Composition to 5
18-03-2025
This morning in preschool we have been looking at different ways to make 5.
Welcome to St. Jude’s Preschool
On behalf of the children and staff at St. Jude’s Preschool we would like to offer you a warm welcome and provide you with an overview of our pre-school and hopefully provide you with the answers to some of the questions you may have! Our preschool offers term time places for children between the age of three and four years, whereby the majority of whom choose to continue their learning journey with St Jude’s school itself.
Children are eligible to begin Preschool at the start of the term immediately following their 3rd birthday. Parents must complete a St Jude’s Preschool Application Form.
For more information or to request an application form, please pop into school or call 01942 204091.
Our Preschool Day
The Pre-school is open during term time and adopts the same term time dates used by the school, which often makes it much simpler for those families that have siblings in Pre-school and in school.
We open our doors at 8.45am and offer a combination of morning and afternoon half day sessions, as well as a full day session, whereby we will work with yourselves to help choose the right combination of sessions to suit the needs of your child, as this can often vary as they begin to grow and develop in preparation for school life.
Preschool Room
Our Preschool offers places for children between the ages of 3 and 4 years of age. The room itself can accommodate 26 children in a session and is run by a qualified, experienced Early Years teacher and a qualified Preschool Assistant. We offer a free-flow system, whereby the children are able to access an indoor and an outdoor provision. The outdoor provision is shared with the Reception class children, which over time supports a seamless transition for the children that go on to attend the school.
The Curriculum
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), a framework set out by the Department for Education (DFE). The framework sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five years of age.
The EYFS explains how children will learn and ensure their readiness for school, through focusing on 7 areas of learning and development. Initially, 3 prime areas; Making Relationships, Communication & Language and Physical Development. As children continue to grow, the prime areas will support the development in the specific area of learning, which include, Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and understanding of the World and Expressive Arts.
Children are unique and will learn and develop at different stages and different rates across each of the areas of learning, where we ensure that the nursery provision and activities are tailored to meet the needs of the individual child, offering a fun, stimulating, happy, safe and secure environment in which to learn. We want our children to be happy and confident in their love for learning as they carry on their educational journey into school.
The government produced a document entitled, ‘What to expect, when?’ Guidance to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage. This can be found in the parent area of the foundationyears.org.uk website.
Funding
There are currently two separate government funded childcare schemes that offer free childcare for children aged three and four years and each has its own eligibility criteria.
- Three Year old funding – 15 hours free government funded early years education.
(This scheme is open to ALL 3 and 4-year olds. Parents / carers should be able to start receiving the childcare from 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 3rd birthday).
- 30 hours free childcare – 30 hours free government funded early years education.
For further information, please refer to the following government website https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ or contact nursery for further information.
Continuing the Learning Journey
As a Pre-school we are very much a part of the early years unit at St Jude’s and our families are strongly supported by all the staff within the school, to ensure that they are made to feel part of our school family. Our Headteacher, Mr Wilson works in partnership with our Pre-school team to support the children’s learning and development, in ensuring that they achieve their full potential and positive outcomes.
Preparing and supporting our children on their learning journey is vital, leading to their transition into school. We work closely with all staff and parents from an early stage to ensure that this transition is made as seamless as possible for all children. The majority of children choose to continue their education with St Jude’s school and because of our relationship, the Reception team and children already know each other really well, the children are familiar with the learning environment, planning and support is already in place and starting school is seen as a natural progression for all.
For those children who spread their wings to other schools, we provide them with as much information as possible, to ensure that they know our children well, just as we do.
Preschool Fees
If you do not qualify for one of the government funded childcare schemes or you simply wish to top up your child’s Pre-school sessions, the following fees apply;
Morning Session (3 hours) – £15.75, Afternoon Session (3 hours) – £15.75
Pre-school is open term time only 8.45am – 3.15pm
For those children attending a full day session and requiring a school dinner, the cost is £1.82.
Families also have the option of their child attending Wraparound care which is available everyday from 7.45am until 5.15pm. For more information please see our Wraparound Care page.
