Session Times
The morning session starts at 9.00am and finishes at 12.00pm.
The afternoon session starts at 12.30pm and finishes at 3.30pm.
Lunch Club
Wheelock Pre-School operates a lunch club facility between the hours of 12.00pm and 12.30pm where children can stay for lunch, before, after, or in-between pre-school sessions. The lunch club is operated by fully trained staff, who will assist children with their lunch.
There is a cost per session for this facility unless you wish to use the free early years education entitlement grant.
Children need to bring their own healthy packed lunch with them ensuring it contains an ice pack to keep lunch chilled.
Please ask the pre-school supervisor for further details and to reserve a place at lunch club.
Drop Off & Collection
Children should be delivered into the care of a member of staff at the front door. Children will only be released into the care of parents unless authorised by the parents personally, by telephone or in writing.
Healthy Snack & Drinks
We provide healthy snacks of breadsticks, fruit and milk, or water if preferred. In order to reduce costs, we ask parents to donate breadsticks, Dettol, wet wipes, tissues and toilet roll.
Allergies
Please advise the supervisor if your child has any allergies.
Children In Nappies
Parents are asked to provide a bag containing nappies or pull-ups and wet wipes to be brought to each session. Please ensure bags are clearly labelled with your child?s name.
Change Of Clothes
Wherever possible, parents are asked to provide a change of clothes for their child. Please ensure all clothes, coats, hats, gloves and bags are clearly labelled.
Warm Weather
Please ensure your child comes to pre-school with sun cream already applied. Hats are provided.
The Committee
A voluntary parent committee, whose members are elected by the parents of the children who attend the pre-school, manages the pre-school. The elections take place at the pre-school's Annual General Meeting which is held in September each year. The committee is responsible for:
Managing the pre-school's finances and arranging fund raising events
Employing and managing the staff
Making sure that the pre-school has - and works to - policies which help it to provide a high quality service.
A.G.M
The Annual General Meeting is open to the parents of all the children who attend the pre-school. The committee meets every 2 months. The pre-school encourages parents to join the committee and help the pre-school in whatever way they can.
Newletters
Regular newsletters are produced to let parents know of meetings and events, fundraising activities, committee activities and other information that the parent should be aware of.
NoticeBoard
We have a notice board inside pre-school which will keep you informed of any important news.
Admission, Absences and Fees
Admission Policy
The youngest age that children can begin pre-school is 2 years. Nappy changing facilities are available so your child does not need to be toilet trained. Your child's name will be placed on a waiting list and you will be contacted nearer the time when places are available. Sessions are allocated to the oldest children first. Should you require extra sessions please speak to the Supervisor.
Absences
Parents are asked to notify pre-school if their child will be absent through illness, holiday etc. In the event of absence, we cannot refund or substitute alternative sessions.
Illness
Any child that is unwell should not be brought to pre-school within 48 hours of illness. In the event of illness, please ensure your child has passed the incubation period. The pre-school exclusion is guided by Cheshire Community Health Care NHS trust.
Fees
The fees are payable in advance and can be paid in full at the commencement of the term or monthly. Invoices are issued at the start of each term. Fees are non-refundable. Should organised activities take place during the session, no refunds will be given for children not participating in it.
Free Early Years Entitlement
The Free Early Education Entitlement for three and four year olds is currently for 15 hours per week, 38 weeks of the year. A child becomes eligible in the term proceeding their third birthday. If you would like your child to stay for the continuous 6 hours, including lunch club you can use your Free Early Education Entitlement funding to cover this cost, collecting your child at 3pm. If you would like to access the lunch club as an additional half hour, collecting at 3.30pm, this will carry a small charge. Any funded children who use the funding elsewhere will be charged at the funded rate.
15 Hours per week or 30 Hours if you are eligible? You can check your eligibility and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk
Non-Payment of Fees
Parents are asked to pay promptly. If payment is not received within the specified time, a reminder letter will be sent. After that a final notice letter will be sent advising that if full payment is not received within 14 days then the child will be excluded permanently. The pre-school reserves the right to pursue outstanding monies through the small claims court. Please contact the supervisor straightaway if you need to discuss payment.
Term Dates
2025 -2026
Spring 2025
12 weeks (6+6)
6th January 2025 – 4 th April 2025
Half Term: 14 th February – 24 th February 2025
Summer 2025
12 Weeks (5+7)
22nd April – 18th July 2025
Half Term: 23 rd May – 2 nd June 2025
Autumn term 2025
14 weeks (8+6)
1st September 2025 – 12th December 2025
Half Term: 24 th October – 3rd November 2025
Spring Term 2026
12 weeks (6+6)
5th January 2026 – 2nd April 2026
Half Term: 13 th February – 23 rd February 2026