Welcome

We are delighted to announce that September 2025 marks the opening of a brand new Corpus Christi Pre-School, offering provision for pre-school children aged between 2 years 3 months and 4 years. 

 

Corpus Christi is a welcoming and inclusive environment which allows children to feel safe and secure, while enabling children to develop in their early learning foundations, social skills and emotional preparation for school. We understand that all children are different and each learning journey is unique. We get to know each child individually and plan and assess activities based on their needs and next steps. 

 

The adults work closely together to care for all children in the setting. With our fun and stimulating environment, we aim to nurture a sense of curiosity within the children in order to create a love of learning. We teach the children to respect each other and their environment, as well as encouraging the importance of being kind, caring and sharing.

 

Stay and Play Session

On Thursday 4th September or Friday 5th September, from 9:15am - 10.45am, the pre school will be open for ‘Stay & Play’ sessions. This will give parents and children the opportunity to see the new environment and ask questions. Parents are asked to stay with their children for these sessions and will be given a date to come (either Thursday or Friday) nearer the time. 

Sessions

We are open Monday to Friday during term time. Our choice of sessions are as follows:

 

All day – 8.45am – 2.45pm

Morning only – 8.45am – 11.45am

Afternoon only – 11.45pm – 2.45pm

 

Term Dates and Times

The school gates open at 8.45am and children are collected at 2.45pm.

 

School Term Dates 2025-26
Term	Dates
Autumn Term	Monday 8th September 2025 to Friday 19th December 2025
Half Term	Monday 27th October 2025 to Friday 31st October 2025
Christmas Holidays	Monday 22nd December 2025 to Friday 2nd January 2025
Spring Term	Tuesday 6th January 2026 to to Friday 27th March 2026
Half Term	Monday 16th February 2026 to Friday 20th February 2026
Easter Holidays	Monday 30th March 2026 to Friday 10th April 2026
Summer Term	Monday 13th April 2026 to Friday 17th July 2026
Half Term	Monday 25th May 2026 to Friday 29th May 2026
Summer Holidays	Monday 20th July 2026

 

Pre-School Closed (Staff Training)

Friday 26th September 2025

Monday 5th January 2026

Monday 20th July 2026

Tuesday 21st July 2026

 

Provisions

A small daily snack is provided for the children such as fruit, vegetables, bread sticks.

For children staying for lunch (11.45 am – 12.45 pm) parents must ensure their child brings with them a healthy nut free packed lunch from home.  Children eat their lunch in the Corpus Christi room supervised by the Pre-school staff.

 

Facilities and Activities

Corpus Christi is ideally placed within the school grounds. The environment is arranged to allow the children free access to a range of activities and resources which cover the EYFS Profile.

 

Corpus Christi benefits from a custom-built room, with children's toilets, a kitchen area for snack preparation, and an outdoor area which is used all year round and in all weathers.

 

Activities include (but are not limited to) painting, reading, drawing, mark making, music, role play, food exploration, crafts, snack, water play, sand play, bikes, building, construction toys, board games and playdough.

 

Staffing

All our staff are experienced, qualified and dedicated to working with children.  We are able to offer an adult to child ratio of 1:8 for over 3's and 1:5 for under 3’s. This allows children to experiment and experience a range of planned and free play opportunities which reflect their individual needs and interests. 

 

Curriculum

Following the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFS), we plan engaging and challenging activities based on the children’s interests. A large part of the session is ‘free choice’ for children to choose where to play and learn, along with short whole group times for prayers, stories and songs. During the ‘free choice’ times the key workers play alongside the children, modelling ideas and teaching new skills. Through the curriculum we also encourage a growth of self-esteem, resilience and interest. The Pre-school staff work closely with the school’s EYFS staff and Phase Leader to ensure that the best start to each child’s learning journey is provided. 

Payment and Funding

All parents are eligible to claim the ‘universal’ 15 hours a week Early Years Education funding for 3-4 year olds (for a total of a maximum of 570 hours in any one year), as follows:

 

When your child turns the relevant age	When they can get their hours from
1 January and 31 March	Term starting on or after 1 April
1 April and 31 August	Term starting on or after 1 September
1 September and 31 December	Term starting on or after 1 January

 

We also offer:

 

• the ‘extended’ 15 hours a week Early Years Education funding for 3-4 year olds (for a total of a maximum of an additional 570 hours over 38 weeks a year), in line with the same ages/start dates shown in the above table. 

 

• the 30 hours a week Early Years Education funding for eligible working parents of 2 year olds over 38 weeks in a year, in line with the same ages/dates shown in the above table.  This is a new Government initiative available from September 2025. 

 

• the 15 hours a week Early Years Education funding for 2 year olds of families receiving Government support (formerly known as the 2-year-old disadvantaged entitlement)

  • (for a total of a maximum of 570 hours in any one year) in line with the same ages/dates shown in the above table.

 

Just a reminder that we only take children at Corpus Christi from when they are 2 years, 3 months old.

 

To apply for pre-school funding you will need to check your eligibility and apply online on the Government Website: https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working.  You will need to create a Government Gateway account and have details like your national insurance number and child’s birth certificate reference number handy.  If your application is approved you will receive a code number which will need to be entered on the BCP Council Parent/Carer Declaration form.

Visit www.gov.uk or https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk  for full information and all your funding options.

 

Please complete and sign the BCP Council Parent/Carer Declaration form and ensure you enter your eligibility code(s) if  your child is eligible for funding.  Please use this link to complete and print out the form for signing:

Early-education-funding/Early-Education-Funding-Parent-Declaration-Form-2025.pdf 

Hard copies will be available from the school office upon request.

 

Your BCP Council Parent/Carer Declaration form needs to be submitted to the school office before 18th July 2025 to ensure your place is secured for September.  You will also need to provide your child’s birth certificate, Passport or other form of ID for validation.  If your form is not received by 18th July 2025 a place may not be available until January 2026. 

 

In future you will be asked to complete a BCP Council Parent/Carer Declaration form each term.  The BCP Early Years Funding Privacy Notice is available by clicking here.  

 

Charging/invoicing

Any non-funded hours are charged at a rate of £6.25 per hour.  There is no additional charge for snacks or consumables. Payment for allocated sessions is payable at the beginning of each term, regardless of any days not taken due to holidays, sickness etc.  Invoices are issued at the beginning of each term.   We reserve the right to withdraw places should payment not be received by the due date, or a mutually agreed instalment plan set up, until all outstanding fees are paid in full.

 

Cancellations

4 weeks notice is required if you wish to cancel any of your confirmed places. Should we not be able to fill the cancelled places, any fees for those sessions will be payable in full.