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I'm starting...what do I need to bring?
With starting at Low Fell Preschool we know the first day can be daunting, so follow our checklist below to help you start with confidence. If we need you to send in more supplies, we will leave a slip in your child's bag at the end of the day.
New Starter Checklist - Please put name labels on everything!
- Labelled with your child's name Wellies - Necessary for our splashing in muddy puddles activities 🙂 If you like, send in wellies and they can stay with us the whole year so you don't need to remember to check the weather every day for rain.
- Labelled Sunscream - SPF 50+ is recommended to keep back the Costa Del Gateshead rays.
- A labelled awesome Sun hat
- Labelled Spare Clothes (x1 set) (at preschool until used, then wash and bring back)
- If not potty trained, a labelled pack of Nappies
- A labelled pack of baby wipes
- Labelled Required Medications (to remain in their original containers)
- Labelled Water Bottle (comes home at the end of the day)
- Labelled Packed Lunch Box/Bag - lunch is not provided, please bring in a cold lunch!
What do I put in lunch?
Now that we're here...let's talk about lunch
Every day your child attends, please send in a cold packed lunch in a bag or box that is clearly labelled. Focus is on healthy food. Here's some inspiration! Sandwich, pasta, rice or noodles. Chicken, ham, cheese or tuna. Crisps or crackers, yogurt, custard, fruit. a small chocolate biscuit or mini rice cakes.
Some foods are choking hazards, Please cut GRAPES, cherry tomatoes and blueberries length way.
There are children in our pre-school who have allergies to nuts, eggs and potentially others not labelled here. Please, please, please do not pack anything with nuts in the lunchboxes.
Some foods are choking hazards, Please cut GRAPES, cherry tomatoes and blueberries length way.
There are children in our pre-school who have allergies to nuts, eggs and potentially others not labelled here. Please, please, please do not pack anything with nuts in the lunchboxes.
Some ideas
Small sandwich (with the crusts cut off, of course...), small piece of fruit, bit of cheese and a yogurt.
Even more ideas
Small sandwich, but the crusts still attached if your pre-schooler is more accepting, some pringles/crisp, small fruit portion and a couple of biscuits.
Questions you may have
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting preschool is a big step, and we’re here to make it as joyful and straight-forward as we can. Whether you’re wondering what to pack, how sessions work, or what happens on your child’s first day, our FAQ and New Starters Checklist give you everything you need in one easy place. Think of it as your little guide to helping your bairn settle in, make friends, and love it from day one.
You've scrolled past the new startes checklist, it's at the top of the page. But if you need more re-assurance just contact us!
Yes. We provide gentle settling-in sessions so your child can explore the preschool at their own pace while you stay nearby. If you'd like to come and visit do message us and let us know so we can arrange suitable times and dates with you.
We have limited parking nearby. Please use designated drop-off areas safely and avoid blocking driveways or access routes.
We have a spacious indoor area, that is grouped by class and focus, e.g. reading corner, home corner etc as well as a large outdoor space the kids can roam about safely. Both inside and outside have plenty of toys and furniture!
Please let us know as soon as possible. Children should stay home if they have a fever, sickness, diarrhoea, or any contagious illness. Follow the 48-hour rule after sickness/diarrhoea.
We follow local term dates. Preschool is closed during holidays, bank holidays, and staff training days. Term dates are listed on our website. Please note all registered sessions have to be paid for, whether you are on holiday or a child is sick/absent.
We host fun events throughout the year including seasonal parties, dress-up days, stay-and-play sessions, and family celebrations.
We accept funded hours, childcare vouchers, and direct payments. Invoices are sent monthly with clear breakdowns of sessions attended.
Doors open at 8:40am for morning sessions. Staff greet your child and help them settle in. Pick-up is from the main entrance at the end of each session.
If someone else is collecting your child please inform the staff. Try and introduce staff to the person picking your child up. We can also use a password if you wish. Unfortunately, we cannot allow under 16s to pick up a child as per EYFS standards.
