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Do you offer funded entitlement for three year olds?

Yes.  Children are eligible for the funding in the term following their third birthday. The funding is available for 15 hours per week (term time), subject to availability.  

We also offer 30 hour funding for those families who are eligible. To find out more please visit

Do you offer funded entitlement for two year olds?

No

What sessions do you offer?

Morning session: 9am - 12noon

Afternoon session: 12noon to 3.00pm

Children are able to attend am or pm sessions or whole day sessions.

We also offer out of hours provision from 8.30am-9am and 3pm-3.30pm at a rate of £3.50 per session

How old does my child need to be to start at pre-school?

We accept children the term following their third birthday

Can my child take up more than just the funded sessions?

Yes you can pay for extra sessions above your funded entitlement.

Do you provide hot meals?

No. Children are offered snacks during each session. For those children who stay for lunch a healthy packed lunch must be provided by parents/carers.

Are you able to accommodate children with different dietary requirements?

Yes, we can accommodate this during snack time.

How quickly can my child start?

We generally have a larger intake of children in September and a smaller intake in January. Places do become available throughout the year as children leave for varying reasons. If there is an available place for your child, we will contact you via telephone. 

How do I apply for a place?         

Come and have a look around our pre-school, ring us on 01582 591225, or email us

What should my child wear to pre-school?

Comfortable clothing that doesn't matter if they get mucky!  We do not have a uniform, but recommend clothes that are easy to change which will help your child to become independent, e.g. jogging bottoms, t-shirts and velcro plimsolls or shoes for indoors.  If your child is toilet training, then please avoid dungarees, button up vests and tight skinny jeans as these are tricky for them (and us) to remove quickly.  Please put your child's name on all clothing.

What footwear do you recommend?

Velcro plimsolls and Velcro shoes are ideal for indoor play and trainers or welly boots for outside.  We do not recommend flip flops or croc style shoes as they can slip off feet very easily and might trip them up.  Please avoid laced shoes/boots if possible as they are too tricky for the children to do themselves. Consider how long it takes you to put them on one child and then think of us with up to 24 pairs of children's feet! During warmer weathers we ask children not to wear open-toed shoes/ sandals as we do not want accidents to their unprotected toes. 

What should my child bring to pre-school?

A named bag (preferable a drawstring bag) with a change or two of clothing and nappies/wipes if appropriate.  Outdoor wear suitable for the weather conditions. This should include coat, hat, gloves in the winter and sunhat in the summer (please apply sun lotion before the session). Everything named please!

What should I do if my child cannot attend a session, e.g. if they are ill?

Please contact us by telephone on 01582 591225 or email to let us know.  Some illnesses have an exclusion period and we can let you know if this is applicable. Please allow 48 hours after a bout of sickness or diarrhoea before your child returns.

How can I help my child to settle in?

All children are different, some settle in straight away, others may take a little more time and encouragement.  We will work with you to help your child to settle in in a way that you are comfortable with. We ask you to stay with your child for the first hour. On the second day, we ask you to leave your child with us for one hour without you. If your child seems happy to have been left, the following day your child may stay for a full session. 

How will I know how well my child is doing?

Every child has a learning journey book (their ‘special book’) in which their progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is charted.  You are welcome to look through your child’s book at any time and chat to us.  Every term your child’s key person will sit down with you to have a chat about their progress.  You can find out more information about your child’s learning journey book and the EYFS  

How can I support my child's learning at home?

Every month, in our newsletters, we provide ideas for activities for you to do at home including ways you can support your child. This will help your child during planned activities in the nursery, Staff are always happy to discuss ideas with you. We provide a parent library with books and story sacks for you to borrow and share with your child at home.  At your child’s termly review we will discuss with you activities and strategies you may wish to adopt at home to help with your child’s learning and their next steps.

How can I help with the pre-school?

We are part of the Pre-school Learning Alliance which is a registered charity, so fundraising to help pay towards new resources or donations are always welcome.  You can also find us onwhere retailers make donations towards the pre-school when you shop online with them.  

Parents are always welcome to come in and help out once their child has settled in. It is an ideal opportunity for you to become involved in the pre-school community and to find out what we do! We are always looking out for parents/carers who have any cooking, musical or creative skills or talents that they could share with small groups of children during the session. Please speak to the management team or Key person if you are interested.  All regular helpers undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

Find out more

To arrange a visit or to ask about childcare vacancies, please contact the Pre-school on 01582 591225 or email sundonstars@eyalliance.org.uk.

Or you can make an enquiry using our .