Holistic education & childcare
Monday-Thursday
Childcare at Free Spirits
on Norman Court Estate
Childcare
Free Spirits provides childcare for up to 12 children aged 3-11 in one mixed-age 'family style' group. We operate during normal term times and also during half term breaks. Our core day runs 9am-3pm and additional wrap-around hours are available to book at half-hourly intervals for childcare between 8am-5pm. Private tutoring is also available to book on Tuesdays.
Due to the calibre of our highly qualified staff, in addition to the statutory offerings, our children also receive French lessons, Steiner Waldorf activities and compassionate care by our psychologist. Children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to 15 or 30 hours per week of free childcare which can be used at Free Spirits. A supplementary fee of £10 per day is payable for access to these specialities, as well as snacks and seasonal treats.
Free Spirits is a warm and welcoming community of like-minded families, and once registered you will be invited to join the WhatsApp group. You can also stay up to date with what we're up to on our Facebook page. When your child is on site, you can contact the Duty Manager directly on 07375 229926.
Free Spirits is subject to regular Ofsted checks, is obliged to follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Framework for under-fives, and is on both the Early Years and Childcare Registers.
Free Spirits is led by a small team of experienced, qualified practitioners possessing DBS, Safeguarding & Child Protection, First Aid and Basic Food Hygiene certificates.
Structure of the Day
Early arrivals have a choice of indoor and outdoor activities. Once everyone is present, we gather indoors with our shoes off in our cosy main room to sing our Welcome Song together and enjoy a candlelit snack around the dining table.
Children will have access to educational toys and games made from natural materials, a reading armchair and open-ended resources that encourage imagination. We also have a role play area and a home corner including a two-storey castle complete with ladder and slide! The children will be observed during their free time and engaged in academically enhancing play and conversation so that they are learning without realising it. There is a bed should children wish to have a lie down.
During our day, children help to prepare food, lay the table, wash up their crockery and clean the room. There is also a Circle Time with songs, stories, rhymes and learning activities. We play outdoors every day in the garden, meadow, woods and on the play trail.
Our enrichment session at 2:30pm rotates additional activities of dance, cooking, fitness and drama. Children who are with us during wrap-around hours are free to engage in child-led play following their interests, using our inspirational resources and staff expertise to ensure they are happy and suitably stimulated.
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