Speech and language therapists, occupational Therapists etc.

We have a quiet cosy area available should a child want to sleep or rest.

SENDCO is constantly evaluating the learning and development of the children and helps the Key Person provide targeted or individual plans for the children that need them. When possible, we access additional funding allowing us to offer augmented care or purchase specialised equipment for a particular child. We access regular training opportunities to ensure we are up to date with current SEN issues and advice. Our staff are skilled at getting to know the children and their interests and at adjusting activities to enable children to progress at their own rates. We have good links with the local Children’s Centre and are able to pass on referrals to them should a parent / carer wish us to do so.

Each child has a Key Person who takes regular observations in the form of photographs  and text of the children. Baseline assessments are conducted when a child starts with us, and summative assessments are carried out 3 times per year. The setting Manager checks all of these assessments to look for areas of development that may need additional planning for. She will then speak with SENDCO and Key person who will work together with parents on the child's next steps. All targeted and personalised plans are reviewed regularly to monitor achievement and set new targets. We are always available to discuss your child’s progress toward targets and also offer One formal parent consultation per year for a more formal discussion, alongside a further 2 more informal discussions where the parents and Key Person with go through you childs Learning Journey. 

Our staff are skilled at offering differentiated planning for individual children’s needs. All children are fully included in all aspects of the setting, this includes trips out and nursery plays. Additional staff are put in place for such events and no child will ever be excluded.

Our setting is all on one ground floor level, the setting is easily accessible via the main door via ramp. We have hard flooring areas throughout the setting, allowing children to move freely around. Our room is large and airy, and gives enough space for all. Toys and resources are stored in accessible drawers and cupboards. Our garden area is accessed via a ramp and is on one level.

We pride ourselves on our school transitions. We have close links with our local schools and arrange visits for the children before they leave us. We meet with the teachers of the schools and discuss each child, their progress, and any particular need they may have. We encourage the school to speak with you as parents / carers to alleviate any anxiety you may have about your child’s transition. We send over to the schools information regarding progress, learning levels, likes and interests, particular dislikes etc. to enable the school staff to have some knowledge regarding your child. We provide opportunities for the children to practice putting on their shoes and coats or to try on school uniform, we have displays of photographs of ‘Big School’ for the children to look at and refer to.

The SENDCO goes to regular SENDCO forum meetings in order to remain up to date with current legislation and issues. We are able to access LIFT meetings to gain support and request specialist guidance. We hold regular staff meetings in order that our staff are kept fully informed of up to date information. Parents are invited in to review their child’s targeted or personalise plans, and their views are always taken into account.

Please contact the nursery and we will arrange a visit for you and your child to the setting so that you can see us in action. Our manager will show you around and you will be able to meet with our SENDCO to discuss your child’s additional needs if you wish to do so. We offer settling a session for each and every child.

We have an open door policy and are available to speak to parents when needed. We use parent questionnaires as a way for parents to tell us what they think of the setting and what we offer the children. We take on board suggestions and comments regarding improvements or ideas. We have a complaints procedure that parents are able to access either in the setting or via our cloud.

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