Woodcote Pre-school

We choose Woodcote Pre-school partly due to their flexibility regarding age and session availability, but also following a visit to the school by my husband it was clear the pre-school was extremely well run and the children were happy and fully entertained. Alfie has now been at the pre-school for 7 months and we are very pleased with it. The staff are so friendly and the activities organised are fun, varied and educational. The allotment owned by the pre-school group is also a big attraction as this teaches the children about the environment, wildlife and growing your own veg. All in all, the pre-school is great and Alfie is very happy there.
Jane & Mark—May 2008

I have loved my time at Woodcote Pre-school. I was a pre-school parent before joining the staff and I've seen a lot of changes over the years. It's changed from a simple playgroup to a full day care pre-school, subject to all the Ofsted rules and regulations. The pre-school's always had a lovely, relaxed, family atmosphere. I think it's because we've all worked together for so long and approach the job with a sense of humour.
Jill Turner

It's great to see a small, charitable institution taking the initiative in promoting healthy eating and environmental issues.
Antony Worrall Thompson

Woodcote Pre-school is leading the way in providing traditional, nutritious meals. Other schools would do well to follow their example.
Boris Johnson

We would like to thank you for all the care and attention given to [J] at the pre-school since she joined. You really have done a quite remarkabele job, and [J] is a more confident and outgoing person for the experience she has had at Woodcote.
A & I

As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks
Were walking out one Sunday,
Says Tommy Snooks to Bessy Brooks,
"Tomorrow will be...
...Munch Bunch"
Connie — aged 2¾

My son loves going to Woodcote Pre-school, even when we don't even live in the village. In fact we live 11 miles away and on Wednesday we end up doing an extra 44 miles out of our way, just so that he can go there and see his favourite teachers and friends.

During the holidays is worse as he never stops talking about it and continually asks when the holidays are going to end, so that he can return to Pre-school and see his friends again.

Comparing the meals that I make to what Avril cooks for him at the lunch club is a challenge. But lunch club at Woodcote Pre-school is what enables me to carry on working. It bridges the gap between the morning and afternoon sessions and allows my son to enjoy eating a healthy meal, socially with other children, which as an only child he doesn't ordinarily do.

From the outset we were both made very welcome, not by just the staff, but by the children and their parents. The Pre-school is very adaptable, flexible and accommodating to our individual needs and requirements – usually at short notice!

Most important of all is that as a parent I am comfortable with where my son is and who he is with, when I can not be with him and that he is enjoying himself and having a great time. The time I do spend with him makes me proud that the choice I made with Woodcote Pre-school was definitely the best decision I made. My son daily surprises me with things that he says and does, that I know could only have come from there.

Angela E.

A year ago, my husband and I, with our two children moved to Woodcote from London. I was a full time working mother in London and my children were looked after by the most amazing childminder. So when we moved, although my working hours were reduced, there was still a requirement to find some childcare. Without the help of friends to advise on local arrangements the obvious solution was a Day Nursery close to the train station that was open practically all year and from 07.30 to 18.00. What we didn't factor in was that the children might not settle! Our youngest (then 7 months) had a difficult five months before we were able to make alternative arrangements. The older one, then two and a half, also started to express a preference for [Woodcote] Pre-school where she seemed generally much happier and brighter. Our dilemma was that, as working parents, we had to sort out the mornings and afternoons, and school holidays. But thanks to some excellent friends that we have made in the last year, we were able to move our daughter from the nursery to the Pre-school.

The huge advantage for us with the Pre-school is that it is friendly and within walking distance of home. It is flexible and our daughter loves it, she loves the fact there aren't too many children, the small friendly size is not intimidating to her. It is not too noisy, but there is enough room for her to let off steam. It is structured but not too regimental, and she is making friends and learning things. She is always talking about what she has done, who she has played with, and about the "grown-ups". To us it is a huge weight off our minds, to know that she is happy.

For us, this arrangement relies heavily on the support and availability of friends (and for many local people, family) given the restrictions of term dates and hours, and the lack of compatibility with a working lifestyle. However, to know our daughter is making friends, happy and, hopefully, learning something is all that matters.

Ben H.

Shortly after having my second child, I was diagnosed as having post-natal depression and had to take anti-depressants for a long time. Life at home by myself with two children became very tedious for me and a lot of small things were blown out of all proportion and my patience was becoming very short and tempers were boiling. A friend of mine suggested I looked into finding someone or somewhere to take my son, then aged two years, off my hands for a few hours a week to give me some breathing space.

After looking at various nurseries, I found Woodcote Pre-school. I had stumbled across a large, bright and friendly group who would care for my son from the age of two, in or out of nappies. I couldn't believe my luck. I was made to feel very welcome when Sharron, the Pre-school Leader, showed me around the facilities. To know that my son would be well looked after, and that they could give him lunch if needed, for a few hours a day made both his and my mornings very happy ones.

Being on Income Support, I was concerned when I was told that fees were to be paid in advance for a half-term. After discussing this confidentially, I was told that, if it helped me, I could pay each week.

My son looks forward to going to school three times a week now and the break has done me the world of good. I am off the tablets now and am looking forward to starting work again in the New Year. Happiness in my home has returned. I now look forward to the mornings and help the school as best I can by baking cakes and cookies for their coffee mornings. It's not much, but if I could write their praises in the sky by plane I would. Woodcote Pre-school has made a big difference to my well-being by just offering that short welcome break a few hours a week.

I would recommend the school to other mothers who would like their child to experience fun and frolic and food to come along and spend time in the company of other happy children and very patient and helpful grown-ups.

D. N.

I like making cakes with Ana. I love Tuesdays because I have Plus 4s lessons with Chris and I go to the library.
Robert — aged 4½

I like Pre-school because it has got lots of cars. I would like to go to Pre-school all of the time. I would like to go all of the day and all of the night.
Tom — aged 3½

When I first heard about pre-schools, I was opposed to the idea. I considered that children's very early development was best done at home. I was worried that pre-school would be too formal. I feel that education is very important, but that it should be started at the right time.
By the time my little boy was 2¼, it became clear that he was getting a bit bored at home. He began attending Woodcote Pre-school for two mornings a week, gradually increasing to four sessions. It is obvious that he really enjoys his time there, particularly his afternoons, when he often goes on trips around the village.
I was very relieved to see that the environment is informal and friendly, and that the children are taught gently through play. Another surprise was how much his development has been helped by the contrast between learning at home and at pre-school.
I very much admire the dedication and expertise of the staff. Woodcote Pre-school is clearly run by people who do the job because they love it. My son often talks about the members of staff, who he respects and regards as his friends.
Rob

I love Astrid best in all the world, but I like playing outside on the grass too.
Harry — aged 3

It's always so calm and relaxed whenever you go in. The staff are always friendly and happy to talk to you.
Veronique M

I like Mrs. Avril's room. There are lots of boys.
I like doing cooking with Mrs. Ana. We make ginger cakes and we eat them.
Tom H — aged 2¾

I had fairly set views about child care and felt that my son would be best off at home with me. Within three months of the birth of my second child I had changed my mind! It was clear to me that my son was bored whilst I spent all my time breastfeeding. He settled in to Woodcote Pre-school immediately and loves his time there. Often it's all I can do to persuade him to come home after lunch!
Ruth H


This page was last updated on Tuesday 27 May 2008 Copyright © 2003–2008 Rob Hubbard and Woodcote Pre-school Group

Why I Like Woodcote Pre-school