What do you do if it rains?
Play!! That's why it's paramount to have the right kit! Remaining warm and dry is the most important element to create happiness and creative play in all weathers. Our trees offer some shelter and we also have 'The Little Grub House' as shelter in the woodland.Do we go out in all types of weather?
Do you go out in all weathers?
Yes! It’s only high winds with persistent rain that may stop us from going to the Woodland site. If this is the case, we will visit other open spaces if it is safe to do so.
Do I need to buy specific clothing/footwear?
Yes. Because of the amount of time we aim to spend in the outdoor environment, it is extremely important that your child is kitted out daily with the recommended clothing and footwear. Please see the kit guide for more information. This is in the best interest of the children to keep them comfortable throughout the day.
Do all children have a rest/sleep?
We encourage all our children to take time in their day to stop and be still. We dedicate 15-20 minutes before lunch to support the group to relax and be still. We begin this time with a few yoga moves, deep breathing, before children relax on their own sheepskin rug whilst we read a story allowing children to drift into a daydream (or nap).
When can my child start at Little Grubs Kindergarten?
Many children join us from the age of 2 years old. We have a limited number of 2 year-old places. Please get in touch to discuss. Children do not have to start at the start of a term, families can choose a start date that suits their needs, providing we have space.
What is the adult: child ratio?
We always follow the legal requirements for the ratio of adults to children, however, we feel that to provide the best quality early education our adult to child ratios are higher than the government recommendations.
When are you open?
We open for 38 weeks of the year, closely following Shropshire Local Authority’s term date. We close for school holidays and some Staff Education Days in the year.
What is the minimum attendance?
Our programme requires daily attendance. The minimum attendance is 2 days. This enables continuity of care and education for the children. We have a comprehensive settling-in programme to ensure you and your child settle well with us at the kindergarten.
Can my child attend another early years setting alongside Little Grubs?
In our experience, children do not settle as well when attending 2 settings, as each setting will have it’s own unique routines and rhythms. Therefore, sharing a setting needs very careful consideration and we would advise against sending your child to 2 settings. Please do talk to us about why we have made this decision.
How will you support my child to settle in?
We know what a huge step it is for both the child and parent/carer and we will support you and your child as best we can as you join Little Grubs. Please ask to see our settling in guidance for further information on settling in and your child's Key Person will be in touch to make the process as smooth as possible. We can also offer a home visit if you feel your child would benefit from meeting their Key Person in the family home. The first settling in session is free.
Are meals included and are dietary needs catered for?
Yes. Our philosophy, is that children participate in mealtimes by laying the table, serving themselves and where possible preparing parts of the meal (vegetables, or baking their dessert). We can only offer this as part of our programme if we all eat the same meal at the same time. Adaptations of the meal to cater for dietary needs is possible and we regularly cater for vegetarian, dairy and gluten free diets.
Why do you have a later lunch?
Our main meal is served at 1.15pm to enable us to maximise our time outside. We take a substantial snack with us consisting of a fruit and homemade bread and butter and we often enjoy seasonal treats and campfire food too!
What is risky play, and why?
We support, supervise and mentor children to take managed risks in their play and exploration. We encourage’ risky’ or ‘adventurous’ play when the benefits of the activity outweigh the risks. We believe it is important to assess the risks of an activity, such as climbing, with the child to support and guide decisions on how to manage the challenge. The rewards and benefits of risky play include; personal achievement and confidence, understanding one’s own limits, a feeling of elation and exhilaration, improved motor and cognitive development, forms proactive and positive attitudes, increased creative thinking, to mention just a few.
How do I apply for a place?
Please contact us for more information. We encourage all interested families to visit our setting, in order to see us in action, meet the team and discuss your individual requirements.
Do you have a waiting list?
No, we don’t hold a waiting list, but we do keep a record of families expressing an interest in a place at Little Grubs. Because we have a limited number of places each term, we follow our admissions policy where places are allocated based on carefully considered criteria to make the process both fair to families and sustainable for the business. If you have expressed an interest in a place, we will get in touch with you when a place becomes available.