Mill House Pre-school Brochure

Inspiring Enquiring Minds

Time and space to grow Children are naturally inquisitive

the time and space to learn and

and curious to explore the exciting

grow, develop confidence and

world around them and at Mill

creativity, and feel valued in a

House our aim is to nurture these

caring, supportive community.

enquiring young minds in a stimulating, fun and safe learning environment. Here, play is at the heart of a genuinely unique preschool learning experience for our youngest pupils, aged 2 to 4 years.

Our stunning countryside location, in the grounds of Giggleswick School, gives life at Mill House a sense of adventure and discovery. Children are given

The happy home from home atmosphere in Mill House provides the perfect foundation for learning, both academically and socially, in these important years before ‘big school’ begins.

From pre-school right through to junior, senior and sixth form, our school values of participation, ambition and respect are embraced at every stage.

My daughter has loved coming to Giggleswick from day one! She has the opportunity to go to ballet and swimming lessons and she even knows some French now too! Her confidence has grown tremendously.

Learning best through play Each day at Mill House is packed

We follow the Early Years Foundation

full of exciting activities and fun

Curriculum, alongside a wonderful

educational experiences tailored to

range of enrichment activities, to

meet the individual needs of each

support each child’s learning:

child. Our play-based curriculum is balanced with the challenge and

■ Swimming in our heated pool*

academic ethos of Giggleswick School,

■ French with a qualified linguist

which inspires children to develop a

■ Daily Phonics and Maths sessions

love of learning from an early age.

■ PE in our purpose-built sports hall

Like the rest of Giggleswick School,

■ Outdoor learning in our forest school

the focus remains on providing a

■ Ballet lessons with a dance specialist

broad educational experience within a supportive and nurturing environment, giving the children the very best start both academically and socially.

■ Welly walks, pond dipping, story circles and den building *Swimming for 3 to 4-year-olds

It’s fantastic that my child has access to specialist teachers on top of brilliant play-based learning

Outdoor fun and adventure Every day we explore the great outdoors, making the most of our wonderful location and the wide range of outdoor learning opportunities.

Welly walks, pond dipping, story circles and den building are all available from our doorstep, and the forest school provides a special place for adventure, where imaginations can run free. Lots of little green fingers are also being nurtured in our school garden, where the children love to potter and plant their own fruit and vegetables.

At Mill House we believe the more time children can spend outside, the better they understand their place in nature and how we affect our local environment.

Outdoor play also helps build confidence and important teamworking skills.

How can they bear to tear themselves away from this happy place in the Yorkshire Dales.

TATLER SCHOOLS GUIDE

A natural place to learn Mill House sits within the stunning grounds of Giggleswick School, perched on a hill with a stream running beside it and far reaching views across the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. It is a truly inspiring natural space for learning.

A happy home from home My child absolutely loves Mill House! She has grown in confidence and the staff have been wonderful in supporting her progress ready for school.

We understand the importance of

a range of vibrant room settings

choosing the right setting for your

where children are encouraged to

child and at Mill House we have

explore and make independent

created a calm, happy and caring

choices about where they play.

home from home, where children feel

The flexible use of indoor and

comfortable and inspired to learn

outdoor spaces allows us to

in a safe and secure environment.

manage a dynamic and changing

Mill House has been thoughtfully restored and refurbished to create

‘Big School’ facilities

eat their lunch in the main dining

Mill House is very much part of the

participate in whole school events.

main school and we have access to the

We believe this integration makes

entire campus, including Giggleswick’s

for a smooth, natural transition

extensive sports facilities, library,

into any school environment

theatre and chapel. The children

when they leave Mill House.

room, join school assemblies and

curriculum to suit the individual needs and interests of each child.

Where care comes ďŹ rst At Mill House we offer the very highest standard of pastoral care, nurturing each child in a close partnership between school and home.

Our daughter has developed emotionally, physically and mentally.

The staff are all highly professional, caring and approachable. We have found Mill House excellent in every way.

Every child is assigned a key person who builds a close bond and supports both their learning and pastoral needs.

The key person is also an important first point of contact for parents, keeping them up-to-date on their child’s progress and making sure everyone is aware of what is happening at home.

We believe open communication is vital and our team is always available to talk with parents.

Healthy eating With a real emphasis on healthy family dining, we make sure the children enjoy a varied and healthy menu, as well as taking part in meal time conversation and learning table manners.

Balanced and nutritious hot meals are prepared for the pupils by our award-winning catering team, served alongside our junior school pupils in the main dining hall.

Flexible wrap-around care

Fees and funding

We understand that every family

admissions@giggleswick.org.uk.

has its own particular schooling and childcare needs, and we have tailored a day that allows for as much flexibility for parents and families as possible.

Current fees and charges can be found on our website: giggleswick.org.uk/pre-school-fees, or contact our admissions team on 01729 893000 or email:

Early Years funding entitlement Parents can use their governmentprovided free childcare entitlement, which includes up to 30 hours

Our wrap-around care starts at 07:30

entitlement for 3 and 4-year-olds.

each morning with an optional ‘Early

Subject to entitlement.

Risers’ Breakfast Club. The morning session runs from 08:00 to 13:00 and an

Tax-Free childcare and vouchers

extended afternoon session runs from

We accept childcare vouchers

13:00 to 18:00. Families have the option

and the school is signed up

to book individual half-day sessions

to the government’s Tax-Free

or full days, and 50-week provision is

Childcare Scheme. We also

available with our Holiday Club. Each

accept Busy Bees vouchers.

session includes a meal and a snack.

Session times

Session options

07:30 – 08:00

Early Risers Breakfast Club

08:00 – 13:00

Morning session

13:00 – 18:00

Afternoon session

Holiday Club Our holiday club allows us to offer 50-week provision for our pre-school children.

We organise a fun programme of activities and themed experiences for children to have fun and enjoy their time away from the normal pre-school timetable.

Activities include baking, arts and crafts, performing arts, computing, forest

08:00 – 18:00

Full day

school, physical sessions, trips out and gardening.

I feel privileged to be a part of the team at Giggleswick and really look forward to developing this very special learning environment for our youngest pupils.

We want to give them the very best start to their learning by providing a broad educational experience that’s tailored to meet their individual needs.

Our Team Mill House is led by Carl Shuttleworth, an experienced, qualified teacher and Early Years specialist with a real passion for learning and development in early education. Together with his team of professionally qualified Early Years practitioners, Carl has a clear focus on Mill House becoming the first choice for pre-school education in the area, providing the best possible academic learning experience and pastoral care for the children.

Carl Shuttleworth Mill House Manager

Specialist subject teaching The team is also supported by staff from the Junior School, who provide specialist subject teaching in areas including Music, French, Swimming and PE. This forms an important part of the Early Years Foundation Stage and extended curriculum which we offer.

What the team creates for the children is wonderful.

Everyone is friendly, polite and professional.

As a parent I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Find out more We hope you will come and visit us at Mill House soon to see our wonderful pre-school in action and meet our staff.

We have regular Open Days and Stay & Play sessions or you can arrange an individual visit at a time to suit you.

Contact us Phone: 01729 893000 Email: millhouse@giggleswick.org.uk Web:

giggleswick.org.uk/pre-school

Mill House Pre-school Giggleswick, North Yorkshire BD24 0DG 01729 893000 | giggleswick.org.uk/pre-school