Bunnies Preschool (Shephall)
Featherstone Wood School

Featherston Road

Stevenage

Herts

SG2 9PP

Tel:  07754 305 185

shephall@bunniespreschool.co.uk

Please also use our contact form

Bunnies Preschool (Great Ashby)

Great Ashby Community Centre

Whitehorse Lane

Stevenage

SG1 6NH

07562 341 589

greatashby@bunniespreschool.co.uk

NEW STARTERS

For tips and advice to help you and your child on their first day please see our settling in tips sheet.  This can be found by clicking on the Info tab at the top of the page, then settling your child.

Please check each setting for our individual opening hours.

Please see our Facebook pages for all of our latest news.

We use our outside area every day and in all weathers so your child will always need weather appropriate clothing, e.g. a warm coat, a hat and gloves in the winter; a sun hat and plenty of sun cream in the summer.  During cold weather we recommend that you dress your child in layers rather than one thick jumper as this makes regulating their body heat much easier.

If your child is in nappies they will also need to bring to school a changing bag complete with nappies, wipes, nappy sacks etc. 

All children need a FULL change of clothes each session in case of little accidents or messy play.  During potty changing a spare pair of shoes or slippers is also essential!  Please note: we do not allow potties inthe preschool for health and safety reasons.  All our toilets are designed for small children and we have steps as well to ensure that even our smallest children can be independant.

You are welcome to leave changing bags on your child's peg at the end of the session.

ALL fees are payable in advance and may be paid weekly, monthly or half termly in cash, by cheque or by vouchers.

If for any reason you have any trouble paying please speak to Rachel as soon as possible as we cannot afford to let fees remain un-paid without prior agreement.  If you fall more than 2 weeks in arrears then unfortunately you will be jeopardising your child’s place at preschool and it may be offered to another child on our waiting list.  A minimum period of notice is required should your child no longer require their place.

Yes, fees are payable during term time for all the sessions that your child is booked in for.  If your child is sick or on holiday then fees still need to be paid as our running costs remain the same.

If your child is taken ill whilst at Pre School we will contact you if we feel it is necessary for you to collect your child early.  This of course depends on how serious the illness seems.

Parents / carers are asked to keep their children at home if they have an infection, (a cold is ok, so long as the child feels well). If your child has developed anything contagious we would appreciate being alerted so that we can warn other parents.  We will of course respect your confidentiality at all times.  You are also asked not to bring your child to Pre School if they have been suffering from diarrhoea or sickness until they have been symptom free for at least 24 hours.

Yes! We welcome telephone calls from parents at any time. Our numbers are: 

07754 305 185 Bunnies Preschool Shephall

07562 341 589 Bunnies Preschool Great Ashby

All children are entitled to 15 hours free preschool education the term after they turn three.

Funding is avaliable for two year olds, subject to terms and conditions.  For further information please speak to Rachel or visit http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/edlearn/css/flexyears/freeearlyeduc/apply2yroldplace/

Yes, you are able to book additional sessions as long as we have avaliable spaces. We work on a strict staff to child ratio and are limited to the number of children who can be in attendance at any one time. 

We will always try to meet your needs.  Please speak to Rachel or Anna to see if we have any availability.
If you wish to decrease your child's sessions then we ask that you give at least half a term's notice.

All children are welcome to join us for lunch clubs once they are settled with us (subject to avaliability of spaces).  You will need to provide a healthy packed lunch and a drink.  Please speak to Rachel in our Shephall setting or Anthea in our Great Ashby setting for further details or use our contact form.

Yes, if your child has an accident whilst in our care and receives an injury, no matter how minor, you will always be told.  All injuries are recorded in our Accident Record Book; entries list the time and date of the accident, nature of the injury, what treatment, if any, was carried out and by whom.  When you pick your child up at the end of the session you will be asked to sign the book to agree that you are content with how the matter was handled.

We also ask that if your child has had an accident or injury at home or on their way to preschool, however minor, that you please let a member of staff know on arrival so that the accident or injury can be taken  into account should your child become upset or ill later in the day. 

For health and safety reasons there is no allocated parking on the school site for parents of children at Featherstone Wood School or Broadhall Bunnies Preschool (except for blue badge holders).  Please park on Featherston Road or ar The Hyde shops and use the footpath adjacent to the car park to access the preschool.

Buggies can be left outside the preschool during session times; however, we recommend a rain cover to protect the buggy in inclement weather as there is little shelter from the elements.

We serve a mixture of fruit, vegetables, dairy and grain products to the children at snack time, some of which may also contain sesame seed and nut traces.

Our registration forms ask you about any dietary requirements you may have for your child; please keep us informed if your child has or develops any allergies so we can ensure they are provided with snack items.

For more information about common food allergens please follow this link:

http://www.food.gov.uk/business-industry/allergy-guide/allergen-resources#toc-6 

All children starting with us are invited to register with our local children's centre based at The Hyde.

What is a children's centre?  A Children’s Centre is a place, or group of places, where local families with young children can go and enjoy facilities and receive support that they need. Sometimes support may be offered in the home.  The facilities and activities are designed especially for parents expecting a baby, or those with a child under 5 years old. 

There are four children's centres in Stevenage working together in a network.  The Children’s Centre network provides a range of free services for children aged 0-5 years old and their families at four locations in Stevenage, Bedwell, Chells & Manor, St Nicholas & Martins Wood and Shephall, Bandley Hill & Poplars which is the centre located nearest to us.

The groups and services the Stevenage Children's Centre network provides include:

Breastfeeding advice and support. All of the Children’s Centre staff are qualified and trained by UNICEF to deliver breastfeeding advice.

Advice regarding housing, income and debt. Families are able to book appointments with housing advice and the Citizens Advice Bureau at their local Children’s Centre.

Support to apply for two year old funding. Families can apply for pre-school funding through their local Children’s Centre. The network can also provide information on local pre-schools and childcare providers offering good quality early years provision.
Health and antenatal services.  The network offers appointments with Health visitors and Midwives and a Baby Health Clinic on a weekly basis. They also provide a counselling service and holistic therapies on a referral basis.

Courses for families. The network provides a range of courses including health and nutrition, keep fit, baby massage, Maths and English and Parenting Puzzle. Limited Crèche places are available. Please click here to download a copy of the network timetable.

Parenting Support. Children’s Centre workers are able to provide support in the family home around issues such as behaviour management for children aged 5 and under.  The network also has a toy library and groups that parents can enjoy with their little ones such as Rhyme Time, Learning through play and swimming lessons.

Volunteering Opportunities and Adult Education. The Children’s Centre network offers opportunities for people wishing to volunteer with children and families and gain a recognised qualification. They also have close links with North Hertfordshire College and Jobcentre plus.

Local advice and information and parents. The network is able to provide parents with advice on services in the local community.

Please follow these links to find out more about the services and activities that Stevenage Children's Centres.have to offer local families. 

https://www.facebook.com/sbcchildrenscentresnetwork?fref=ts
http://www.stevenage.gov.uk/about-stevenage/childrens-centres/