Cygnets Pre-School

Daily life in pre-school

At Cygnets Pre-School we pride ourselves on our understanding of the things that really matter to parents when it comes to childcare. Through the utilisation of our many child care policies and procedures, free settling in sessions for your child, an effective key person system and a key focus on working in partnership with parents at every step, we aim to ensure that your child receives a start second to none.

We operate during term time between 9.00am -3.00pm, offering morning and afternoon sessions plus a lunch club.

We provide a varied and interactive Curriculum that concentrates on the Early Years Foundation Stage and develops all children’s learning needs.This we achieve through a wide range of equipment and resources, where children’s interests are developed.

Our Staff

Staff at Cygnet Preschool are all professionally trained within a range of childcare qualifications. All staff hold a Paediatric first aid certificate and enhanced DBS checks. Cygnet’s staff strive to offer the best possible early education for every child, and all have a great passion with a range of skill sets to ensure a positive learning environment for children to thrive as well as adhering to a range of policies and procedures and keeping up to date with training opportunities.

Our Preschool leader and Designated Safeguard Lead is Natalie Tucker, who has 13 years of childcare experience and holds a level 4 in childcare and development and is studying for an early years degree.

Our Preschool deputy and SENCo is Sophie Saunders, who has worked at Cygnet preschool since 2014 and holds a level 3 diploma in childcare and education.

Cygnets staff is also made up of 3 more staff members who all joined the team in September 2020.

Naomi Wills holds a level 3 diploma in early years and is training to be our deputy safeguard lead.

Sarah Masterman has a level 3 qualification in early years and childcare.

Kelly Reeves has a level 2 qualification in childcare and early years.

We also have an administrator who is Helen Lancaster who maintains the admin between both Sunny Ile and Cygnet preschools.

Transition to school:

We endeavour to ensure that the transition for your child to the next stage of their education is as smooth as possible. Sunny Ile and Cygnet Pre School is part of Greenfylde School. Most of our children transfer to Greenfylde CE First School.  ​

We have excellent relationships with the teachers in the school. The teachers work closely with us to ensure that the curriculum especially in Literacy is a big part of your child’s learning.

The children make visits to ‘big school’ during the Summer Term. The Head Teacher, the Reception teachers and Teaching Assistants also come to visit us at Pre-School.  For children who move on to other schools, which are further afield, we will work with staff at these schools to ensure that they are well informed about the child

Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare:

As a Safeguarding setting, the Pre-Schools are committed to ensuring that all the children in our care are safe and happy. This means that we will do everything we can to ensure we provide a safe environment and minimize risk. The staff as well as parents/carers, has a duty to be aware that abuse does occur. We will take appropriate action on any concerns about the welfare of a child.  ​

Our Child protection Policy is based on the Welfare Requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. We also follow the information provided by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. It is also linked to key commitments of the Early Years Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy. We also have a ‘Whistleblowing Policy’. Please see our Child protection policies for further details

Natalie Tucker is the designated member of staff for Safeguarding Children at Cygnet Preschool.

In her absence the Deputy Designated Person is Cheryl Herrick (Soon to be Naomi Wills)

The Community as a Resource 

In order to provide a rich and varied experience for your child, we visit nearby places such as the local nursing home which provides vital experiences for both children and elderly residents, we also visit local shops, the church, the park, the library and the fire station.

Appropriate staffing ratios will be always maintained. Children will wear high-visibility jackets and will hold the hand of an adult when near the roads.

We also encourage visitors and volunteers to the Pre-School. We have enjoyed pet visits, musical performances, science and math’s workshops and talks from professionals in different occupations as well as stay and read opportunities for parents, carers and grandparents.

Pre-School Fees and Early Years Funding : 

As a registered provider under the government’s Early Years Funding Scheme we receive funding for eligible 3 and 4 year olds.

Please visit ​ www.childcarechoices.gov.uk further information​