Pre-School
Telephone number
07596166259
All Saints’ Blackwell Pre-school is situated in All Saints’ Millennium Centre on Ravensdale road, Darlington, DL3 8DT. We accept children from 2 years old until they go to school. We have a waiting list and it is advisable to contact the group as soon as possible, to put your child’s name down.
The pre-school is open from 9.15am to 12.15 - Monday to Friday during term time only.
The Main hall, Garden rooms and outdoor play areas are used in a variety of combinations. The children take part in free flow play indoors and out, throughout the session and all year round. We provide waterproof clothing for the children to wear, to enable this to happen.
Every member of staff holds a child care qualification and a paediatric first aid certificate. The group’s manager is Mrs Carole Ferguson who has an ‘Early years foundation degree’ (level 5) and the Co-manager is Mrs Amanda Summers trained to a childcare qualification of level 4.
Once your child reaches the term after their 3rd birthday they will be eligible for the Education grant enabling each child to receive 5 free 3 hour sessions per week.
The pre-school is registered with OFSTED and cares for 26each session, 26 in the main hall and 18 in the garden rooms. All pre-school staff are C.R.B. checked. They are committed to providing quality care for each individual child in our setting.
The adult to child ratio for the group is at least the recommended level set by OFSTED for private/voluntary providers, 1:4 for 2-3 year olds and 1:8 for 3-5 year olds.
The pre-schools daily routine is divided up so the children have time for free flow play, indoors and out, a healthy snack, a quiet time and group activities.
The pre-school follows the guidance of the New Early Years Foundation Stage. Our staff together with the pre-schools richenvironment, play a key role in supporting and extending children's development and learning. Our children learn through play by taking part in a wide range of stimulating activities ensuring that they develop in all key areas-
Personal, social and emotional development
Communication, language and literacy
Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Physical development
Creative development
Our aim is for children to develop to their full potential, at their own pace, whilst of course, having fun.
Once a month, each third Friday, the pre-school joins with the parent and toddler group for a short, child appropriate service. This Play and Praise service, is held in the church where children enjoy singing and participating in a story and prayers. All parents and carers are invited to join the children and staff in this service, everyone is very welcome.
We operate an open door policy where parents are very welcome at any time into the setting. We would like to feel that both you and your child have a sense of belonging and that there is always time to discuss your child’s progress with the pre-school staff.
We operate a healthy eating policy and each morning the children are encouraged to eat fresh fruit and have a drink of milk or water. During the session there is fresh drinking water available at all times. We would like to ask you to contribute by occasionally bringing in a piece of fruit for us to share. This promotes healthy eating and helps your child to learn about giving and sharing with others.
Please feel free to call into the pre-school at any time to discuss any issue regarding your child, whether it is placing your child’s name on the waiting list, enquiring when your child will be able to start, changing days your child attends the pre-school or any general information relating to the group. The staff will always welcome you and your child.
Contact Information
Telephone Number: 01325 469891
All Saints and Salutation Church
Ravensdale Road
Blackwell
Darlington, DL3 8DT
How to Find us
From the town centre: Progress along Coniscliffe Road, turn left into Hartford Road and then right into Ravensdale Road. We are on the left (approx 300 yards).