Pre School with Mother & Baby Toddler Groups, Kindergarten, Transition and Nursery.

Pre-School Department

Our Pre-School Department enables children to be included and benefit at a very early age from all that we have to offer. The children in our Pre-School are part of a happy and secure learning environment which continues into the Foundation Stage. We guide the children through the transition into school life in a close partnership with our parents. This relationship, together with the daily routines and plenty of activity and play opportunities, gives children the very best possible start to their school careers. In our Early Years inspection in June 2008, Ofsted gave Hilden Oaks Outstanding status for ‘Teaching and Learning’ and also for ‘Helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do’. Ofsted inspected all areas of early Years provision from the Nursery catering for babies from the age of 3 months up to Reception where children are in their first year of statutory education. The report says “Children are progressing extremely well through the stepping stones towards the early learning goals. Their achievements are excellent.” The report also commented that “children enjoy the company of staff who are warm and attentive, play at their level and communicate with them warmly”. The entry age is flexible at Hilden Oaks and we can plan days or part days to suit both you and your child. Children may arrive from 8am each day and facilities are available until 5.30pm. The Pre-School Department is located in Acorn House which has step-free access to both floors from outside and it's own secure outdoor play and exploration area.

Nursery

Our Nursery for babies from the age of 3 months opened in September 2007. Our professional staff ensure that the youngest members of your family have a home-from-home at Hilden Oaks. Morning, afternoon and late sessions are available for babies to suit your needs. The Nursery is located on the lower floor of Acorn House. Fees for Nursery (2009/10): 1 morning session (8.30am - 12 noon) - £265 per term 1 afternoon session (12 noon - 3.30pm) - £265 per term 1 evening session (3.30 - 5.30pm) - £133 per term

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten sessions are for the youngest children at Hilden Oaks. Kindergarten's home is on the upper floor of Acorn House, next door to the Transition room and with easy access to the Pre-School outdooor area. As in all parts of the Pre-School, sessions can be arranged to suit your family's needs. The Pre-School working in partnership parents ensures that children have a relaxed, but stimulating start to their time at Hilden Oaks. Fees for Kindergarten (2009/10): 1 session (morning or afternoon) - £220 per term Lunch - £17 per term

Transition

The Transition sessions are where the Foundation Stage starts at the age of three. As its name implies, Transition guides children through the time before their full-time education starts in Reception. The aims of the Foundation Stage are that, through a well-planned and resourced curriculum, learning will progress so that all children have the opportunity to succeed in a caring and structured environment. Fees for Transition (2009/10): 1 session (morning or afternoon) - £220 per term Lunch - £17 per term

Parent, Baby & Toddler Group
Our weekly Parent, Baby & Toddler Group is an opportunity for the youngest children and their grown-ups to come into school, get to know us and each other whilst relaxing and playing. Everyone is welcome to join us on Friday mornings, whether already connected to the school or not. Please contact the school office for more information or if you wish to come along.

Lunch is provided for Pre-School children, enabling children to attend all day, if required. The afternoon is structured to ensure that children continue to enjoy school; providing a relaxed, but stimulating, environment that is familiar to them.

The Pre-School department is inspected by both Ofsted and IAPS and therefore follows national frameworks for education, both for Birth to Three and Foundation Stage. The curriculum covered includes: - Personal, social and emotional well-being - Positive attitudes and disposition towards learning - Language and communication - Reading and writing - Maths - Knowledge and understanding of the world - Physical development - Creative development Kindergarten, Nursery, Transition and Reception form the Foundation Stage. In the Summer Term of 2008 the Early Years classes had an OFSTED inspection. This went extremely well, and highlighted the excellent teaching in these classes. If you would like to read this report, please click here http://www.hildenoaks.co.uk/inspectionreport.php