Sessions
Opening Hours
At Woodchester Playgroup we take children from 2 years & 9 months to school age. We are open during term time only and mirror the term dates and inset days of Woodchester Endowed School. Term dates are available below, here are our daily opening hours:
Monday: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Tuesday: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Wednesday: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Thursday: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am to 3.00pm
If you are interested in finding out more about our setting and would like to arrange a visit please contact us for more information, click here to see our contact details. Once we have received your application pack then a non-refundable registration fee will be payable to confirm your child’s place.
Meals & Snacks
Children are offered a snack mid morning and afternoon. Snacks will promote healthy eating such as fruit breadsticks, carrot sticks and crackers. We offer a drink of milk at this time, and water will be available throughout the day. Children staying past midday will need to bring in a packed lunch.
Daily Routine
9.00am: Children choose their own learning and free play.
09.50am: “Tidy up time”
10.00am: “Talk about time”
10.10am: Snack time
10.30am: Circle time- independent stories
10.45am:Garden time
11.45am:Story
12.00pm: End of morning session and Lunchtime.
12.45pm: Children choose their own learning and free play.
2.30pm: Afternoon drink and snack. Storytime.
3.00pm: Home time.
Getting to Woodchester Playgroup
Unofficial one-way system: To ensure the safety of all, school have an unofficial one-way system for the school/playgroup drop off/pick up. Please approach Church Road from the top by The Royal Oak and follow the road around past the church. Alternatively, park further away and walk part of the way.
No stopping or parking on the zigzags.
Ofsted & PATA Gloucestershire
We are registered with and inspected by Ofsted, and again received a rating of 'Good' following our last inspection in March 2023.
We are also registered with PATA who provide us with training and guidance in educational matters.
Fees
Woodchester Playgroup charges an hourly rate of £5.50. Children can opt to stay mornings only (9.00am-12pm) or enjoy a full day, finishing at 3.00pm. There is always flexibility with new starters.
If you wish to change your child's booked sessions please speak to the Playgroup Leader. The more notice given the more chance you have of the session being available.
Fees are payable on a half termly basis (about 6 weeks) and each school year consists of 6 half terms. Parents are notified of the required fees towards the end of the half term and are payable in advance before the start of the next term. The invoices must be settled before the due date please. Please note fees are payable whether your child attends or not, through illness or holiday.
Funding
Accreditation
We are in receipt of the Early Years Free Entitlement funding for three and four year olds. Children become eligible for Early Years Free Entitlement the term after their third birthday and this provides them with 15 or 30 free hours a week childcare (amount depends on parents circumstances). Should your child attend more than their eligible hours a week you will be invoiced for the shortfall.
We are also registered to accept Busy Bees, Computershare and other types of employer supported childcare vouchers - please speak to the Playgroup Leader for more details.
Drop Off & Pick Up Arrangements
Drop-off at 9 am - Enter the school car park, through the tall green gate next to the school reception and wait on the back playground. Staff will come out to the playground and ring the bells; the children will filter into the playgroup building. Please be on time as the gate will be closed promptly by school staff.
Pick-up at 12pm & 3pm- Please wait outside the gates in the staff car park, located near the school reception area.
Please telephone us before 8.50am if your child is going to be absent from their session. You MUST be on time rather than early or late. It is extremely important that you are prompt with drop off and collection as these times are coordinated with the school’s arrangements.
If on the rare occasion you are late, you will need to telephone the playgroup and a member of staff will meet you at the allocated entrance.
You may only enter the school site at drop-off and pick-up, please do not enter at any other times unless arrangements have been made.