Parent Information

Term Dates

2025 / 2026

SUMMER 2026

14^TH APRIL – 17^TH JULY

HALF TERM (closed)

25^TH MAY – 29^TH MAY

2026 / 2027

AUTUMN 2026

7^TH SEPTEMBER – 16^TH DECEMBER

HALF TERM (closed)

26^TH OCTOBER – 30^TH OCTOBER

SPRING 2026

5^THJANUARY – 24^TH MARCH

HALF TERM (closed)

15^TH FEBRUARY – 19^TH FEBRUARY

SUMMER 2026

13^TH APRIL – 15^TH JULY

HALF TERM (closed)

31^ST MAY – 4^TH JUNE

INSET DAYS
4^TH DECEMBER 2026
4^TH JANUARY 2027
12^TH APRIL 2027
7^TH JUNE 2027

NOTES
15^TH DECEMBER 2026 – Christmas Show
16^TH DECEMBER 2026 – Close @ 12 noon
24^TH MARCH 2027 – Close @ 12 noon
9^TH JULY 2027 – Nature Walk (no AM or PM session)
15^TH JULY 2027 – Last Day of Term - Close @ 12 noon
16^TH JULY 2027 – Open for Graduation Ceremony (Leavers Only)

Policies

Our Policies and Procedures document is currently being updated. A hard copy can be viewed in the setting and is available for all to use. A copy will be sent to all parents on register.

Starting at WPS

Starting at WPS is a significant milestone for both children and parents, and we aim to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. We welcome children when they are able, with support, to take part in a busy, active preschool environment. This includes sitting safely at a table for snacks, drinking from an open cup, and engaging in simple activities with adult guidance. Children do not need to speak in full sentences. Words, sounds, gestures, pointing, and signing are all valid ways to communicate. What matters is that your child can let adults know what they need or how they feel. Children do not need to be fully independent, but these early skills support a successful start.

Although children do not need to be out of nappies before they start with us, potty learning should have been introduced at home. Children should be able to cope with a busy, active preschool environment and be moving away from a regular daily nap. Some children may occasionally need sleep and we provide a safe, cosy space in line with safer sleep guidance.

Settling In

Starting preschool is a big milestone, and all children begin with settling sessions from their agreed start date. These sessions do not have a fixed length, as they are focused on helping each child build confidence, trust, and security at their own pace. Some children settle quickly, while others need more time, and we adapt sessions to support each child individually.

In early sessions, parents stay until their child is happily engaged in play and comfortable. Once settled, parents leave for a short time. If the child continues to play happily, they will remain and parents will be contacted for collection. If a child becomes upset but can be comforted and re-engaged, the session continues. If they become very upset and cannot be settled, parents will be contacted to return. We then repeat and build on sessions at the child’s pace until they are ready to stay confidently.

We work closely with families throughout this process to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and secure, and we work in partnership to give each child the best possible start.

Healthy Eating

At The Wendover Pre-school we promote healthy eating.

For our morning and afternoon snacks we have fresh fruit and/or vegetables, along with a carbohydrate.

The snacks we provide are varied and nutritious taking into account children’s dietary needs and/or allergies.

In the summer months we grow some of our own fruit and pick these for snack times.

The Wendover Pre-school is a nut allergy aware pre-school.

Packed Lunches

Lunch Club provides a relaxed environment in which children further develop social skills, practice good table manners and learn about healthy eating. Children should bring lunch in a suitable container, which is marked clearly with their name.

At Wendover Preschool we support children to develop independence when eating their lunch. This will help when they go on to ‘big’ school. We ask that you keep this in mind when packing a lunch – avoid fiddly wrappers or difficult lids. All uneaten food and wrappers go back into a lunch box – so as you can see what has/has not been eaten.

To promote a comprehensive understanding of healthy eating in line with EYFS Nutritional Guidelines, we provide parents with information about what to include in a healthy lunchbox and about foods that should not be included.

The Wendover Pre-school is a nut allergy aware pre-school. Please check all lunchbox ingredients.

Your Child's Health

In order to keep infections in our setting under control, we ask that parents err on the side of caution and keep their child at home if they are unwell.

On occasions we may have children in the setting with medical/health needs. This may include the need to administer any ongoing medication, occasional medication, emergency medication or preventative medication.

Please note only medication prescribed by a GP can be administered.

Please see below our Keeping Everybody Well at WPS information sheet and our relevant Policies, but if in doubt we ask that parents call before bringing their child into the setting