About / OFSTED

We are proud to announce that following an Ofsted inspection on  April 18th 2012, Ilkley Pre-School Playgroup has been rated OUTSTANDING IN ALL AREAS. This is the highest mark achievable.

Amongst the many positive comments that the inspector made, she observed that “the management of all aspects of children’s learning and welfare is exemplary in the setting” and that “children make outstanding progress in their learning”.  She also observed that “the children are very happy and secure in a highly inclusive and welcoming environment where expectations are high”.

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It is our mission to work in partnership with parents to provide a safe and stimulating environment which includes and supports all children.  Children are encouraged to become healthy, independent learners who achieve their full potential and are ready for their transition into school.

By coming to pre-school, your child will gain confidence outside the home, learn to interact with others and become more comfortable with the daily routines of school.

We have been providing pre-school education for over forty years and act as a feeder for a number of local schools, including All Saints, Sacred Heart and Ashlands.

Pre-school is run by a dedicated committee comprising parents and staff to ensure that all children have a caring, safe and happy pre-school experience.

Where and When

You will find us at The Friends Meeting House, Queens Road, Ilkley. Pre-school sessions run every weekday morning 9.15am – 12.15pm, except Thursday which is 9.00am – 12.00pm. On Thursdays we also offer a lunch club and an afternoon session until 3.00pm.

Fees
A registered charity, we keep fees to a minimum as we simply cover our costs and do not make a profit from running pre-school.
Fees are £11.00 per session. Once your child reaches three years old, they are eligible for the Nursery Education Fund. Sessions are then free, provided your child does not attend another pre-school or nursery.

Curriculum
Pre-school is affiliated to the OFSTED system, and has regular inspections.

Following the most recent inspection in April 2012 the pre-school was rated OUTSTANDING IN ALL AREAS. We are obviously very proud of all the staff, committee members and parents who work so hard to make the pre-school such a happy place to play and learn.

For the full Ofsted report, please visit: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/301962

Our weekly timetable reflects the six main areas of learning set out by OFSTED. These are:

1. Language / Literacy
2. Mathematical
3. Personal / Social
4. Physical
5. Creative
6. Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Daily activities are based around a chosen topic such as ‘Space’ or ‘Nursery Rhymes’. A topic list is given to parents at the start of each half-term.

Parental Involvement
Getting involved in Pre-school can be fun and rewarding for you as well as for your child. Pre-school has a ’stay and play’ rota to enable every child’s parents or carers have the chance to take part in a session on a regular basis. Stay-and-play enables you to get to know other parents, pre-school children and staff and is particularly invaluable when your child first starts pre-school, or if you are new to the area.

We have a calendar of enjoyable areas for parents to take part in from the annual fundraising quiz night, to social evenings at a local pub.

We welcome parents to join the pre-school Committee. We have dedicated posts from Chair to Fundraising, Marketing and Admissions. So come and get involved; you can really make a difference, further your work experience and help make sure we continue to offer the best in education and play.