Opening Times
We offer the following sessions;
Morning session: 08:45am – 11.45am
Afternoon session: 12:15pm – 15:15pm
Full Day Session: 08:45am – 15:15pm
We will discuss with you the best combination of Preschool to support your child, however we do recommend that they attend a minimum of two sessions in a week, which establishes a good routine in a little person’s life.
Useful Websites:
There are many useful website where you can seek advice or refer to support your child’s learning and development at home;
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
Preschool-Info-Booklet-2024St Jude’s Pre-school is a governor run early years provision set up under Section 27 of the Education Act 2002 . The Pre-school operates within St Jude’s Catholic Primary School under the trusteeship of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. As a section 27 provision the governing body is solely responsible for taking the decisions on applications for admissions.
St Jude’s Preschool Chatter
Pizza making 🍕❤️
10-03-2025
In preschool today we have been making pizza, we used all different toppings to show it is ok for everyone to like different things. ❤️🍕⭐️
Preschool outdoor learning
06-03-2025
Preschool have been enjoying playing in our mud kitchen and planting some herbs in our planting patch.
Preschool
03-03-2025
Investigating forces
Preschool have been investigating magnets around class.
Open evening ❤️🌈⭐️
18-11-2024
🌟 📚 Do you have a child due to start Reception Class in September 2025?
Applications have opened on the Wigan Council website and will close on 25th January 2025. Between now and the closing date is your opportunity to visit local primary schools and choose the right school for your child. ❤️
📚 To give prospective families a closer look at our fantastic reception class and the experiences we offer, we invite you to our Open Evening on Wednesday, 27th November from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
🍎 Join us to tour school, meet our dedicated staff and discover all that St. Jude’s has to offer. It’s a perfect opportunity to ask questions and see firsthand how we create a supportive and stimulating environment for our youngest learners.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of our nurturing, vibrant school community! We can’t wait to welcome you and your child.
⭐️ For more information and to apply, visit the Wigan Council website today! https://www.wigan.gov.uk/resident/education/schools/school-admissions/primary-schools.aspx
StJudesschool #Reception2025 #OpenEvening #WiganCouncil #EarlyYearsEducation #FutureofEducation
❤️💛 Making patterns 💛❤️
15-11-2024
Today in preschool we used linking cubes to make patterns. ❤️💛
🐻❤️ Children in Need ❤️🐻
15-11-2024
This morning in preschool we are celebrating children in need by making some of our own Pudsey ears. ❤️🐻⭐️
🌎❤️ World Kindness Day ❤️ 🌎
13-11-2024
In preschool today we decided to show people in our school environment how much we care about them. 🥰 We made some lovely cards and brought some delicious chocolates. Then we went around school showing random acts of kindness to others. 🥰
🧦 Odd socks day in preschool 🧦
12-11-2024
Today in preschool we all wore our odd socks to support anti bullying week. ❤️
⭐️❤️🥰 Open Evening 🥰❤️⭐️
12-11-2024
🌟 📚 Do you have a child due to start Reception Class in September 2025?
Applications have opened on the Wigan Council website and will close on 25th January 2025. Between now and the closing date is your opportunity to visit local primary schools and choose the right school for your child. ❤️
📚 To give prospective families a closer look at our fantastic reception class and the experiences we offer, we invite you to our Open Evening on Wednesday, 27th November from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
🍎 Join us to tour school, meet our dedicated staff and discover all that St. Jude’s has to offer. It’s a perfect opportunity to ask questions and see firsthand how we create a supportive and stimulating environment for our youngest learners.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of our nurturing, vibrant school community! We can’t wait to welcome you and your child.
⭐️ For more information and to apply, visit the Wigan Council website today! https://www.wigan.gov.uk/resident/education/schools/school-admissions/primary-schools.aspx
StJudesschool #Reception2025 #OpenEvening #WiganCouncil #EarlyYearsEducation #FutureofEducation
❤️🌈⭐️ Fun Friday in Early Years ⭐️🌈❤️
08-11-2024
What a lovely morning we have had in our early years department this morning. ⭐️
We have been using our water play equipment, we have been pouring, mixing and strengthening our developing gross and fine motor skills.
