Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Pre-school Education in Caversham, Reading
St Andrew's Pre-school Caversham has been a cornerstone of early childhood education since 1968, consistently delivering high-quality care and learning experiences. Our Ofsted Outstanding-rated institution serves as the first educational touchpoint for families in Caversham Heights, operating from St Andrew's Church Hall. We combine experienced staff with a robust support network through our membership of the Early Years Alliance, ensuring access to the latest childcare developments. Our unique parent-staff partnership model fosters continuous improvement, with a volunteer Committee of Trustees guiding strategic decisions.Our team holds advanced qualifications including Early Years Professional Status, Safeguarding Certificates, and Paediatric First Aid certifications. We maintain high staff-child ratios to personalise care while promoting independence through structured play and literacy-numeracy foundations. Community engagement drives our fundraising efforts, enabling facility upgrades and resource expansion. Our governance structure balances professional management with grassroots parent involvement, creating a dynamic educational environment that adapts to evolving needs.
Services
Pre-school Education
Ofsted Registered
Fundraising Events
Parent Involvement Programs
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1968
Highlights and features
- We have over 50 years of experience in early childhood education
- Our team includes qualified professionals with Safeguarding and First Aid certifications
- We maintain high staff ratios to support individual child needs
- Our curriculum combines interactive play with structured learning
- We actively involve parents through our volunteer Committee
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
Services
Pre-school Education
Our Ofsted Outstanding-rated pre-school provides structured early years education for children aged 2-5. We combine interactive play with literacy and numeracy foundations, maintaining high staff-child ratios to personalise development. Our curriculum fosters independence through confidence-building activities and social skills development.
Fundraising Events
We organise annual fundraising initiatives including Family Fun Days, Race Nights, and Autumn Fairs. These events support facility upgrades and resource acquisition. Parents can participate through event volunteering or home-based fundraising via retail partnerships and online donation platforms.
Parent Involvement Programs
Our parent-led Committee oversees strategic decisions and fundraising. Families contribute through informal consultations, classroom involvement, and governance roles. This collaborative approach ensures services align with community needs while maintaining operational transparency.
Safeguarding Training
All staff maintain current Safeguarding Certificates and First Aid qualifications. Designated Safeguarding Leads receive specialist training to ensure child protection compliance. Regular training updates maintain adherence to the latest childcare safety standards and legislative requirements.
Community Outreach
We collaborate with local businesses and organisations for fundraising and resource sharing. Our partnerships include Bridges Estate Agents' referral donation scheme and STIKINS name label commission program. These initiatives strengthen community ties while supporting educational resources.
People
Katharine Yarwood
Manager
Early Years Professional with Level 6 qualification and Safeguarding Leadership certification. Oversees daily operations and staff training programs.
Karen Johnson
Deputy Manager
Level 3 Qualified Practitioner specialising in child protection. Manages curriculum implementation and staff development initiatives.
Amanda Chenery
Administrator
Handles administrative operations with specialist Safeguarding and SENCo training. Coordinates parent communications and documentation.
Hilary Coome
Early Years Practitioner
Experienced SENCo specialist with advanced Safeguarding and First Aid qualifications. Focuses on individualised child development plans.
Fran Loar
Committee Chair
Volunteer parent representative leading strategic governance. Oversees policy implementation and long-term organisational planning.
Questions
How do I register my child for St Andrew's Pre-school?
Applications for September 2026 are open. Visit our website's registration page for application details and required documentation.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes Early Years Professionals, Level 3 Qualified Practitioners, and staff with Safeguarding Certificates, Paediatric First Aid, and SENCo training.
How does the pre-school involve parents?
Parents contribute through our volunteer Committee, fundraising activities, informal consultations, and direct involvement in pre-school operations.
What fundraising initiatives do you run?
We organise Family Fun Days, Race Nights, Sponsored Runs, Autumn Fairs, and online fundraising through partnerships with retailers and easyfundraising.org.uk.
What curriculum do you follow?
Our curriculum focuses on interactive play combined with structured key group sessions, teaching literacy, numeracy, sharing, and socialisation skills.
