“Little Willows” pre-school has been alive in Walsham for over 20 years, providing childcare and early years education for both the local children and also for those from surrounding areas. In 1999 the village built their own purpose made pre-school after fundraising the necessary money, with this being built on the site of the Primary School. Today, Little Willows is a thriving group offering places for 2½ to 5 year olds, from 8.45am to 2.45pm every week day during term times.
We offer plenty of opportunity for structured free play and the children can choose which area that they would like to play in, whether it be our “home corner”, “writing area”, “book corner”, sand or water play, or the structured activity of the day. Free play can also take place in our pre-school garden.
The emphasis is on play-based learning, giving your child a grounding in the social and academic skills that they will need when they start school. Rising five’s are offered two sessions a week at school to help them settle in, and if you choose to, pre-school staff can deliver your children to school after their morning session and lunch club.
The “Lunch Club” has proved to be very popular with parents and young children alike. For a £2.50 fee, your child can stay at pre-school for a further hour to relax and eat their lunch. You provide a packed lunch and a drink for your child in a small flat container, and we will refrigerate it until lunchtime when the children sit and remain seated to eat their lunch. We encourage them to eat sandwiches first and to eat until they are full.
In January 2004, with the help of a lottery grant, Little Willows had a brand new garden designed and built. All weather surfaces mean that children can get out in the fresh air all year round in a stimulating and safe environment.
Little Willows is a registered educational charity and is run by a committee of parents of the children attending the Little Willows pre-school with the members of the committee changing annually and parents are encouraged to stand for election. The government funds each child of three years old ( the term after their third birthday ), for up to 5 sessions per week. At Little Willows you have the opportunity to book some, all, or even more sessions. We are OFSTED registered and a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance. Please check with the Inland Revenue for your eligibility for working families tax credit for childcare costs.
Session times are 8.45 to 11.15am in the mornings. The Lunch Club, 11.15am to 12.15pm and afternoons, 12.15 to 2.45pm.
Costs are; a 2½ hour funded session free, a 2½ hour unfunded session £7.00, the Lunch Club, £2.50 and Full day care, £16.50.
The Pre-school Supervisor and Special Educational Needs Supervisor is Sarah Soanes.
The Assistant Supervisor and Senco Co-ordinator is Joanne Fisher, and the three Pre-school Assistants are Cheryl Bartholomew, Tina Preston and Helen Fairfull.
