Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Child Care Services in Bedfordshire
Established in 1963, Ickwell Pre-school has been providing high-quality early years education for children aged 2 to 5 years. Our dedicated team of experienced practitioners creates a nurturing environment where children engage in purposeful play, supported by holistic development strategies. Located in Ickwell Village Hall with idyllic surroundings overlooking the village green, we combine indoor and outdoor learning spaces to meet each child's developmental needs. Our staff hold advanced qualifications in early years education, safeguarding, and specialized areas like outdoor learning and SEND support. We implement the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, focusing on prime and specific areas of learning through developmentally appropriate activities.Our key person system ensures personalized care and tailored educational planning for every child. We actively involve parents through regular communication and collaborative platforms like Tapestry. Our committee-led governance model ensures parent-driven decision-making while maintaining charitable, non-profit operations. We prioritize safety with enhanced DBS checks and regular safeguarding training for all staff. Our commitment to continuous improvement is demonstrated through partnerships with local organizations and community-focused fundraising initiatives.
Services
Early Years Education
Outdoor Learning
SEND Support
Parent Partnerships
Community Fundraising
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of combined experience in early years education across our senior staff
- Our outdoor learning program is led by a qualified Forest School leader with specialized training
- We implement personalized key person system for individualized child development planning
- All staff maintain current paediatric first aid and safeguarding certifications
- Our committee-led governance ensures parent involvement in decision-making processes
What people say
Loves preschool
Thriving there
Infectious enthusiasm
Advanced skills
Resilience and compassion
Services
Early Years Education
Our structured curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage guidelines, focusing on prime areas like personal development and physical skills. Through tailored activities, we prepare children for primary education while nurturing social-emotional growth. Our qualified practitioners create individualized learning plans that adapt to each child's developmental stage.
Outdoor Learning
Led by our Forest School-trained coordinator, this program uses natural environments for experiential learning. Children engage in activities like tree identification, gardening, and outdoor construction projects. This approach develops physical coordination, environmental awareness, and creative problem-solving skills in authentic settings.
SEND Support
Our qualified SENCo provides specialized support for children with additional needs. We implement individualized strategies through 1:1 assistance and collaborative planning with parents and external professionals. Our inclusive approach ensures all children can fully participate in preschool activities.
Parent Partnerships
We maintain regular communication through our key person system and digital platforms like Tapestry. Parents receive updates on their child's progress and can contribute to learning observations. We also organize events to strengthen home-school connections and share educational approaches.
Community Fundraising
As a non-profit organization, we organize fundraising activities through our parent committee. These efforts support equipment upgrades and special programs like our recent Safari Stu visit. Community involvement helps maintain high-quality resources and enriching experiences for all children.
People
Claire Jeeves
Pre-school Manager
With nearly 25 years of childcare experience, Claire leads our safeguarding efforts and creates engaging play environments. She holds CACHE Level 3 qualifications and specializes in imaginative play development.
Anne Pressland
SENCo Coordinator
As our outdoor learning expert and SENCo, Anne combines nature education with special needs support. She holds a BA in Applied Early Years Studies and Forest School leadership qualifications.
Jo Peters
Woodwork Co-ordinator
Jo has led our woodwork program since 2016, teaching practical skills through creative projects. She holds a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and promotes hands-on learning experiences.
Julia Morgan
Crafts Co-ordinator
With extensive experience since 2005, Julia leads creative activities that develop fine motor skills and artistic expression. She holds NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and specializes in messy play experiences.
Asha Gibson
SEND Assistant
Asha supports physical development and wellbeing, bringing sports coaching expertise to our SEND provision. She holds Level 3 mental health and nutrition qualifications alongside football coaching certifications.
Questions
What age range do you cater for?
We provide care and education for children aged 2 to 5 years.
How do you support children's learning and development?
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework through purposeful play and tailored activities across seven learning areas.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
All staff have Level 3 early years qualifications, paediatric first aid training, and safeguarding certifications.
How do you involve parents in their child's education?
We use Tapestry for progress tracking and maintain regular communication through our key person system.
What outdoor learning opportunities are available?
Our outdoor program includes nature exploration, physical activities, and Forest School-inspired experiences led by specialist staff.
