We are a warm and friendly setting that provides a secure and caring environment for all children and their families. We work closely with the school at all times and share information when required prior to your child attending Holmer Academy and after if needed.
We work in partnership with our parents and value their input and support in ensuring their child reaches their full potential.
Opening Times
The Preschool operates from 8am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday term time only. We do offer holiday clubs during the school holidays but this only depends on the interest of parents.
Our Sessions are
8am – 9am Breakfast Club
9am – 12pm Half Day Session
9am – 3pm Full Day Session
3pm – 5.30pm After School Club
Fees (as from September 2024)
Fees are calculated at £6.50 per hour for children aged 3-4 years and £7.00 for 2 year olds. We invoice at the beginning of the term and accept 15 hour, 30 hour, 2 year funding and vouchers.
**Lunches are chargeable weekly at £1.80 per day. This covers the cost of snack and lunches.
Late payments or non payment of fees will result in a verbal warning and there on after you will lose your child’s place in the setting if you are 2 weeks late of payment.
Late collection of your child will result in a fine of £25.00 to cover staff costs. It will become a safeguarding concern if your child is not collected after an hour and the setting hasn’t been informed.
Once you have decided to attend the setting we require a £25.00 non refundable deposit to secure your place.
Holidays and illness.
If you are unable to attend due to holidays or illness , fees are still expected to be paid . If the setting closes due to circumstances out of their control we will inform you of payments required to secure your child’s place.
Children are not allowed to attend the setting if they had Calpol or medication for a high temperature and will be sent home. This is to stop contamination among the children and staff. Children have to be 48 hours symptoms free before returning to the setting.
Our Staff
Mark Stenhouse Director.
Mark Stenhouse is the ‘odd job man’ and is often at the setting fixing, decorating and maintaining the grounds and equipment.
Clair Stenhouse Manager, HR Officer , Safeguarding Officer, Behavior Manager, SENCO and Training Officer, Data Protection Officer, Grief and Loss councillor for children.
Clair qualified as an NNEB in 1988 and gained her foundation Degree in Early Years in 2015. She has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience over the years having worked in London in multi- cultural schools before moving to Hereford in 2000. Clair become the manager of Trinity Teds Playgroup in 2001 and then moved into Holmer Academy in 2007.
Clair says….
‘With over 35 years of working within early years I still love my job very much and work hard at making improvement’s and changes to meet the needs of the children and their families that attend the setting. I choose staff that are not only qualified and knowledgeable, but staff who have the same care, enthusiasm and excitement about working with children as I do, and who are also up for a challenge and who recognise the importance of providing a high quality early year’s education for all children.’
Annie Jones. Deputy Manager and Deputy Safeguarding Officer. First Aid Trained.
Annie is the Deputy Manager who is qualified as a level 3 NVQ. Prior to working at Holmer she was a childminder and it was this interest that brought her to Holmer, as she wanted to share her enthusiasm and dedication in improving the outcome for all children and work as a part of team.
Annie says……
‘I just love coming to work every day as two days are never the same. The children and their families have always been my main priority and I have a passion for supporting them, especially through difficult times. I want to ensure that the children I care for reach their full potential and I am very passionate about early year’s education’.
Chloe Edgar. Planning Practitioner, POPAT Teacher and Forest School Teacher.
Chloe is a play practitioner who has recently graduated in November gaining her Early Childhood Professional Practice LV6. At presents she is training to be a forest school teacher and will be qualified in December 2018.
Chloe says……
‘I feel I have gained so much knowledge and understanding of my role since starting at Holmer and this has complimented and added to my studying. Working within a team supports my understanding of the children and their families and I feel I am learning and developing all the time which I am very excited about. I have gained confidence since finishing my degree and have a passion for outside play, which the forest school training is complementing. I have recently started to take the lead role in planning and this has now provided a new and exciting challenging for me ’
Alison Gillespie. Early Years Educator Foundation Degree In Early Years. First Aid Trained.
Alison is a play practitioner who has a foundation degree in Early Years. Until recently she has been working in primary education, but was eager to make the move back into early years.
Alison says…
‘I am very excited about how this job has evolved, I really enjoy planning for the children and finding new and exciting activities that are challenging and fun for the children. I am particularly passionate about working with the children and their families, especially those that may have challenges in their lives, I’m hoping to continue to use my skills and knowledge to support the children at Holmer. ’
Sharon Bendall Health and Safety Officer.
Sharon Bendall is the Health and Safety officer. She qualified as a LV2 in childcare studies and has since then trained within health and safety.
Sharon says…..
‘My role has evolved over the years and I enjoy ensuring the setting is safe and well organised as I know this is important to the staff and children. I take my role very seriously and I am always finding ways to improve the operational running of the setting.’
Miss Voyce Little Room Supervisor, NNEB and SALT support officer.
Miss Voyce has over 35 years experience in Early Years and SEND.
Miss Voyce says…
Over the years my confidence and experience has grown in supporting children with SEN and SALT. Being in the little room enables me to develop listening, attention and language skills so that the children can become more independent and confident learners. I feel my skills lie in supporting children that may need additional support in all areas, as this where I find I’m best placed as I get satisfaction out of knowing I am fulfilling my role as an educator as I see the progression in the children.
Miss Hall Early Years Educator LV2.
Miss Hall qualified as a level 2 and worked firstly one to one in a school and the After School Club. She has always been keen to be in a preschool and continue her professional development in child care Miss Hall says…
‘I am so excited to be offered this opportunity to work in a preschool and I am eager to continue my professional development in child care so the I can progress a career in Early Years’.
Behaviour and Ethical Practice.
We work with children and parents to maintain a healthy, safe and happy environment. We model good and acceptable behaviour within the setting and ensure that all children are treated fairly and with respect. We encourage children to keep themselves safe and teach them how to have a voice and speak up for themselves within situations that they may feel unsafe or worried. Kindness, politeness and acceptance is key to the operational running of the setting and we support to understand the value of these daily.
Safeguarding.
Safeguarding is a priority and we monitor this in many forms. Our safeguarding policies are available on request and procedures can be explained if required and when needed. All conversations are recorded and monitored by the manager to ensure that parents are happy with the operational running of the setting and their child’s progress. It may be necessary to involve other professionals when we have a concern about a child’s well being and safety.
Parent Partnership.
We value your input and once your child’s starts we will ensure that you are provided with the right key worker that will monitor and work with with you to ensure your child reaches their full potential. Staff are available to talk to parents for a quick chat in the morning and will make appointments to discuss your child’s progress and any concerns you may want to discuss. We keep detailed records and learning journals on your child that is available at any time for you to see and sent home for you to contribute to every term.
Lunch.
We encourage healthy eating and support the children and their families to understand the importance of making healthy choices. We prepare food on site for the children to eat at snack and lunch. We offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, nutritious sandwiches and snacks. We cater for children who have allergies or intolerances.
We offer cooking activities weekly which allows the children the opportunity to eat the homemade food at lunch or to take home. Cooking activities raise discussions about healthy food and eating.
**As part of the snack and lunch fee – this also covers the cost of cake for the child on/around their birthday. The cakes are gluten free, dairy free and egg free – suitable for all of the Children’s dietary requirements.