Em's stars pre-school at St Joseph's FAQ's
Do you do settle in days?
If you would like your child to have some settling in days (shorter/less days) in September please contact us to arrange. We will work with parents who request settle in sessions if they feel their child requires them.
What time is Drop Off?
Preschool Children (3-4years) can be dropped off between 8.45am and 9am.
Playgroup Children (2-3years) can be dropped off at 9am.
We open on Monday 2nd September 2024.
Where do I drop off my child?
Em's Stars use the entrance to St Joseph's Primary School on Fairview Road.
Morning Drop off- Please drop off your child at the pre-school door
Lunchtime pick up/drop off- Please wait at the Em's Stars sign on Fairview Road and we will open the gates at 12/1pm. If you are late please ring the number on the sign.
3:30pm pick up- Please collect your child from the pre-school door
How do I report an absence?
If your child is absent from pre-school or if you have a message about your child for the day e.g. a different person is collecting that they are attending you can text or call our mobile to let us know.
07359882280
Does my child need to be Potty Trained?
All children learn to use the toilet at different stages, staff will work with the family to ensure that routines match those at home, working together to encourage going to the toilet independently. If your child is still in nappies this is fine, please provide nappies/pull ups or spare underwear in your child’s back pack as well as wipes.
Do you provide lunch?
If your child is staying for lunch (12pm-1pm) they will be required to bring their own packed lunch. You are welcome to provide a cold packed lunch or a warm alternative in a flask. We will not be able to heat food in pre-school. At Em's Stars we promote healthy eating and would request that lunch boxes reflect this.
Does my child need a water bottle?
Please provide a water bottle for your child for each session, they will be encouraged to use this throughout the day. Please ensure it is clearly labelled. We are happy for children to have juice in their water bottle.
Do you provide snacks?
Fresh fruit/vegetables and a snack such as crackers, breadsticks, rice cakes will be provided by the preschool to children during each session. Milk and water will also be offered to children.
Does my child have to wear a uniform?
Uniform is optional, however we do recommend your child wears a uniform as we like to encourage creative play as much as possible so they may get messy.
Our uniform is a white polo shirt, red sweatshirt or cardigan and grey trousers/skirt/dress.
You can purchase uniform from most supermarkets or you can order from Servisure or Gills School Shop who have our Em's Stars Logo on file;
Pre-School St Josephs Primary School (servisuredirect.co.uk)
Ems Stars Pre-School – Gills School Shop
We recommend that children have Velcro closing shoes to encourage independence.
Please make sure all items of your child's uniform are labelled.
Please ensure children are dressed appropriately for lots of outdoor play. A spare set of under and outer wear for your child should be provided in their bag.
Will my child have a key worker?
All children will have a key worker, they will meet their key worker during their first week of pre-school. We will inform you of your child’s key worker.
How will I be able to see what my child has been doing in pre-school
We use an app called Tapestry. All parents will have their own log in and can view observations uploaded by their child's key worker. All children will have one observation per week uploaded on to the app.
We post weekly updates on our Facebook page to show you the activities the children have been doing.
We send a weekly email (every Friday) to pass any messages to parents and to share our topic of the week, we attach our planning for parents to view as sometimes you may wish to use some of the activities at home.
We hold parent meetings twice a year to discuss your child's progress.
How do I get funding?
We offer places for 2-year funding, working parents funding and 3/4 year old funding.
You can find out more at: Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Why do I have to pay for Snack and consumables?
All children fee paying or funded with be invoiced 86p per day to cover the extra cost of providing healthy snacks and any extra consumables in that term.
How do I pay fees?
Invoices for non-funded hours will be sent out via Tapestry at the beginning of each half term. Invoices must be paid within three weeks of it being issued
Em's Stars accept BACS payments(details to be given on invoice), childcare vouchers, as well as Tax Free Childcare payments.