If someone else is collecting your child please inform the staff. Try and introduce staff to the person picking your child up. We can also use a password if you wish. Unfortunately, we cannot allow under 16s to pick up a child as per EYFS standards.
Absolutely. We welcome children of all abilities and work closely with families and professionals to provide the right support.
Breakfast: 8:00–8:45
Morning: 8:45–11:45
Lunch: 11:45–12:15
Afternoon: 12:15–3:15
After Preschool: 3:15–4:15
Whilst we understanding life happens and you could be late, if late collections become more persistent, we may charge £5 for every 15 minutes over. If you will be late, please try to contact us so we are aware. After 15 minutes of lateness, we will try and contact you.
Morning: 8:45–11:45
Lunch: 11:45–12:15
Afternoon: 12:15–3:15
After Preschool: 3:15–4:15
Whilst we understanding life happens and you could be late, if late collections become more persistent, we may charge £5 for every 15 minutes over. If you will be late, please try to contact us so we are aware. After 15 minutes of lateness, we will try and contact you.
We use email, newsletters, and friendly chats at drop-off and pick-up. We also share updates about your child’s learning and progress.
All staff are trained in safeguarding and follow strict policies to ensure every child’s safety and wellbeing. Please see our safeguarding policies and all relevant information in our preschool section.
Complete our online registration form. Once submitted, we’ll contact you to confirm availability and next steps.
We have a security system in place, where all doors to the building are locked, and our inside doors have safe locks on them. We ask visitors to sign in and out. We have CCTV to the front of the building so we can monitor visitors/cars. Our outdoor space is protected by a high wall, as well as very high fences (on the outside perimeter) to keep the children safe.
We provide 1/3 pint of milk, and your donation towards snacks is for fruit, cereal, crackers, toast/crumpets, as well as water. No child goes hungry!
Each member of staff have a Keyworker group, your child be designated a keyworker when they start pre-school. Your keyworker is responsible for ensuring your child is settling into pre-school, for identifying their needs, for filling in developmental records and learning journal for parents (Tapestry app as well), working in partnership with parents. Small group time is also carried out in Keyworker groups. All staff are involved in the care of every child, but it is necessary to have a specific keyworker for each child.
We encourage good relationships with our parents which are built on good communication, mutual likings and respect, trust and the simple fact we are all working towards the same goal: healthy, happy and well cared-for children. We value the roles aprents have already played in the early education of their child and recognise this is crucial in the learning of your child. Information is shared between staff and parents on a daily basis, we have a learning journey for your child, which you will be asked to take an active part in sharing information with us.
As well as this lovely shiny new website, we have a noticeboard in our cloakroom, which is updated regularly, with the topic of the week, snack, any dates coming up and any other relevant information.
In terms of social media, we have a public facebook page as well as a private instagram.
We update this regularly. We have a sharing sheet each week with your child, anything you have been doing, including photos, pictures and tickets etc.
And most importantly, we have the Tapestry app, where we regularly update you through pictures and words about what your child has been up to!
In terms of social media, we have a public facebook page as well as a private instagram.
We update this regularly. We have a sharing sheet each week with your child, anything you have been doing, including photos, pictures and tickets etc.
And most importantly, we have the Tapestry app, where we regularly update you through pictures and words about what your child has been up to!
This is completely fine, and as we're not "mandatory" attendance like a school, you are able to take your child as you need. Please let staff know as soon as possible, via text or in person that this appointment will happen.
We know little ones absolutely love bringing personal items/toys etc but we ask that you can certainly show us at the beginning (who doesn't love sparkly unicorn toys?), but we ask that none come into the pre-school as we will definitely not know if it belongs to a child and we don't want disappointed faces. We have plenty of toys and activities within the pre-school. If your child has particular comforts they need, please talk to us about it so we can make sure they feel settled and safe at Pre-School.
During hot weather, please put on sun cream on your child beforehand, as well as their favourite sunhat, even cool sunglasses as a bonus.
If it's wet and miserable, if you haven't already sent in wellies, please send them in on the day.
If it's wet and miserable, if you haven't already sent in wellies, please send them in on the day.
