Business Details
Early Years Education in Winchester
St Paul's Preschool is a community-based charity dedicated to providing children aged 2.5 to school age with a nurturing environment for play and learning. Our mission focuses on enhancing child development through structured yet flexible activities that encourage confidence, social skills, and curiosity. With a team of highly qualified educators, we implement the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to ensure seamless transitions to primary education. Our staff undergo regular training and hold specialist expertise in areas such as outdoor learning, speech therapy, and special educational needs. We maintain strong partnerships with parents through regular progress updates via Tapestry and offer 15/30-hour government funding options.The setting combines indoor resources like libraries and craft areas with extensive outdoor spaces for nature-based learning. Our structured daily routine balances free play, guided activities, and rest periods while maintaining a family-like atmosphere. We prioritise child safety through designated safeguarding leads and rigorous staff assessments. The pre-school operates from St Pauls Church Hall in Winchester, featuring accessible facilities and a meadow for sensory experiences. Our commitment to quality has earned us an OFSTED 'Good' rating and membership in the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Learning
Special Educational Needs Support
Government-Funded Places
Flexible Session Options
Highlights and features
- OFSTED-registered with 'Good' rating for educational quality
- Experienced staff with specialist expertise in early years education
- Government-funded places available for eligible families
- Curriculum combining structured learning with nature-based exploration
- Secure online progress tracking shared with parents via Tapestry
Associations and certifications
- OFSTED
- Pre-school Learning Alliance
- Registered Charity
Services
Early Years Education
Structured learning programme following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Combines indoor activities with outdoor exploration to develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Sessions include music, art, and physical development activities tailored to children's individual needs.
Outdoor Learning
Expansive outdoor spaces featuring play equipment, gardening areas, and natural meadows. Children engage in sensory learning through mud kitchens, water play, and seasonal activities. Promotes physical development and environmental awareness through hands-on experiences.
Special Educational Needs Support
Tailored support from qualified SENCo staff for children with additional needs. Individualised learning plans and specialist resources ensure inclusive participation. Regular progress monitoring and parent consultations maintain consistent developmental support.
Government-Funded Places
Eligible families access 15 or 30 hours of free childcare weekly through local authority funding. Available for children aged 2.5 and above, with flexible session options to accommodate working parents' schedules while maintaining educational continuity.
Parent Partnership
Regular progress updates through Tapestry online platform. Designated key workers maintain open communication channels with families. Parental involvement opportunities include volunteering, committee membership, and fundraising events to strengthen home-school connections.
People
Silvia Brown
Lead Early Years Teacher
BA-qualified educator with Early Years Teacher Status, overseeing curriculum implementation and child safeguarding. Leads staff training and maintains quality standards through internal and external assessments.
Melanie Pammant
Deputy Lead Teacher
Supports daily operations and child protection procedures. Specialises in early years development and staff supervision, ensuring consistent educational delivery across all learning environments.
Katie Hillier
Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Manages individual support plans for children with additional needs. Collaborates with parents and external agencies to provide targeted interventions and inclusive learning strategies.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from 2 years and 6 months old up to school age.
Are meals provided?
Healthy snacks and milk are included in session fees. Children bring packed lunches for extended stays.
How do you track child development?
Key workers maintain individual progress records through Tapestry online platform with regular parent updates.
Do you offer flexible hours?
Sessions run mornings (9am-12pm) and full days (9am-3pm) with minimum two-session weekly commitment.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our grounds include play equipment, sandpit, mud kitchen, gardening areas, and a natural meadow for exploration.
How do you support special educational needs?
Dedicated SENCo provides individualised plans, specialist resources, and regular parent consultations to support inclusive learning.
