admin@thearkpreschoolcrowthorne.org.uk
​Tel: 07827 892397

Prospectus

At The Ark we aim to:
  • Enhance the development and education of children aged between two and five years, in a parent-involving group.
  • Build confidence in the children by learning through play.
  • Develop social skills, encourage spiritual awareness, meet emotional needs, develop intellectual abilities and increase physical co-ordination.
  • Provide a warm, loving, caring and happy group within a Christian environment.
  • Build relationships not only with the children but also with their families so that we can share with them our understanding and experience of God in our lives.
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We offer your child:
  • Continuity of tailored pre-school learning from the age of two and a half to five, with the opportunity to develop their potential at their own pace within a planned curriculum.
  • Qualified and experienced staff members, who are able to give individual care and attention, made possible by a high ratio of adults to children.
  • Opportunities to socialise in a friendly environment. The Pre-School is open for you and your family to be directly involved in the activities of the group and in your own child’s progress.
Sessions
The Ark meets every weekday morning from 9.15 am to 12.15pm during term-time. We are also able to offer lunch clubs from 12.15-1.15pm, if there is enough interest. The maximum number of children per session is 24. This session is for children between the ages of 2 years, and 5 years of age.
There is a staffing ratio of 1:8 maximum during this session, higher ratio of 1:5 for younger children.
We strongly recommend that your child initially attends at least two sessions per week, to help them settle into the setting and routine, and can later be increased. However, in exceptional circumstances we will consider offering a place for one session a week, with the aim to increase this within a half-term, or within a term at the most.
Keyworkers
Our keyworker system gives each member of staff particular responsibility for just a few children.  Each child in the group has one special adult to whom they can relate, which can make settling into the group very much easier. 
In addition, the keyworker is in a position to tailor the group’s curriculum to the unique needs of each child.  The keyworker works closely with parents through shared record-keeping to ensure that all children are supported in reaching their full potential. At pick up time you are welcome to have a chat with your child’s keyworker, once all children have been released to their parents/carers. In addition, you will be invited to meet with your child’s key-worker twice a year, although you are welcome, of course, to discuss progress at any other time.
​Early Education Funding
We are part of the Bracknell Early Years Partnership, which means that we are in receipt of direct funding for three and four year-olds, and it is available from the term after a child’s third birthday, for up to 15 hours per week. Some two year olds are also eligible for funding, if their parents/carers meet certain criteria – see http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/freeentitlementtoearlyeducation.
Prior to this, or if you wish to top up your 15 hours, a charge per session is made: £19.00 for a morning session for under 3 year olds (due to the lower child: adult ratio); £17.00 per morning session for over 3 year olds, and £6.00 per lunch club. (Payment is made following invoices for each half-term.) Nb. from September 2024 our fees will increase to £21 per session for 2 year olds and £18 per session for 3 and 4 year olds. 

Learning Journals
Throughout your child’s time at The Ark their progress will be monitored and recorded, to evaluate their progress, and to ensure they are reaching the expected milestones for their age. Staff regularly observe children taking part in various activities within the setting, and add these observations to our online learning journals, through Tapestry. Parents have secure access to their child's learning journal and can log in at any time to see what they have been doing at The Ark. Parents can also comment on staff observations and add observations to track their development at home. When your child leaves our setting, you are able to download your child's learning journal and we send an electronic copy to their next setting so they can continue the journey of learning and development.
Please be aware that children do NOT need to be toilet trained when they join The Ark, and we will work in partnership with parents/ carers towards toilet training when children are deemed ready. Please see 1.17 of our safeguarding policy for further information.

For a hard copy of our full prospectus, please see the link below or call our administrator, Poppy Brown, on 07827 892397.
We welcome visits to see our setting, so please do call the number above to arrange a suitable time for this.

​If you would like to complete an application form, you can click the link below. This can be printed and completed and returned by post or by to email to:  admin@thearkpreschoolcrowthorne.org.uk