Our Setting

Waltham Pre-School, Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire

Waltham Pre-School is a welcoming and nurturing early years setting located in the picturesque village of Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Leicestershire. We proudly support families from Waltham and the surrounding villages, as well as those travelling from Melton Mowbray, Grantham, and nearby areas.

Our pre-school has strong links with Waltham-on-the-Wolds Church of England Primary School, alongside other local primary schools, ensuring smooth and confident transitions for children as they move on to the next stage of their education.

Our Setting

We are based in a self-contained, purpose-built pre-school facility, constructed in 2010 and located next to Waltham-on-the-Wolds CE Primary School. Our setting benefits from excellent access to outdoor learning environments, including a covered veranda, extensive outdoor play spaces, and our very own wooded area, encouraging curiosity, exploration, and learning through nature.

Ages & Opening Times

Waltham Pre-School provides high-quality childcare and early education for children aged 2 to 4 years.

• Opening hours: 8.30am – 4.00pm

• Term-time only

For families who require extended childcare, Waltham-on-the-Wolds CE Primary School’s After School Club is available for children aged 4 and over. Our staff are happy to walk eligible children safely to the club at the end of the pre-school day.

Our Facilities

Our large, bright, and engaging indoor space is carefully designed to support all areas of learning and development. Children can enjoy a variety of learning zones, including:

• Creative and art areas

• Construction and building spaces

• Comfortable book and reading corners

• Writing and number stations

• Role-play and dressing-up areas

Children have free access to child-friendly toilet facilities and our open veranda, which provides a sheltered outdoor area for all-weather play and learning.

Outdoor Learning & Play

Our extensive outdoor provision is a key strength of Waltham Pre-School and includes:

• A secure outdoor area for digging, climbing, bike-riding, and imaginative play

• A large field for running, sports activities, and parachute games

• An enclosed woodland space for forest-school-style adventures and nature learning

Being close to the Reception class at Waltham Primary School also allows children to become familiar with older pupils, helping to build confidence and friendships.

We value our village community and regularly take part in local walks and community events, including the Summer/Charter Fair and Starlight Night at the church.

Our Team

We have a highly qualified and experienced early years team and maintain strong staff-to-child ratios to ensure every child receives the care, attention, and support they need to thrive.

Our Pre-School Leader, Mrs Tracey Taylor, leads the setting with dedication and passion. She can be contacted on 01664 464089 for further information or to arrange a visit.

All staff are fully trained in:

• Early Years education and childcare

• Safeguarding and child protection

• Paediatric first aid

• Food hygiene

Our team regularly attends training to stay up-to-date with best practice and current regulations.

Waltham Pre-School is part of the Rise Multi-Academy Trust and works closely with Waltham-on-the-Wolds CE Primary School, parents, governors, and the Leicestershire Early Years Department. We also liaise with other local primary schools to support smooth and positive transitions.

We strongly believe that parents and families are an essential part of our team, and our close partnerships play a vital role in helping children feel secure, confident, and happy.

Our Early Years Provision

We provide high-quality preschool childcare in Leicestershire within a caring, inclusive, and stimulating environment. Our approach is built on fun, family, and laughter, with a strong focus on:

• Inclusion

• Safety

• Excellence

• Enjoyment

These values help every child flourish, develop independence, and build a love of learning.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, ensuring that all children receive the best possible start during their crucial early years.

All families are warmly welcomed at Waltham Pre-School.

 

Ofsted acknowledged the quality of our provision in our last inspection when we were judged as outstanding in all areas.

Quality Recognition

Early Years Inclusion and Childcare Service Record of visit

Date: 8^th September 2022

The provision is welcoming, spacious and calm.

The provision is well-resourced, with purposeful learning opportunities both indoors and outdoors. All children seemed highly engaged in the activities they had chosen.

Adults have high expectations of children of all ages and the environment is very well-organised to foster and promote independence from the moment children enter the provision.

The outdoor area is currently under development and there are ambitious plans in place for when it is complete. The setting clearly values inclusion and celebrates diversity, evident through practice and areas of provision.

The setting supports families in a variety of ways and works hard to build positive relationships with them. This supports partnership working and ensures all families feel valued. They support parents / carers through various engaging strategies and continued to do this throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leicestershire County Council - Quality Review

We have Lead Setting Status from Leicestershire County Council, which is a testament to our good practice.

Healthy Tots

Waltham Pre-school have been awarded The Healthy Tot Status on a continual cycle since 2012.

Leicestershire Healthy Tots Programme recognises that being healthy is about developing healthy habits.

A Healthy Tots setting is one that is recognised by the local authority as being successful in helping children make healthier choices and helps healthy children become healthy adults.

We encompass physical, emotional and social development as well as dietary and nutritional support to children and their families.

Ofsted Inspection.

We now come under the umbrella of the school so there is no separate report for our setting.

Celebrating the Season

Spring has sprung at Waltham Pre-School and the children are busy preparing for Easter by creating a variety of fun crafts.  Some of the crafts have included making hot cross buns, Easter cards, pictures, daffodils, Mother’s Day cards and shamrocks.  The children have also been singing songs and reading books about Easter and Spring.