Learning about number two. 🌈
06-11-2024
Our focus this week in maths is all about the number two. ⭐️🌈🥰
Showing love in preschool. ❤️
06-11-2024
In our RE topic this week we have been looking and learning all about how God loves everyone and how Mary loved Jesus. To celebrate this we made a collage heart to hang in our RE area. ❤️🙏
Bonfire night 🔥🎆🍂❤️
05-11-2024
We have been learning all about bonfire night today. ❤️
We have made some salt art fire work pictures. 🎆 We have watched about what we need to do to stay safe on bonfire night. 🔥 And we have celebrated our learning in our floor book. 😊
Meg and mog 🕷🧪🍂
05-11-2024
In preschool this morning we have been continuing our ‘Meg and Mog’ story. We went into the school grounds with our nature wands, and made some nature potions. 🧪❤️
Preschool potions 🧪⭐️🕷
04-11-2024
Our amazing potions are ready! ⭐️
We went to collect them from the kitchen, and we noticed they weren’t like water anymore. One child said “it’s wobbly!” ❤️
We then enjoyed our wonderful creation together for an afternoon snack. 💛
Well done preschool! 🧪🥰
Reception class 2024 open evening. 🌈
04-11-2024
🌟 📚 Do you have a child due to start Reception Class in September 2025?
Applications have opened on the Wigan Council website and will close on 25th January 2025. Between now and the closing date is your opportunity to visit local primary schools and choose the right school for your child. ❤️
📚 To give prospective families a closer look at our fantastic reception class and the experiences we offer, we invite you to our Open Evening on Wednesday, 27th November from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
🍎 Join us to tour school, meet our dedicated staff and discover all that St. Jude’s has to offer. It’s a perfect opportunity to ask questions and see firsthand how we create a supportive and stimulating environment for our youngest learners.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of our nurturing, vibrant school community! We can’t wait to welcome you and your child.
⭐️ For more information and to apply, visit the Wigan Council website today! https://www.wigan.gov.uk/resident/education/schools/school-admissions/primary-schools.aspx
StJudesschool #Reception2025 #OpenEvening #WiganCouncil #EarlyYearsEducation #FutureofEducation
Making potions 🧪❤️⭐️
04-11-2024
This morning in preschool we have been reading one of our termly stories “Meg and Mog” and in the story they made a potion, so preschool decided what an amazing idea it would be to make our own potion. We worked together to mix, pour and stir our amazing potion. We will keep checking our potion to see how it changes from a liquid to a solid. We look forward to updating you with our marvellous creations. ❤️
Looking for signs of autumn 🍂
01-11-2024
Preschool went for a walk in our school grounds, and we have been looking for signs of autumn. 🍁 We went to the spiritual garden to observe the leaves changing on our trees. 🌳
Yayoi Kusama Pumpkins 🎃 🖼
01-11-2024
In art preschool have been learning all about Yayoi Kusaman, and how she painted spots on pumpkins. We got our own pumpkins together and set off to work, we worked together to make our spotty pumpkins, we was showing amazing sharing and turn taking skills. Well done preschool. 🧡🎃
Story time with Mr Wilson. 📚 🐻 ❤️
01-11-2024
Mr Wilson came to preschool and he brought one of his favourite stories with him, We’re Going On a Bear Hunt 🐻. The children were so excited, we thought we need to document this special moment in our floor book. ❤️
Clay hedgehogs in preschool. 🦔
01-11-2024
In preschool we have been learning all about hedgehogs. We had an amazing idea to make our own clay hedgehogs. We used our fine motor skills to model and mould our clay. When we had made our hedgehog shapes, we then added our eyes, nose and the very important spikes. Well done preschool.
Drawing Club
20-09-2024
Preschool Drawing Club
This week preschool have begun Drawing club. Our first text is, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.
All About Me Biscuits
18-09-2024
Our topic this autumn is All About Me. We can all identify the parts of our face. We decorated some biscuits and spoke about how everyone is different and how out biscuits are different too.
