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Steam Mills Pre-School

 

Steam Mills Pre-School is set in a beautiful location overlooking the Forest of Dean and became part of Steam Mills Primary School in September 2016.

We constantly strive to evaluate and improve our ability to provide high quality childcare and education, where children learn through play in a safe, secure and happy environment.

We have an ethos that promotes equality and diversity, and welcome children and families from all cultures and backgrounds. We also welcome children with special educational needs and disabilities, and pride ourselves on our ability to be able to help them to meet their full potential. (Article 2- The right to non-discrimination. Article 23- Children with disabilities should be able to live the best life possible in society)

We invite applications from all children and families in our local community and do not have any specific entry criteria. We welcome prospective children and their families to visit the Pre-School at any time without obligation, and offer a free taster session to all children on our waiting list. Please do not hesitate to contact us via telephone or email if you would like any further information, or to make an appointment to visit the Pre-School. We look forward to hearing from you!
 
"Children in pre-school enjoy stimulating learning resources and the care and support that staff provide. Children play happily in the imaginative inside and outside play areas, developing their language and social skills as they do so." Ofsted, Feb 2022
 
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Following the children's interest of 'The Hungry Caterpillar' story, we looked at the life cycle of a butterfly and followed our own caterpillars journey from a caterpillar to a butterfly. We had our own caterpillars at Pre-School that the children looked after and watched change. When they have completed the cycle, we let the butterflies go. 
Yoga Sessions 
Here are a selection of photos of Pre-School taking part in Yoga at the school. The children enjoy their sessions every Thursday with Caroline, where they learn basic poses, developing their balancing skills and concentration.
 
Forest Schools!
We have been taking trips to the Forest School area where the children have been able to explore the woodland area. We always have great fun exploring the woods, as well as using the natural materials over there to play, test our balancing skills and play games such as hide and seek!
 
Sports day practice and Sports Day
Every summer, have our Sports Day! We took part in Sports Day with Pro Stars where we did a range of activities - fencing, target shooting, running races and throwing. 
We also did our Pre-School Sports Day where we did an egg and spoon race, a balancing a bean bag on our head race, a hula-hoop race and a running race. The children did a lot of practicing out on the school field and were all great on the day! They were all awarded with a medal and a small bag of sweets. Well done to everyone who took part!
Santa's Christmas Countdown! 2019
We went on a festive trip to Cheltenham's bacon theatre. The children had a brilliant time! We had an exciting bus ride full of Christmas cheer. The children had the opportunity to see Santa and help him get ready for his big Christmas eve journey! We had a sing a long show to help him collect his items for the Christmas gifts, we made paper snowflakes and even got to meet Santa and his elf Rosie, face to face! Where Santa gave each child a wrapped present, which we enjoyed opening on our return to pre school.
Our tadpoles have grown into frogs!
A lovely Nanny brought into Preschool some frogspawn and ever since then, we have watched them turn into tadpoles and now into frogs! We gave them a little home of their own in the red tub in the outdoor and have regularly given them fresh water and food. We are so excited to see that some of our tadpoles have developed into frogs and we now have some pets at Preschool for a short time before they need to be returned to the stream. 
Outdoor FUN!
We enjoy a range of activities outside, as well as lots of fun during free play! This includes painting, sand play, constructing in our builders yard as well as lots of water play in the sun, planting our new flowers and keeping an eye on the beautiful baby birds we had in our bird box during the spring!
 
Loose Parts 
In our pre school we encourage the children to play with loose parts, giving them the chance to look objects with any purpose to use in their paly, as we are becomin a natural based setting.