If you have questions we’re here to help.
Tomorrow Starts Here.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that your child’s choice of pre-school is an important first step on the education ladder and you are bound to have many questions. Here’s some answers to the most frequently asked questions about our pre-school.
Home-School Communication
A parent meeting is held in autumn term to discuss how the children have settled into the setting. I would strongly encourage you to attend this meeting, not only to talk to Early Years staff and get to know them, but also to discuss your child’s progress.
Pre-school operates on an ‘open door’ policy. We try our very best to chat to each and every parent or family member as often as possible and we are more than happy to talk at drop-off and pick-up.
You are always free to make an appointment to talk to any of the staff and we will be happy to accommodate you. If you are a working parent, we can find a time to suit your availability and can make arrangements to meet on Teams. Similarly, you may find that during the course of the year, we might request an opportunity to discuss your child’s progress in a more formal setting. We are happy to communicate via phone or email if you wish.
Apps and Meetings
You will receive observations throughout the school day through the EvidenceMe app, with the children receiving written reports at the end of each term, with the summer report being the most extensive.
Parent workshops take place in the spring term and are an opportunity for you to see your child’s learning in action.
A meeting will be held at the end of each summer term for parents of children due to start in Reception. This meeting will give the opportunity to discuss uniform, changes to daily routines and any other common queries.
School Post is also used as a tool to update the families on key information and communication – this link will be made available to you upon joining.
Our door is always open, so do not feel the need to wait until the above events to discuss issues or chat to us. You are welcome to pop in at the beginning or end of any school day or make an appointment if you would like a longer conversation. You can also call on 01768 891291 or email us at: Office@hunterhall.cumbria.sch.uk
Learning Journal
As well as an open-door policy allowing daily communication, parents are updated on their child’s learning journey through the EvidenceMe app.
Don’t forget that you can help to build your child’s learning journey and progress record. Observations from home help us to build a whole picture of each child. You are your child’s first and most important educator and we value everything that your child does whilst with you. All you need to do is send any photos/videos, along with your comments by using the EvidenceMe app. We can then review and add the relevant curriculum links or any general comments
Do you have a uniform?
There is no requirement for Pre-school children to have a school uniform, however, they are welcome to wear our school sweatshirt, joggers and a plain white polo t-shirt, should you wish. We also have school coats, hats etc. The children have access to the outdoor area, whatever the weather, during the day so please ensure that your child has a warm coat, hat, scarf and gloves in winter and a sunhat and suncream in summer. Pre-school children should wear footwear appropriate to the weather (and that they can get on and off!), all year-round providing wellingtons and full body waterproofs to keep at school.
Uniform can be purchased from www.samscotts.co.uk
Do you offer lunch?
Yes – during term time! Children that choose to join us for lunch will enjoy a hot, healthy, home cooked meal provided by our talented school catering team. Meals provided are nutritious, tasty and loved by all. We often find that children are more willing to try new and exciting foods in school than they would at home, encouraged by friends and staff members.
If your child attends Pre-School year-round, we ask that you please send in a packed lunch during the holidays.
Snacks
Pre-school children must bring a healthy snack and a named water bottle, with fresh water being available throughout the day to top these bottles up. Pre-school children have a snack in the morning and afternoon so require two snacks. Reception have a snack in the morning.
We are a NO NUT school.
We do not offer daily food diaries, but will always make it known to whoever picks your child up if there was a particular dislike to the food offered that lunchtime. Rest assured, no news is good news!
Dietary requirements
We cater for a wide range of dietary requirements, including medical needs. All staff are notified of any food allergies/dietary requirements. Alongside this, photographs of the children and their requirements are displayed in the school kitchen.
Parents of children with allergies to any food product, or who have special dietary requirements, are asked to make this clear on the admission form before their son/daughter starts school. Parents should inform the school at once if their child subsequently develops an intolerance of any food, or alternatively, if this intolerance has now subsided.
Illness and Medicines
In the case of a child being sick or suffering from an illness or suspected illness, please do not bring them into school – young children are susceptible to infections being passed amongst them. Please allow adequate time for a full recovery. Below is guidance from the NHS.
Please call the school office by 8.40am to let us know of your child’s absence, or email office@hunterhall.cumbria.sch.uk as soon as you are aware. If your child is ill once they are in school, we will contact you to advise you of the situation and arrange collection if necessary. It may be necessary for us to call the next person on your emergency contact list if you are unavailable, so please ensure contact details are up to date. Prescribed medicines may only be administered following completion of a medicines form obtained from the main school office. We can only give medicines following the instructions on the prescription.
Accidents
First aid boxes are kept in Pre-school and Reception. In the case of accident, your child will be seen by a First Aider, if necessary, with all EYFS staff being Paediatric first aid trained. Should the situation cause concern, medical help will be sought. In this situation, we will make every effort to contact you first.
In the Early Years, it is our policy to inform you of every injury your child suffers whilst in our care. If your child has had an accident during the school day, however minor, you will be informed of this upon pick up. If your child bumps their head (including the face), this will be mentioned at pick up time unless you are telephoned/ emailed to be told of the incident.
Is there on-site car parking?
Yes. Parents are asked to assist us with maintaining a safe environment. Please park sensibly, in the car park, and do not park your car on the farm lane or directly in front of the school buildings, unless you need to use our disabled parking space, as this may cause severe congestion and is a potential danger to our pupils.
Please ensure that children are not left unattended in the car park; the potential for an accident to happen is too great.
My child has additional needs – can you support us?
Our clear approach to identifying and responding to SEND children is found in our SEND policy. We focus on the regular monitoring and review of children’s progress and react accordingly. When we identify a child who is behind the expected levels, we gather information and initiate our cycle of assessment/planning/doing/reviewing. Parents are informed whenever the school provides additional support for children. Visit our Policies page for more information.
What happens if I have an emergency?
What happens if my child is sick and cannot attend their session?
All children are unable to attend a session due to illness at some point – we will try our best to accommodate them on another day providing there are spaces available.
Does attending pre-school guarantee my child a school place?
We value your loyalty to our pre-school and therefore parents choosing Hunter Hall pre-school will be offered places in Main school ahead of those choosing other providers. Applications will be on a first come first served basis so please do let us know if you’re considering Hunter Hall so we can add you to our waiting list.
Can my child attend Pre-School and move onto another primary school?
