Barn Close Pre-School

Our aims are as follows:

To help children learn through play as a part of the National Foundation Stage;

To provide children with a wide range of resources and activities in order to broaden their

experiences and awareness of the world around them;

To encourage children to develop independence, self-management and responsibility;

To encourage children to make effective relationships with other children and adults;

To provide a caring, safe, secure, stimulating and happy environment;

To help children progress at their own rate, acknowledging individual needs and extending

their knowledge, understanding and skills.

Most importantly, to make learning fun!

Barn Close Pre-School is open from 9.15am until 12.15pm every Monday to Friday and

1.00pm to 3.00pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, during term time. There are

three terms in each academic year.  Although we are registered for a maximum number

of 24 children aged 2 years to under 5 years at any one time, we generally offer places to

children as they approach 2½ years of age.

There is always at least one member of staff for every four children under the age of 3

years and at least one member of staff for every eight children over the age of 3 years.

With such a high ratio of staff to children in the Pre-School we are able to:

Children start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born. The

care and education offered by Barn Close Pre-School helps children to continue to do

this by providing all of the children with interesting activities that are appropriate for their

age and stage of development. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which

provides a coherent and flexible approach to care and learning. The EYFS is based around

four themes which are:

A Unique Child - every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.

Positive Relationships - children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.

Enabling Environments - the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning

Learning and Development - children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected.

The EYFS divides children's Learning and Development into six areas:

We have an extensive range of resources to ensure that the children are provided with a

varied selection of activities and toys throughout each session. We provide resources that

are appropriate to each child's age and ability. Each session follows the same routine; this

helps the children to settle and builds confidence, as they always know what is going to

happen next.

We start each session with registration - we all sit together, take the register and talk

about the date and weather.

This is followed by free play - the children choose from the wide selection of resources

and activities. The activities may include; sand and water play, small world play, construction,

home corner, role play, brio, jigsaws, paint and dressing up. The children then help with

tidy-up time.

We sit together on the large mat for Circle Time - we share news, talk about the weeks

topic and sing songs/action rhymes, play instruments or play games.

Rolling Snack - children can choose to have a snack at any time between 10.15 and 11.00.

The snacks include fresh fruit, savoury biscuits, pitta bread, raisins, cheese dip,

sandwiches (made by the children) and milk or water to drink.

At Play Time the children can play with tricycles, scooters, buggies, climbing frame, slide,

balls, trampoline and other large equipment.

The children settle down for Story Time on the large mat before it is time to go home.

"Thanks to you and your lovely team for giving Ruby such a brilliant introduction to nursery life. She has absolutely loved her time with you and

we are extremely grateful for the care and professionalism you have all shown. We are most impressed."

"I would like to thank you and your staff for all of your hard work over the past year. Georgia has had a wonderful time at pre-school and I’m

sure that the experiences and learning that she has gained will set her up well for the start of her primary education."

"Thank you very much for looking after me at my 1st pre-school, and teaching me lots of wonderful things. I have enjoyed my time here so much

and am very sad to leave you and all the other wonderful staff."

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for looking after Imogen so well since January. She absolutely loves her mornings

with you all and I know she has really blossomed in herself, her confidence and academically. We hope she enjoys ‘big school’ just as much – she

will definitely miss you all.

Also, as parents it is very strange leaving your child for the first time and you all made us feel welcome and very happy that she has been

looked after so well."

"The Barn Close Pre-School is such a special, special place. The warmth and friendliness of you all is what makes this pre-school stand out.

Josie has loved her days with you all and her conversation is regularly peppered with ‘at the Barn...’

Thank you so much for everything, myself and Josie have loved the experience!"

"We are all so sad that he will be leaving your pre-school. He has loved every minute of it. He has been completely happy. My husband and

I are thrilled that his first experience of ‘school’ has been so positive and so rewarding. Please thank all the staff for the wonderful care

they have shown him."

"Just wanted to say a big thank you for having made this last year so nice for Ted. His first experience of school has been so positive and

he has always been keen to come to school.

We are very grateful for all your hard work and patience."

"Thank you for giving Jamie such a wonderful year and a bit at ‘the Barn!’ He has loved every minute of it and has always looked forward

to coming. It has been lovely to be able to leave him with you all in the knowledge that he is happy and well cared for.

He will miss you all lots!"

"My husband and I are so grateful for the care you have given to all 3 of our daughters. We really feel you have given them the best

possible start.

It seems to us, having been coming to The Barn for so long, that we are approaching the end of an era! We felt we couldn’t let the girls

leave without thanking you all for your help and support over the last few years, especially through some difficult times. The girls are

tremendously fond of you all, and will remember you with a great deal of affection."

"Thanks to everyone for their understanding and help, she’s definitely built up her confidence! If she had it her way she would attend

everyday (including weekends!)."

"It makes me very sad to leave the Barn as both my boys loved your school and were very happy there. We will all miss you and the ladies,

but look forward to seeing you out and about in Welwyn Garden City.

Thank you for many happy hours; and may your school grow from strength to strength! "

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for all you have done with Grace and Harry. I know they have really enjoyed

attending your school; you and your colleagues have had a really positive influence on them, they will be as sad to go as I will be to

see them leave.

I wish you the best of luck for the coming years and keep doing what you do so well, making a difference with our little ones and

making learning fun."

"May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your hard work. Barn Close Pre-School is so well organised and Lucy has loved every

minute of it. She will definitely miss you all!"

"We would like to thank you for the time Jack has spent with you, he has enjoyed it a lot and we would highly recommend Barn Close

Pre-School. We look forward to seeing you again with Jack’s baby brother. Thanks for taking care of our little man."

"I cannot praise you and your team enough for the lovely start you have given both of my girls, they have really been happy and have

enjoyed their time at The Barn, as well as making wonderful friends there.

It will seem most odd not to be walking up to you each morning, but please remember me for any emergency/holiday cover you may

require, as I am more than happy to help."

"We’d like to thank you and the rest of the excellent staff there for making Issy’s time there so happy! I know that she will miss you

all very much."

"As always, it is such a delight having my children at the Barn. It really is a very special pre-school – please pass on my thanks to all

of the team. I always feel so grateful to have the girls in such good hands. "

"Thank you for making Henry’s time at playgroup so much fun – he will look forward to the next ½ term with all the lovely things you

have planned."

"Adam has been very happy during his time at the Barn Close Pre-School. His confidence and abilities have really excelled during his

time with you. I would like to thank you for making his stay with you so happy. "

"Thank you so much for making pre-school so special for Izzy. She has learnt so much and has thoroughly enjoyed herself. Hopefully

we will see you all again in a couple of years when Phoebe joins you."

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If you would like to register your child with us please contact Janet Beverley on 01707 891869.

If leaving a message, please leave a contact phone number, your name and your child's name and date of birth.

Or email us with a contact phone number, your name and your child's name and date of birth on the address below.

barnclosepreschool@hotmail.co.uk

Visits usually take place the term before your child is due to start. If you require any more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

We are located at:

Friends Meeting House,

Handside Lane,

Welwyn Garden City,

AL8 6PG.

(Please note, this is not a contact address as we are only

on site during Pre-school hours.)