Preschool

We are looking forward to your child joining the Endless Joy (E.J) Preschool. We want you to know that they will be nurtured and well cared for. Our dedicated staff strive to ensure that your children feel happy in their environment and feel part of the school community. We are sure that parents will want to know more about the E.J department and how they can support their child’s transition. Please take the time to read the information provided and, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The staff strive to provide an inspiring, stimulating and exciting environment where everyone feels valued, safe and well cared for. We want children to have fun and enjoy success in all aspects of their education and this is helped with all classrooms leading directly onto the playground.

School Hours

The Endless Joy preschool day is structured as:
08:45 am – 09:00 am Children arrive
02:15 pm – 02:30 pm End of school day
We expect parents to be punctual at drop off and pick up times.
Class Allocation
The Endless Joy Preschool is made up of Nursery and Pre-KG. There are three Nursery classes and four Pre-KG classes with a maximum class size of 30. Ten Nursery or Pre-KG with one Teacher. A maximum of 30 children attending each session. Each teaching room has a Smart Board and access to a set of Computer and TV.
We try to ensure equal allocation of the following in classes:
• number of pupils
• ratio of boys and girls
• number of children that need learning support
We recognize:
• That every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
• The importance of positive relationships – children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.
• That the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.
• That children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and inter-connected.
Teaching and Learning
We follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum. There are three prime areas of learning:
• Personal, Social and Emotional development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
The specific areas of learning are:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive arts and design
Managing Behaviour
Our approach
A very important part of learning, especially in the Early Years is Personal, Social, Emotional development. This may be the first time that a child has had to share toys and start to consider the feelings of others. Inevitably there will be times when the staff have to help a child understand that a type of behaviour displayed is not acceptable in school
and this is the way we deal with these situations:
• Firstly we explain why the behaviour displayed is not acceptable in school and ask that the child does not repeat it.
• If the behaviour is repeated we explain again why the child should not behave in this way and what will happen if the behaviour is repeated.
• If the behaviour is repeated we take the action mentioned to the child (ie: perhaps coming inside or sitting quietly to think for a while.)
We do not use the phrase “naughty chair” and if a child is asked to sit for a while we give them a minute or 2 minute timer.
It is important for young children that we address these incidents immediately and that we are consistent. Sometimes a situation will be dealt with by staff and they will not feel it necessary to involve parents but sometimes we may need your help – perhaps to explain to a child in their own language why a behaviour is not acceptable in the classroom and sometimes to work with the staff in trying to manage a behaviour at home and in school.
Observations
Part of our job as Preschool practitioners is to observe the children at various times and record these observations.
Through our observations of the children interacting and at play we can discover many things.
• Personal interests/dislikes
• Level of knowledge/ability
• Social skills and much more…
Our observations help us to plan the next steps to provide for the needs of each child and also help us to assess how each child is learning and their developmental levels.
School Uniform
Only branded school items can be purchased from our School. For non-branded items, you can purchase them from Marks & Spencer or other external retailers.
Class Parents
Each class will have one or two class parents. They will update you and remind you about things happening in your child’s class – such as term themes, non-uniform days, class events etc.
Snacks & Lunch
Children need fruit or a similar healthy snack for snack time every day. This is eaten in the classroom. Snacks should be packed in a named, plastic box. Children need a water bottle so that they can drink water throughout the day.
Children need to eat their lunch at school. Parents can either supply the lunch from home or can arrange for lunch to be provided by catering service.
Birthday
Children are welcome to celebrate their birthday in school and often bring a small individual ‘treat’ to share with their class at snack time, e.g. a small plain cupcake, a small box of raisins or some fruit.
Sickness
If your child is unwell then they must stay at home. If symptoms include vomiting or diarrhea they must stay at home for 24 hours after they were last ill.
A child who has had a fever (temperature above 37.5) must be free of the fever without medication for 24 hours before returning to school.
The Head of School has the right to exclude pupils from school if they feel a pupil is too sick to attend and/or are causing risk of infection to others.
The Head of School may exclude pupils who have, or are suspected of having a contagious disease. Parents must inform the School if their child has been diagnosed with a contagious disease.
This will be communicated to all parents including the symptoms and possible side effects. Parents are advised to contact a doctor should they feel concerned.
Absence Procedure
Absence due to illness:
Call or email the Receptionists before 9.00 am.
You only need to notify us on the first day that your child is absent; you do not need to call every day.
Absence due to holiday or family events:
Complete a ‘Leave of Absence Form’.
You can always find the form office.
If you do not notify us when your child is absent from
School, we will contact you to ensure that your child
is at home.
Your Contact Information Keeping up-to-date
Please ensure that the School has your most recent contact information. If you move house, please ensure that you have provided details of your new address.