1. Only prescribed medication may be administered. It must be indeed prescribed for the current condition.
2. Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend pre-school.
3. Children's prescribed drugs are stored in the original containers, are clearly labelled and are not accessible by the children.
4. Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. This states the name of the child, name/s of the parent(s), date the medication starts, the name of he medication and prescribing doctor, the dose and times, or how and when the medication is to be administered. You will be asked to completed a prescribed medication form.
5. The administration is recorded accurately each time it is given and signed by staff. Parents sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of the medicine.
6. If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided with the relevant member of staff by health professionals.
7. At the time of administration to the preschool, parents written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date the written approval.
What about calpol?!
Good question...
As a preschool that is open full days, we will accept non-prescribed medication e.g. Calpol Paracetamol. You will be asked to complete a form, of which you will be given a copy of.
2. Children taking prescribed medication must be well enough to attend pre-school.
3. Children's prescribed drugs are stored in the original containers, are clearly labelled and are not accessible by the children.
4. Parents give prior written permission for the administration of medication. This states the name of the child, name/s of the parent(s), date the medication starts, the name of he medication and prescribing doctor, the dose and times, or how and when the medication is to be administered. You will be asked to completed a prescribed medication form.
5. The administration is recorded accurately each time it is given and signed by staff. Parents sign the record book to acknowledge the administration of the medicine.
6. If the administration of prescribed medication requires medical knowledge, individual training is provided with the relevant member of staff by health professionals.
7. At the time of administration to the preschool, parents written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is sought. Parents sign and date the written approval.
What about calpol?!
Good question...
As a preschool that is open full days, we will accept non-prescribed medication e.g. Calpol Paracetamol. You will be asked to complete a form, of which you will be given a copy of.
We ask that you endeavour to be on time, or early, to pick up your child. We understand life throws boomerangs, or closed flyovers and Tyne bridge down to one lane... so please call us as soon as you can to let us know what is happening.
In the event of a child not being collected after a session, we do the following:
After 10 minutes:
1. We will check for any information about changes to the normal collection routines first.
2. If there's no information, or no changes, we will attempt to contact through all the contact numbers provided, starting with the primary contact.
3. We will repeat until we get through to someone.
Note: the child does not leave the premises with anyone other than those named on the registration form in their file.
________________________________
In the very rare case that a whole hour passes and your precious bairn is not collected... we have to do the following:
1. Contact the local authority social services care teams.
2. The child stays at preschool until safely collected either by parents or social care worker.
3. Social care will attempt to find the parent or relative. If they are unable to do so, the child will be looked after by the local authority.
4. Staff will not take the child home, and a full written report of the incident is recorded in the child's file.
In the event of a child not being collected after a session, we do the following:
After 10 minutes:
1. We will check for any information about changes to the normal collection routines first.
2. If there's no information, or no changes, we will attempt to contact through all the contact numbers provided, starting with the primary contact.
3. We will repeat until we get through to someone.
Note: the child does not leave the premises with anyone other than those named on the registration form in their file.
________________________________
In the very rare case that a whole hour passes and your precious bairn is not collected... we have to do the following:
1. Contact the local authority social services care teams.
2. The child stays at preschool until safely collected either by parents or social care worker.
3. Social care will attempt to find the parent or relative. If they are unable to do so, the child will be looked after by the local authority.
4. Staff will not take the child home, and a full written report of the incident is recorded in the child's file.
All registered sessions are to be paid for, regardless of whether you use them or not, that includes holidays.
Sometimes we have special themes or events and may ask you to being in an item, but we will give plenty of notice.
Your child will get to choose a book to take home for a week to share with their family from our library corner. When your books are returned, then you get a new one. We will also provide a library bag with your child's name on to use.
As children learn through play, most of our session is around the children playing. Most days we take turns going outside, having group times and children accessing snacks. We have registration and circle time at the beginning of each day to set familiarity for the children and at the end of the day we have story or song time.
Tapestry is the app we use at Pre-school to keep you updated about your child's day! We upload pictures and observations you can follow.
In that case...please contact us through the website, facebook or instagram...or come and speak to us at the pre-school!