Admissions
Woodlands accepts children from 2 years old. Although not eligible for Funded Entitlement until the term after they turn 3, some children may be entitled to 2 year old funding, depending on family circumstances. In the term after a child turns 3 they are entitled to access a minimum of 15 hours per week of Funded Entitlement, however some may be eligible for up to 30 hours. Please ask for details or look at the Childcare Choices website for further information. Where this does not apply fees are payable and from September 2025 these will be £7.00 per hour for 3 and 4 year olds and £8.25 per hour for 2 year olds. If you are unsure or have any questions about funding then please get in contact. In order to secure your child’s place there is a refundable registration fee of £20, this is returned to you (or deducted from your invoice if applicable) once your child has completed their first half term at Woodlands.
We acknowledge that parents may choose to stagger the take up of their child’s entitlement over their time with us and some children start on 9 or 12 hours (3 or 4 sessions) per week. When a child starts with us at the age of 2 we will offer morning sessions only until they turn 2.5 years old. Where a child attends another setting as well as Woodlands, in some circumstances, funding can be split between the two settings. Please speak to the Setting Administrator for details.
From September 2025 we will offer a breakfast club from 8.30am and an early start from 9.00am, these are not able to be included in funded hours and a fee is applicable for both. There is also a ‘consumables and extra-curricular activities’ charge of £10 per half term. This will be used to cover things like yoga, dance, music, Living Eggs etc. If you are unable to afford this cost, please speak to us to discuss alternative options available
Prior to a child starting at Woodlands, we will need to see evidence of your child’s date of birth, and we will ask you to sign and uphold the Parent/Provider Agreement for Free Entitlement, which will be supplied to you.
| From September 2025
Session |
Time | Fee/Funded Entitlement | Fees for 2 year olds
(£8.25 per hour) |
Fees for 3 & 4 year olds
(£7.00 per hour) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast Club (includes food) | 8.30am-9am | Fee | £5.00 | £4.50 |
| Early Start | 9am-9.30am | Fee | £4.00 | £4.50 |
| Morning | 9.30am-12.30pm | Funded Entitlement or Fee | £24.75 | £21.00 |
| Short Afternoon* | 12.30pm-2.30pm | Funded Entitlement or Fee | £16.50 | £14.00 |
| Extended Afternoon* | 12.30pm-3.30pm | Funded Entitlement or Fee | £24.75 | £21.00 |
Please note that the extended afternoon session is not available on Fridays, the day ends at 2.30pm on a Friday
Please note that we offer morning sessions only for 2 year olds until they turn 2.5 years old.
*Only available when taken with a morning session
FAQ’s
Parents understandably have a lot of questions before they select a preschool, so we have listed some of those more commonly asked. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, then please Contact Us and we will come back to you as soon as we can.
We take children from 2 years old (on payment of appropriate fees if not in receipt of 2 year old funding). We currently offer morning sessions only for 2 year olds until they turn 2.5 years old. Please see our Admissions page for more information.
Woodlands is registered to offer places with Funded Entitlement but if a child exceeds their statutory entitlement or is not eligible for the Funded Entitlement, our charges from September 2025 are £7.00 per hour for 3 and 4 year olds and £8.25 per hour for 2 year olds. In order to secure your child’s place there is a refundable registration fee of £20, this is returned to you (or deducted from your first invoice if applicable) once your child has completed their first half term at Woodlands.
Yes you can. We are registered with the Tax Free Childcare Scheme as well as several childcare voucher companies. Speak to our Administrator for details.
Numbers can fluctuate by day and term, but generally, there will be somewhere between 20 and 35 children. There is always at least one adult for every 6 children to ensure that we meet every individual’s requirements.
We admit children on a first-come, first-served basis and some terms are busier than others. Please contact the Administrator for further details.
Acquiring the skills necessary to use a toilet is a stage in a child’s development. Staff are always available to change nappies/pull-ups and help children become comfortable and independent with using the toilet.
Absolutely! We welcome visitors to Woodlands at any time, but we would ask that you phone first to ensure you don’t catch us on a day when we are out on one of our walks. Our Leaders or Administrator are happy to show visitors around and answer any questions.
No. We work closely with the two local schools, but our children progress to a wide variety of primary schools.
We operate Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm during normal term time. On Fridays we are open 9.30am – 2.30pm. We offer a Breakfast Club from 8.30am-9am and an Early Start from 9.00am-9.30am. Our terms run in line with most local schools.
We encourage regular dialogue between staff and parents and offer the opportunity in the Autumn and Spring terms to attend our Parents Evenings where you can review your child’s file and meet with a Leader and their Keyperson. When a child leaves Woodlands for primary school, we invite teachers to visit and see the child in our setting to aid the transition. All primary schools are sent a copy of the child’s final report. You will be sent a login to our online Tapestry system which will allow you to see observations and photos of what your child has been doing at Woodlands.
Where a child attends 2 settings, we will liaise with the other to ensure the best outcome for the child. This may be by telephone or in person.
Visitors are an important part of the curriculum. We have a regular yoga session with Jo and a regular dance session with Gemma as well as visits to the Downley Community Library. Other visitors in the past have included Firemen, Police Officers, Hearing Dogs and ‘Rosie the Tractor’.
Yes. Uniform is not compulsory, however, has proved very popular with parents and children alike. View our Woodlands clothing. We also have a selection of second-hand items available.
We ask that all children bring a pair of wellington boots to preschool that they can change in to before they go outside to play.
Yes. Sometimes a familiar toy helps a child to settle in their first days at preschool, however, we have a wide variety of toys and equipment so hopefully, this will not be required for too long.
We do ask that children bring a sports style water bottle, filled with fresh water to every session, but cups and water are always available if a child forgets.
We have an ‘open door’ policy so you are always welcome to stay and help during sessions and see everything the children do and learn.
Sorry, no. Staff regularly take photos of the children to help monitor and evaluate their progress, but we do not permit parents to use any photographic devices during regular sessions. You will be able to see the photos of your child on their Tapestry Account. Exceptions are of course made for events such as sports day, the Christmas Concert and the Leavers Party.
Only staff cars are permitted on site, but there is plenty of parking available around the common.
Woodlands is managed by a Board of Trustees and our AGM is held in September every year. We also have a fundraising committee that organises various events throughout the year in order to raise much needed funds for the pre-school. Parents are welcome to join the fundraising committee at any time. For more details, contact admin@thewoodlandpreschool.co.uk . If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of Woodlands please contact admin@thewoodlandpreschool.co.uk to find out more.
Breakfast club runs each morning, it starts at 8.30am and runs until 9am.
No. The children will be provided with a choice of breakfast cereals and also toast with milk or water to drink.
Breakfast club charges are £5 per day for 2 year olds and £4.50 per day for 3 and 4 year olds, this includes breakfast. Payment is required half termly.
Yes. Places at breakfast club are allocated on a first come first served basis and must be booked termly in advance. Contact us for details.
The children have lunch at the start of our afternoon session, from 12.30 to 1.00pm
Yes. Your child should bring a packed lunch in the morning. We strongly recommend the use of ice blocks in the lunch boxes, particularly in hot weather.
Woodlands promotes a healthy eating policy and therefore requests that you do not include sweets or fizzy drinks. We also operate a ‘no nuts’ policy (including peanut butter).