Laurel Farm Kindergarten Q & As
Laurel Farm Kindergarten Q&As
Engaging children with their head, heart and hands
What is Steiner education?
Steiner education...
· Is for all children irrespective of academic ability, class, ethnicity or religion;
· Takes account of the needs of the whole child – academic, physical, social, emotional and spiritual;
· Develops a love of learning and a community of ‘do-ers’;
· Is based on an understanding of the relevance of the different phases of child development;
· Sees creative play as the work of the small child;
· Views practical and artistic activity and the development of the imagination as integral to learning;
· Is tried and tested and is part of state funded, mainstream provision in most European countries;
· Is respected worldwide for its ability to develop balanced young people who have a strong sense of self and diverse capacities that enable them to become socially and economically responsible citizens thriving in our changing world.
Steiner schools are always co-educational, fully comprehensive and take pupils from 3 to ideally eighteen. They welcome children of all abilities from all faiths and backgrounds. Steiner schools have a reputation for developing well-rounded human beings who respond and lead in a fast-changing world. Steiner graduates are highly sought-after in further education and work place for their unjaded interest in the world and their resourcefulness.
How is Steiner different to mainstream education?
The priority of the Steiner ethos is to provide an unhurried and creative learning environment where children can find the joy in learning and experience the richness of childhood without early specialisation or academic hot-housing. The curriculum itself is a flexible set of pedagogical guidelines, founded on Steiner's principles looking at the whole child. It gives equal attention to the physical, emotional, intellectual, cultural and spiritual needs of each pupil and is designed to work in harmony with the different phases of the child's development. Post 7 years, core subjects are taught in thematic blocks and all lessons include a balance of artistic, practical and intellectual content. Whole class, mixed ability teaching is the norm.
What is the curriculum and why should I choose Laurel Farm Kindergarten?
Laurel Farm Kindergarten will provide rich opportunities for each child’s personal growth and enjoyment. As young children learn through imitation, the aim of the Kindergarten teacher is to offer a positive role model for the children.
Domestic day-to-day tasks, such as washing, preparing the daily snack or table-laying, offer children the experience of engaging in meaningful work. Creative activities, such as painting, bread baking, sewing, and modeling, are also offered daily.
Each morning follows a pattern marked by its own special activity which is repeated weekly. This rhythm fosters a sense of security and confidence which grows as the children revisit the yearly celebrations of seasonal changes and festivals.
As well as the Steiner approach there is also the unique rural setting. The children will see the turning year through the farm’s activities: lambing in spring, the laying and hatching of eggs, summer’s fruition and the autumn harvest. They will experience nature and the seasons with the arrival of frogs and toads, honey bees on the blossom and so on.
What else is currently available?
Greensprouts: Friday 10am -12pm: Steiner inspired Parent and Child group for 0-4 year olds accompanied by a parent. Contact Imogen Guerrini E:
What are the term dates for the school?
The kindergarten will broadly follow Bath and North East Somerset dates. We will observe public holidays. (please see parent handbook for up to date term dates)
What are the opening hours?
The kindergarten will be open:
4 mornings a week: Monday – Thursday from 9.30am – 1.15pm.
2 afternoons a week: Tuesday and Wednesday 1.15pm – 4.30pm
There can be no late arrivers or early leavers as this disrupts the rhythm of the session.
Will food be provided?
During mornings a substantial snack will be provided. Lunch will also be provided for those staying for the afternoon. Food costs are 50p per day. (please see parent handbook for daily menu)
Are there any restrictions on how many or few hours my child can attend?
Children can attend a minimum of 2 mornings. It is ideal if you can choose consecutive mornings / afternoons so your child can enter fully into the kindergarten rhythm.
The parents and teaching staff decide together how much any child shall attend.
I’m not sure about taking my child out of mainstream primary education - can we send our child just till 5 years old?
Yes. However, if the kindergarten becomes over subscribed, as most Steiner schools are, then children who are committed to stay with the school until age 7 will be given priority.
How many children will there be in the kindergarten?
The kindergarten can accommodate up to 18 children of mixed ages from 3-7 years old. In accordance with Steiner principles the recommended number of children is 16, so this is our initial target.
When can my child start? Do you offer Easter starts?
Initially we will accept children the term after they become 3 years old. So if your child is born in December they will be offered a place to start in January. If your child is born in March they will offered a place to start in the summer term. And if they are born in July they will be offered a place to start in the autumn term. Please note that should the school become heavily subscribed we may change entrance to just once or twice a year.
What about sharing lifts & public/ green transport?
As part of Laurel Farm’s Green Travel Plan we strongly encourage you to reduce car journeys and share lifts with those in your area. We will help put families in touch to facilitate this. Peasedown St John has a good bus service (3 per hour, stop is 15 mins walk from Laurel Farm). See www.firstgroup.com for buses Bath /Wells to Peasedown St John via Radstock and villages.
We have 2 bike stands in the car park.
If you have a waiting list how do you decide which children will attend the Kindergarten?
When this happens, each child will be considered on a case by case basis.
In no particular order, entrance criteria will include:
· Ability and willingness to contribute to the running of the kindergarten
· A previous involvement and interest with Steiner education or nursery groups
· Whether there is sibling already at the school
· Commitment to staying in the kindergarten till age seven
· Proximity of home to the school
What are the fees and can I get Early Years Funding?
As a childcare setting registered with OFSTED, we are entitled to receive the Early Years Entitlement (EYE) for 3-4 year old children. EYE covers delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage for up to 15 hours per week, 38 weeks of the year.
In addition to this, we ask parents to contribute to the unique setting as set out below. The charge enables Laurel Farm Kindergarten to provide a teacher currently receiving Steiner Kindergarten Teacher training. The benefits of this are a warm, loving and nurturing environment for your child. Laurel Farm Kindergarten also offers a large outdoor space in farmland surroundings unique to local nursery provision as well as specialist activities and toys made solely from natural materials. We can provide these additional Steiner based activities if sufficient parents pay the charge.
Early Years Entitlement- For more information, please see: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/educationandlearning/pre-schools/Pages/EarlyYearsEntitlement.aspx
This is applied for by Laurel Farm Kindergarten.
Mornings: 9.30-1.15pm
Parent Contribution for Children 3-5 (and one term) Years Old – charge for delivering Steiner based activities is £2.00 per hour
For Children 5-6 years old
The cost is £5.55 per hour.
Afternoons 1.15 – 4.30pm
For Children 3-5 (and one term) Years Old
The cost is £1.45 per hour
For children 5-6 years old
The cost is £5.00 an hour
Enrolment
In order to secure your Kindergarten place for your child we ask for a £50 non-refundable deposit and application form.
PriyaLaurel Farm
17 Carlingcott
Peasedown St. John
BA2 8AN / Email:
Tel: 07873544146
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