Blundell’s Pre-Prep provides a caring stimulating environment for children aged from rising three to seven years.
The Pre-Prep Department is housed in a new purpose built building just a stones throw away from the Prep School. Each classroom is bright and airy with eight of the ten classrooms having immediate access to outside play facilities. As well as having its own library and two spacious halls, ICT features strongly in the Department with a range of PC’s, laptop computers and interactive whiteboards which enhance the learning opportunities for every child.
The children enjoy the use of the three age appropriate spacious playgrounds and playing fields with views to wide open countryside beyond. Learning does not stop at the classroom door but extends into 20 acres of school grounds complete with wildlife area and pond.
At Blundell’s Pre-Prep we believe that every child is unique, and, given our small classes with high adult: pupil ratios, each will be helped to develop his/her own talents through gentle encouragement and positive praise.
Our highly qualified Early Years staff, overseen by the Head of Pre-Prep, offer a carefully balanced curriculum, enabling each child to achieve good standards of literacy and numeracy as well as developing a desire to learn. We recognise that the firm foundations established in the early years are crucial to the achievement of the academic success in the future.
Where a child is identified as needing additional support in an area of learning, this will where possible be provided by the Class Teacher or Teaching Assistant in full consultation with the Learning Support Co-ordinator. Similarly a child who displays a particular talent in a given area will have their learning extended.
In addition to the more academic studies, children are also taught music, games, physical education, drama, dance and art. Extra-curricular activities include ballet, judo, Art Club, French Club, Busy Bees and Otters. There is also a very popular After School Club which enables children to stay on after school from 3.45pm until 5.40pm. Children staying to After School Club are given tea and participate in a range of activities in a relaxed environment.
Structure of the Pre-Prep
Nursery N
This is a mixed age group Nursery for children aged 3- 5 years. These children will leave us at the end of their Nursery education and join a local primary school of their choice. The minimum session requirement for this class is three sessions.
Nursery 1
This class is for children rising three years of age. There is a minimum session requirement of three sessions, preferably mornings. Lunch can be added if required. The adult: child ratio is 1:5.
Nursery 2
There are two classes for children rising 4 years of age. The minimum session requirement is 5 sessions, four of which must be mornings. The adult: child ratio is 1:8. All Nursery classes follow the Foundation Stage curriculum where the emphasis is very much on learning through play...
Children in Nursery 2C are delighted with the Playhouse
they have recently helped to make in their classroom.
Kindergarten
There are two classes for children rising 5 years of age. The minimum session requirement is 8 sessions, 5 mornings and three afternoons. With children becoming full time in the term in which they become 5.All children must be fulltime by the start of the summer term even if their fifth birthday does not fall until the summer holidays. Both Kindergarten classes are staffed by full time Early Years teachers and full time, qualified Teaching Assistants. Although children still follow the Foundation stage curriculum in the Kindergarten they are being prepared, particularly towards the end of the year, for the more formal curriculum of Year 1.
Form 1
There are two classes for children rising 6 years of age. All children are taught by their Class teacher aided by a Teaching Assistant... Specialist teachers from the Prep School teach games at this level.
Form 2
There are two classes for children rising 7 years of age. All children are taught by their Class teacher aided by a Teaching Assistant. Specialist teachers from the Prep School teach Games, PE, French and Music at this level.
The maximum session size in the Nursery Classes is 19 children.
The maximum class size is 19 in Kindergarten to Form 2 classes.
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