Cobham Community Pre-School has been serving local families and children for over 30 years from our home in the village of Cobham in Kent. We provide quality care and education for children from the age of 2½ years until starting school. We run a wide variety of activities for our children, five days a week during term time.
Cobham Community Pre-School
Who to contact
- Contact Name
- Kerry Sheppard
- Contact Position
- Manager
- Telephone
- 07562 666408
- preschoolcobham@gmail.com
- Website
- www.cobhampreschool.org.uk/
Where to go
- Address
-
Cobham
Gravesend
Kent - Postcode
- DA12
When is it on?
- When is childcare available
- Term Time Only
- Carescheme Age Range:
- 2 year(s), 6 month(s) to 4 year(s), 11 month(s)
- Opening Times
-
Opening Times Day Opening Time Closing Time Monday 9.15 3.00 Tuesday 9.15 3.00 Wednesday 9.15 3.00 Thursday 9.15 3.00 Friday 9.15 11.45
Other Details
- Table of costs
-
Table of costs Amount Cost Type £15.00 Per session £6 Per lunch - ECD Type
- Preschool
- Offers pickups
- No
- Cost(s)
- Cost details
-
Session charges are only made for children not eligible for Universal Funding (15hrs of funded early education)
or for additional sessions taken above the funded allocation. Lunch sessions are not covered by funding. - 3-4 Year Old Funding?
- Yes
- 2 Year Old Funding?
- Yes
- Vacancies Details
- Children can be added to our waiting list at any time from birth until the term before they start. We are currently taking applications for September 2023 and beyond.
- Places Range
-
Places Range Start Age End Age Places 0 5 28 - Immediate vacancies?
- No
- Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?
- Yes
- Vacancy Information Last updated Date
- 07/08/2022
- Facilities
- Arts And Crafts, Scooter, Music, Messy Play Area, Books, Toys/dolls, Dressing Up, Nursery, See-Saw, Outdoor Activities, Car Parking, Trike, Songs, Play House, Slide, Climbing Frame, Stories, Water Play, Games / Puzzles, Play Room, Visits and Outings, Garden
- Notes
We are a community based, voluntary managed, pre-school set in its own large room within the village hall. The room is equipped for a wide variety of activities and includes a reading area, a role play and dressing up area. We also have sole use of a large garden with a playhouse, playframe, mud kitchen, ride on toys and slides. For some sessions we use an additional room for extra activities. We also have regular visitors offering additional activities such as music, animals, athletics and yoga. We are staffed by seven well-qualified and experienced members of staff. We run mixed, free-flow sessions for children aged 2.5yrs until school reception age, including special sessions for children in their last year before starting reception.
- Languages Spoken:
- English
- Wheelchair Access
- No
Ofsted Information
- Ofsted URN
- 127119
- Link to latest ofsted inspection report
- Inspection history
-
Inspection History Inspection Date Inspection type Inspection Outcome 28/02/2007 Integrated Good 11/11/2010 Inspection (Early Years Register) Good 22/06/2015 Inspection (Early Years Register) Outstanding 18/06/2019 Inspection (Early Years Register) Good
Service status
- Status
- Open
Local Offer
Special Needs Support
How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND?
At Cobham Community Preschool we keep detailed assessment records on all children based on observations made by staff, including the Progress Check at age 2. The assessments cover all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, as well as Characteristics of Effective Learning. Through observation and assessment we can identify children who may need further support.
How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?
Each child has a "key person" who will be your main point of contact. In addition we also have a well trained and experienced Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator (SENco). We use an online assessment system to enable parents to see what their child is doing at the preschool as well as offering regular parent meetings. Parents and carers are fully involved in every stage of the child's personal plans and targets.
How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs?
We continuously adapt our provision and planning to make it as appropriate as possible for all of our children. We also welcome your input and suggestions from specialist teachers and the child's family. As well as more general training in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the staff have also completed training to support children with speech and language delay, autism and we regularly use Makaton with all of the children.
What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties?
We plan for every "unique" child using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Characteristics of Effective Learning. Our well-trained SENco liaises with agencies as necessary to ensure that recommendations are carried through. We use an online observation and assessment system which allows you to see the progress your child is making as well as adding your own observations. We arrange regular meetings with all parents to ensure they remain a part of their child's learning journey.
As well as more general training in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the staff have also completed training to support children with speech and language delay, autism and we regularly use Makaton with all of the children.
What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND?
We support a close working relationship between parents and carers, the child's key person and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENco). We write personalised plans which are agreed and reviewed with parents and carers. Our SENco regularly monitors all children with additional needs and we can provide information to families about training and support within the local area.
How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this?
We regularly observe all children and keep track of their progress using an online learning journey which can be accessed and added to by parents and carers. A written report about each child's progress is shared 3 times each year and followed up by parent meetings where appropriate. We regularly review and monitor all personalised plans with parents and carers.
How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips?
We involve parents and carers as needed and ensure we have a good ratio of staff to children. We complete risk assessments and research different activities and outings to ensure they can be suitable for all of our children.
How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users?
The building and garden are accessible by ramps. There are 3 steps to the preschool room although we have previously used a ramp to aid access. There is a disabled toilet and changing area and disabled parking spaces outside the building.
How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school?
We encourage visits both to the new setting and to Cobham Community Preschool from staff at the new setting or school. We pass on any reports about the child that will help with their transition and our SENco will contact the SENco of the new setting or school.
How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation?
Our SENco regularly attends meetings and forums to keep up to date and allow her to assess our provision. Our parents complete questionnaires about the setting and we encourage them to add their child's voice to these questionnaires. All of this information feeds back into our self evaluation and action plans.
Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting?
Please visit our website for details about our admissions: https://www.cobhampreschool.org.uk/admissions.html
We would recommend arranging a visit to the preschool before you make an application, which will give you the opportunity to speak to the Manager and SENco. Please email us to arrange your visit.
What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints?
As well as our open door policy, we ask for feedback via our questionnaires. Cobham Community Preschool is managed by a committee of parents which you will also have the opportunity to join. We also have a Complaints policy which is available on our website: Our Policies and other Information (cobhampreschool.org.uk)