We accept 15 and 30 hour funded places - more information below
Before and After School care available - more information below
Applications now being accepted for Children from their 3rd Birthday
Pre-School
Welcome to St Joseph’s Pre-school
At St Josephs’ Early Years we recognise the importance of giving our children the best possible start to their education by planning and implementing teaching and learning opportunities that support them in reaching their full potential. We provide a fun and engaging curriculum, working with parents and families to prepare children well for Year One and beyond.
Please read our Early Years Curriculum Policy to find out all about children's learning at St Joseph's Early Years (Pre-school and Reception Class).
Opening Times
9.00am - 3.30pm - Term time only
Sessions
9.00am - 11.30am
11.30am-1.00pm
1.00pm-3.30pm
St Joseph’s Pre-school is based
We always welcome parents and family to come and view our pre-school to see the wonderful environment and meet the staff, if you would like to visit please contact Pre School through email pre-school@stjosephslichfield.org.uk or by telephoning the school office 01543 263505.
Meet the Staff
Miss V Cartwright - Early Years Foundation Stage Lead (Pre-School and Reception) / Reception Class Teacher
Mrs O Cooper - Pre-School Supervisor- Cache Level 5 Diploma in leadership for children and young peoples workforce
Cache level 3 Diploma in children and young people- early learning pathway
Understanding Autism level 2
Understanding and managing Challenging behaviour level 2
University of Derby Understanding Autism, Asperger's and ADHD.
Mrs N Hollywood - Pre-School Practitioner - Studying for Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early years and childcare
Miss Aimee Knight - Pre-School Practitioner Level 2 Early years and childcare Studying for Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early years and childcare
Mrs S Dutton - Pre-School Assistant and Lunchtime support.
All Staff have up to date safeguarding and Paediatric first aid training.
Governing body
Mrs P Lewis - Chair of Pre-School Committee
Mrs T Rowe - Vice Chair
Mrs D McLeary - Committee member
Mrs C Turnell - Committee member
Mrs J Wordsworth - Committee member
Our Daily Routine
No matter rain or shine, we are always outside!
08.50 am Pre-school opens - self registration, Welcome,Rhyme time, story-time, time to talk, phonics
9.00am-11.15am inside and outside learning through play
11.15am-11.20am Get ready for Lunch
11.30am Home time/Arrival time
11.45am-12.15 pm Lunchtime
12-15pm- 1 .00pm inside and outside learning through play
1.00pm Home time/arrival time along with Inside and outside learning through play
3.05pm-3.15pm Rhyme time, Phonics, story-time, time to talk
3.15pm-3.20pm Children get their own bags and coats ready for home time
We regularly go on Nature Walk's onto the around the school and onto big school field to explore the natural environment whilst having fun, for example making bird feeders, making wormeries, building fairy houses, playing games, developing our listening skills, observing changes in our environment throughout the seasons, discovering nature and exploring the trim-trail.
We have termly planet protector and outdoor classroom days to increase awareness of the environment and the world around us, discuss the changes and what we can do to care for our planet.
We practise our P.E skills throughout the day as we encourage walking, running, climbing, throwing, catching, musical movement, riding bicycles and scooters, parachute games, playing games and acting out stories we have created with our friends.
Please keep an eye on the school calendar and Early years newsletter for upcoming events and dates for your diary.
Trips
We join up with Reception and the whole school for some trips, as well as going on our own within our local community to places like -
The local Garrick Theatre for the Christmas Pantomime
The local Library
Local wildlife area
The local market and town shops
The local park
We invite parents to come along to help with these trips.
Applying for a place
To apply, please fill out an application form and either email it using the address below or post it to pre-school. We will try to accommodate all applications, in the event that we are unable to accommodate your request we will advise you of any alternative we can offer or place you on the waiting list.
Should you have any questions please use the email or ring us using pre-school@stjosephslichfield.org.uk or 01543 263505.
Pre-school has adopted the policies of the main school please see here for our policies
Contact us:
Cherry Orchard
Lichfield
WS14 9AN
Telephone Number - 01543 263505
email: pre-school@stjosephslichfield.org.uk
Take a look at the fun we have!
Parent Workshops
To support the children's learning we have parent workshops thorough-out the year. These cover the prime areas of learning as well Maths, literacy and phonics workshops throughout the school year for parents to come along to and learn about different ways in which we support their children to learn and progress.
Comments from parents who came to the workshops include -
"I enjoyed finding out how children will progress through the Early Years and the expectations at the end"
"It gave me some useful ideas on incorporating counting and games at home, also I'm more aware of the language used to support the learning at school"
"I enjoyed the practical examples of activities I can do at home"
Here are some websites useful for phonics and maths
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
Uniform
Please ensure your child attends Pre-school in clothes suitable for messy play as their day will be filled with lots of fun and we want them to feel comfortable.
Although not compulsory, Pre-school has a polo shirt and sweatshirt that you can purchase from Uniforms Plus should you wish.
Fees
Our charging tariff for additional or unfunded hours are £4.20 per hour (or part thereof). Fees are invoiced termly and are payable through Parentpay.
Snack Fee of £10 per term is also payable for children attending St Joseph's Pre-school, this fee cover the cost of providing healthy snacks and extra resources to support your child/ren's education. Snack Fee is paid via Parentpay.
You may also purchase a school meal for your child, please choose from the board outside the classroom or inform the pre-school Supervisor. Information on school meals can be found here.
There will also be additional fees for extra trips/events that your child maybe invited to take part in.
Please see our terms and conditions for more information.
Wrap Around Child Care
If you require before and after-school care we work in conjunction with Badgers who provide care between 7.30am -
There are further details on here
Childcare vouchers
St Joseph's is happy to accept payment using Childcare Vouchers, and we have accounts with many of the main providers.
Your employer may be able to help you with childcare costs using childcare vouchers or other scheme.
You must pay Income Tax and National Insurance on some kinds of support.
You don’t have to pay tax and National Insurance on:
- childcare vouchers
- childcare your employer arranges with a provider (sometimes known as ‘directly contracted childcare’)
- workplace nurseries
You can get up to £55 a week from childcare vouchers, depending on how much you earn and when you joined the scheme.
15 hour Funded Sessions
Funding is provided for 3 and 4 year olds for 15 hours per week for 38 Weeks per academic year by Staffordshire County Council. Eligibility is usually from the term following their third birthday, please see below for the statutory term dates (please note these may differ from the school actual term dates) children are welcome to join us from their 3rd birthday.
When can my child receive their funded place?
Funding for 3 & 4 year olds will start from the term after the child’s 3rd birthday:
Children born between: Free places start from:
1st January - 31st March Summer term (from 1st April)
1st April - 31st August Autumn term (from 1st September)
1st September - 31st December Spring term (from 1st January)
30 hour Funded Sessions
Parents/guardians must apply for the 30 hours funding before your child(ren) starts their first term of preschool in order for the 30 hour code to to be eligible.
In addition to the 15 hours funding, some parents/guardians may be eligible to access an additional 15 hours of funding (30 Hour Funding) payable for 38 weeks per academic year, you can find more information here
Further information regarding funding in Staffordshire can be found here
Useful Links
Development Matters - Non-statutory Curriculum Guidance 2021
Statutory Framework for the Early Years
