What We Do

Fun and learning through play

All Saints’ provides a safe and friendly environment for children to learn and develop in. We use a wide range of toys, resources and experiences to encourage children to explore their indoor and outdoor environment. Regular trips into the community mean ‘crocodiles’ of All Saints’ pre-schoolers are a familiar sight in Ilkley and we are proud to be among the first pre-schools to introduce the innovative ‘Forest Schools’ approach to learning

All Saints’ Forest School

Forest Schools offer children a very different learning environment, free from the traditional fixed rules of the classroom. Our Forest School is in the heart of Middleton Woods and is available to our Rising Five children on alternate Wednesday afternoons from March. The sessions are carefully prepared, structured and supervised by trained staff but they allow children to take risks, discover news skills and establish personal rules and boundaries for themselves. It’s all great fun but here are just some examples of the skills your Rising Five child can learn in our Forest School:

·         Trust

·         Confidence

·         Listening

·         Decision-making

·         Team-work and social skills

·         Physical co-ordination

·         Appreciation of the environment

·         Greater understanding of man-made and natural materials

Just one note of caution - we believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! Getting wet and muddy, rolling in grass and feeling hot, cold or sweaty are all part of the learning experience so please make sure your Rising Five child is dressed sensibly on Forest School days.

Rising 5's Sessions   

We work closely with All Saints’ Primary School and other local primary schools to ensure your child’s transition to school goes smoothly. Our Rising Fives sessions are structured to meet the specific learning and developmental needs of older children and our well co-ordinated transition process ensures they are socially and emotionally ready to take on ‘big school’. All Rising Five children have a chance to visit to their chosen primary school and stay for lunch. Our Rising Fives enjoy:

·         Community visits to All Saints Church, Manor House Museum, the park and moors.

·         Specialist trips to Darwin Gardens, Otley Courthouse, Booths supermarket and train trips.

·         Our Forest Schools programme in Middleton Woods

·         Dedicated PE sessions

We also prepare children for school by:

·         Introducing them to phonics

·         Exploring numbers in a fun and exciting ways

·         Developing their language and communication skills

A Typical Day at Pre-school

9:15 – Welcome to pre-school! Children are greeted at the door, choose their names and come into pre-school.

9:20 – Registration. Children sit on the carpet and share their news; we have a chat about what they may have done and explain the variety of activities they can choose to do.

9:30 - 11.30 - Inside/outside play. Most of the session is taken up with free-flow play activities. Only in very cold and wet weather do we stay inside. Children can access the outside area whenever they choose.

10:00 - 11:00 - Snack time! Children have a choice of snack, such as fruit and then a piece of toast, bread sticks, rice cakes and lots of other healthy options.

11:50 - The children come together again either to sing, have music time, puppet shows, music and movement or mini gym.

12.05 - Story time.

12:15 - Home time! Children are reunited with their parents when their names are called out. Works of art are picked up, goodbyes are said, and another exciting and fun day here at pre-school comes to an end.