We are very proud of our Pre-School. It is long established and very popular. Our waiting list is kept on a first come/first served basis, so we would encourage parents to register their child at the earliest opportunity. We accept children on our waiting list from birth!
Children start afternoon Pre-School the September following their 2nd birthday. Children spend one year in our afternoon sessions (12.15 - 3.15pm) and return the following September to attend our morning sessions (8.45 - 11.45am) or longer-day sessions (8.45am - 3.15pm).
It is our intention therefore that children spend a total of two years at our Pre-School.
Children who were 2 years old by the 31st August attend our afternoon sessions 12.15pm – 3.15pm.
Children who were 3 years old by the 31st August attend our morning sessions 8.45am – 11.45am, with an option to stay for Lunch Club until 12.15pm, or for the long-day session until 3.15pm.
The long-day sessions are for the older year group. These run from 8.45am - 3.15pm. Places are popular and priority for these sessions are given to children who have attended their first year at pre-school in the afternoon sessions. If there are any places still available, these will be offered to children on the waiting list.
We require each child to attend a minimum of two afternoon sessions, but they may attend three, four or five sessions if you wish and if places are available.
We require each child in the older year group to attend a minimum of four morning sessions. Children may attend up to five sessions if you wish. Older children may apply to attend all day Monday to Friday (ten sessions) from 8.45am - 3.15pm (term time only). Priority for these places is given to children who have attended afternoon pre-school the previous year
- Please apply now for children born between 1/09/2020 and 31/08/2021. We have two places still available in our morning sessions.
- Please apply now if your child was born between 1/9/2021 and 31/8/2022 (afternoon sessions).
- Our waiting list for September 2025 is open for children born between 1/9/2022 and 31/8/2023 (afternoon sessions).
- Our waiting list for September 2026 is open for children born between 1/9/2023 and 31/8/2024 (afternoon sessions).
If you would like to register your child on our waiting list, please complete an Application Form and forward this, together with a deposit of £50.00. The deposit can be paid by bank transfer, using your child's name and 'deposit' as the reference. Our bank details are CAF Bank, sort code 40-52-40, account number 00024891, St Martin's Pre-School CIO. Alternatively the deposit can be paid by cheque or cash.
If your child is offered a place at our Pre-School, the deposit will be refunded to you when your child becomes eligible for a fully-funded place. If we are unable to offer your child a place at our Pre-School by the beginning of the summer term of their school entry year, then the deposit will be refunded to you. If your child is offered a place at our Pre-School and you choose not to accept it, the deposit will not be refunded.
On acceptance of a formal offer of a place at the Pre-School, parents/carers are asked to pay a registration fee of £100.00, which is refunded from the first half term’s fees. If parents/carers accept the offer of a place which they subsequently decline, the £100.00 will not be refundable.
Settling In
We want your child to feel happy and safe with us.
In the summer term, prior to your child starting Pre-School in September, you and your child will be invited to attend a play session. You will be introduced to your child’s key person and your child will have an opportunity to play and get used to the Pre-School environment.
At the start of the autumn term, children join our afternoon sessions at intervals over the first four weeks.
Your child’s key person, together with our Manager, will work in partnership with you to ensure that your child settles well at Pre-School. Parents are invited to stay with their child until they feel he or she is ready to be left in our care.
Schools
Although we are based on St Martin’s School site, we have excellent relationships with all the local schools. There is no automatic transfer to St Martin’s Infant School. Parents should obtain the Surrey Admissions Handbook and brochures from any schools in which they are interested. These will explain the relevant admissions procedure.
All children transferring from St Martin's Pre-School to another nursery or school setting, will receive a transition summary before their last day with us.
Notice of Withdrawal
If you wish to withdraw your child from the Pre-School, then we ask that six weeks' notice is given in writing to our Office Manager by the last day of the half term, preceding the half term in which the child will leave. If sufficient notice is not given, then a full half term's fees must be paid in lieu of notice.