Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Early Years Education in Runcorn
Established in 1967, Vicarage Lodge Preschool has been a cornerstone of early years education in Runcorn for over five decades. Our mission focuses on nurturing children's potential through play-based learning within a safe, stimulating environment. We maintain a high adult-to-child ratio, ensuring individualised attention through our key person system. Our team of qualified professionals, including Early Years Educators and Safeguarding Officers, delivers a curriculum aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. We prioritise parental partnership, offering regular progress updates and maintaining open communication channels. The preschool operates from a purpose-built facility featuring extensive indoor and outdoor play areas. Our commitment to quality was reaffirmed in the 2016 Ofsted report, which highlighted our staff's warmth and dedication.As a registered charity (No: 702025), we reinvest resources into continuous improvements, evidenced by recent roof renovations funded through community efforts and local grants. We specialise in preparing children for school transition through structured learning and social development activities. Our flexible session structure accommodates morning, lunch club, and afternoon attendance during term time. Through weekly staff meetings and curriculum planning, we ensure our educational approach remains current and effective. This combination of experience, qualified staff, and community focus establishes us as a trusted choice for early years education in Cheshire.
Services
Early Years Education
Playgroup Sessions
Key Person Support
Parent Partnerships
Outdoor Play Activities
Details
- Year established: 1967
Highlights and features
- Experienced team with NVQ Level 3 qualified educators
- Established 1967 with continuous service to local families
- Ofsted-registered with positive inspection history
- Key person system for individual child development tracking
- Community-funded facility improvements and modern resources
Associations and certifications
- Charity Commission
What people say
Welcoming and friendly environment
Lots of support and praise
Excellent staff-child relationships
Positive learning atmosphere
Effective key person system
Services
Early Years Education
Structured educational programmes following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Focus on personal, social and emotional development through play-based learning. Qualified staff deliver curriculum elements including literacy, mathematics and creative expression in a stimulating environment.
Playgroup Sessions
Flexible term-time sessions operating mornings (9:00-12:00), lunch club (12:00-12:45) and afternoons (12:45-15:45). Combines structured activities with free play in indoor and outdoor spaces. Designed to develop physical coordination and social interaction skills.
Key Person Support
Dedicated key worker system for each child's transition and development. Regular progress assessments and parent consultations. Personalised learning profiles updated termly with observational assessments and developmental milestones tracking.
Parent Partnerships
Active collaboration with families through twice-yearly parent evenings and ongoing communication. Parents receive regular updates on child development and learning progress. Open-door policy for immediate concerns or queries about child's care.
Outdoor Play Activities
Extensive outdoor play area with age-appropriate equipment and natural spaces. Activities promoting physical development and environmental awareness. Safe, supervised environment for exploring movement and sensory experiences in fresh air.
People
Kelly McShane
Manager
Early Years Professional with safeguarding responsibilities since 2023. Holds First Aid certification and leads staff training initiatives. Oversees daily operations and curriculum implementation.
Andrea Lowe
Deputy Manager
NVQ Level 3 qualified educator with over a decade of experience. Deputy Safeguarding Officer since 2012. Specialises in child development assessments and staff mentoring.
Erin Wallace
SENCO
Specialist in special educational needs with Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification. Coordinates additional support requirements and implements inclusive learning strategies since 2016.
Debbie Hayes
Early Years Practitioner
Experienced practitioner with BTEC National Diploma in Early Years. Provides classroom support since 2010. Focuses on creative learning activities and child engagement.
Avril Abbott
Early Years Practitioner
Long-serving team member with NVQ Level 3 qualification. Brings extensive experience in childcare and education since 2000. Specialises in early literacy development and parent communication.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children aged 2 to 5 years preparing for school transition.
How does the key person system work?
Each child is assigned a dedicated key worker who monitors their development, maintains learning profiles, and provides regular parent updates.
Are staff qualified?
All staff hold NVQ Level 3 qualifications in childcare with First Aid training. Management team includes Early Years Professionals.
How do you involve parents?
We maintain open communication through twice-yearly parent evenings, daily updates, and immediate access to discuss any concerns.
What curriculum do you follow?
Our curriculum aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, covering seven key learning areas through play-based activities.
Is the preschool registered with Ofsted?
Yes, we are Ofsted-registered and maintain regular inspections, with our most recent report confirming high standards of care and education.
