Empowering Children to Reach Their Full Potential
Puffins Preschool is a non-profit making community preschool that has been serving the local community for over three decades. Founded in 1986, we have grown from a small group of parents and carers to a thriving organisation with a strong commitment to providing high-quality care and learning environments for young children.
Our preschool is run by a dedicated committee, comprising parents, carers, grandparents, and a team of experienced staff, who work together to ensure that every child receives the best possible start in life. We have a strong emphasis on teamwork, parental involvement, and providing a cohesive partnership between our managers, staff, parents, and carers. This approach has enabled us to build a reputation for excellence in early years education, and we are proud to have been rated as "Outstanding" by Ofsted.
Our Aims and Values
At Puffins Preschool, we are committed to providing a warm and welcoming environment that is tailored to the needs of every child. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we strive to create a setting that is inclusive, stimulating, and fun. We place great emphasis on building strong relationships with our children, parents, and carers, and we work closely with other local schools and community organisations to ensure that our provision is responsive to the needs of our young people.
We offer a range of services and facilities to support the needs of our children, including a warm and welcoming playground, a well-stocked library, and a programme of activities and events that are designed to foster social, emotional, and cognitive development. We also have a dedicated team of staff who are trained and experienced in providing high-quality care and education to young children.
Our Services
At Puffins Preschool, we offer a range of services and activities that are designed to support the needs of our children. These include:
- A range of play-based activities and experiences that are designed to stimulate learning and development
- A programme of outdoor and indoor activities that are designed to promote physical and mental well-being
- A range of special events and activities that are designed to foster social, emotional, and cognitive development
- A team of experienced staff who are trained and experienced in providing high-quality care and education to young children
- A warm and welcoming environment that is tailored to the needs of every child
Our Policies
At Puffins Preschool, we have a range of policies that are designed to support the needs of our children, parents, and carers. These include:
- A policy on admissions and fees, which outlines our procedures for accepting new children and the fees that we charge
- A policy on health and safety, which outlines our procedures for ensuring the health and safety of our children and staff
- A policy on equality and diversity, which outlines our commitment to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and staff
- A policy on special needs and inclusion, which outlines our procedures for supporting children with special needs or requirements
Testimonials
At Puffins Preschool, we are proud of the many wonderful things that our children and parents have said about us. Here are a few examples:
- "Staff accurately monitor and plan children's learning in all areas. As a result, children make good progress in relation to their starting points. Children develop good independence and self-confidence. This helps promote their future learning and school readiness effectively." - Ofsted
- "Both of my children loved their time at Puffins, especially all the opportunities for messy play, and staying to eat lunch with their friends. It has been a fantastic preparation for school." - Parent
- "Children who have attended Puffins have an excellent attitude to learning, school and each other. It is clear that Puffins places a heavy emphasis on independence, confidence and ability to communicate well with a range of people." - Pokesdown Primary School
Our Team
At Puffins Preschool, we have a dedicated team of staff who are experienced and trained in providing high-quality care and education to young children. Our team includes:
- Mrs Meadows, Manager: Level 3, Designated, Safeguarding Lead, SENDCo, Health & Safety Officer, Behaviour Management, First Aider
- Miss Gaukrodger, Deputy Manager: Level 3, Designated Safeguarding Deputy, SENDCo, Health & Safety Officer, Behaviour Management, Fire Officer, First Aider
- Miss Cripps, Room Supervisor/Practitioner: Level 3, First Aider
- Mr Collins, Room Supervisor/Practitioner: Level 3, Deputy SENDCo, Designated Safeguarding Deputy, First Aider
- Mrs Jewell, Practitioner: Level 2, First Aider
- Miss Shore, Practitioner: Level 3, First Aider
Overall Impression
The reviewers are unanimous in their praise for Puffins Preschool, describing it as a "true hidden gem" and an "absolute blessing". The preschool is commended for its nurturing and loving environment, which provides a sense of security and happiness for the children.
Staff and Teaching
The teachers at Puffins Preschool are consistently praised for being "wonderful", "lovely", and "well-organised". They are credited with creating a sense of family and community, which helps the children feel comfortable and engaged.
Personalised Care
The reviewers appreciate the preschool's ability to accommodate individual needs and requirements. The staff are flexible and willing to work around dairy intolerances, erratic work schedules, and other unique circumstances.
Facilities and Atmosphere
Puffins Preschool is described as having a "home from home" setting, which provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the children. The small size of the preschool is seen as an advantage, allowing for a more personalized and intimate learning environment.
