Clackclose Pre-school

Affordable & Flexible Childcare

Clackclose Pre-school provides inclusive, affordable, and flexible childcare services for children aged two to four years. Our mission is to create a nurturing and enriching environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. We offer a warm, friendly welcome to all children and their parents/carers. We promote learning and development in a relaxed, informal and supportive atmosphere. If you would like to come along and see what we do, please get in touch to arrange a visit.

About Us

Our History

Clackclose Pre-School was founded in 1971, originally as a playgroup based in a mobile on Paradise Road. We moved to the upper site of Clackclose Primary School and changed our name to Clackclose Pre-School in 1995. The classroom interior was completely re-painted in Summer 2003 and the sensory garden established in 2007. In 2011 we moved to our new classroom within the Downham Market Children's Centre. In September 2015 the Pre-School expanded into a second classroom. Clackclose Pre-School is a registered charity.

Our Staff

Jayne Buchan - Pre-School Manager/Room Leader/Admin

Sara Lewis-Bragg - Deputy Manager/Room Leader/Senco

Sam Nash - Pre-School Practitioner (3-4 year room)

Danielle Gardner - Pre-School Practitioner (3-4 year room)

Hayley Aldrich - Pre-School Practitioner (3-4 year room)

Emma Cocksedge - Pre-School Practitioner (2 year room)

Poppy Buchan - Pre-School Practitioner (2 year room)

Demelzer (Mel) Haycock - Pre-School Practitioner (2 year room)

Jayne, Sara, Sam, Emma, Mel, Danielle, Poppy and Hayley all have recognised early years and first-aid qualifications. They work as a team and are jointly responsible for the daily care and safety of all the children, although each child is designated a Key Person. Our teachers are highly qualified and experienced professionals who are passionate about working with children. They undergo regular training to keep up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and practices, and are dedicated to providing the best possible care and education for each child.

Our Committee

Mandy Seals - Chair

Rachel Whitehead - Treasurer

Joanne Brown - Secretary

The operation of the Pre-School is overseen by an elected committee. If there is no committee the Pre-School cannot open. It has to have a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, as well as other members. The committee is made up of parents and interested adults. They are elected in the autumn term by parents. Being a member of the committee is a really important job: it gives you an insight into the running of the Pre-School as well as an opportunity to meet other parents in social/fund raising activities. The committee meets in the evenings at least once a term and helps out at other events throughout the year. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please ask for details.

More About us

Equal Opportunities

Clackclose Pre-School aims to offer equal opportunities to all children, staff and volunteers. We believe that no child, individual, or family should be excluded from Pre-School activities on the grounds of age, gender, sexuality, class, family status, means, disability, ethnic origin, culture, religion or belief. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in or volunteer to help with our Pre-School have an equal chance to do so.

Safeguarding/ Prevent

Clackclose Preschool is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all practitioners, parents and carers to share this commitment. It is also our aim to safeguard people who are vulnerable to radicalisation and extremism. For more information please speak to a Practitioner, view the parents notice board or ask to see a copy of the Safeguarding Policy.

Funding / Fee Payment

We are able to accept children under the 2 year and 3-4 year Early Education funding schemes. We also offer a limited number of 30 hour funded spaces.

Tax Free Childcare

We are able to accept payment via the Government Tax Free Childcare scheme.

Employer Electronic Vouchers

The Pre-School is able to accept payment via Edenred, Sodexo, Caboodle, BusyBees and Computer Share.

Other Ways to Pay

Other ways to pay are cash or bank transfer.

Curriculum

Welcome to Clackclose Pre-school Child Care

At Clackclose Pre-school Child Care, we believe that learning should be fun! Our play-based approach to early childhood education promotes creativity, curiosity, and exploration. We provide a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow.

Our Programs

We offer a variety of programs to meet your child's needs, including full-time and part-time care, preschool, and after-school programs. Our experienced teachers provide individual attention and support to each child, helping them to reach their full potential.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. We incorporate a variety of activities such as art, music, science, math, and outdoor play to engage and challenge children of all ages.

Our Facilities

Our state-of-the-art facilities are designed to provide a comfortable and stimulating atmosphere for children of all ages. We have age-appropriate toys, books, and equipment, as well as outdoor play areas and a nutritious meal program.

Our Staff

Our dedicated and caring staff are passionate about early childhood education and have the experience and qualifications to provide high-quality care. We maintain low teacher-to-child ratios to ensure individual attention and support.

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about our programs and services. Contact us today to schedule a tour or to learn more about how we can support your child's early learning journey.

OFSTED

Clackclose Pre-School received a "Good" rating from Ofsted in January 2022. Her are some of the comments Ofsted made in their report.

"Children enjoy their time in this friendly pre-school. Children are happy and engage confidently with staff, who know them well."

"Children's behaviour is good because staff act as good role models and recognise children's achievements. Children are spoken to in a calm manner and they are praised often."

"Children increase their confidence as they explore the environment, both inside and outside. They make choices for themselves."

Children are well engaged throughout their time in the pre-school, as staff plan and provide activities that interest them."

"Children learn to recognise numbers, count and calculate. Staff skilfully weave in mathematical concepts."

"Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported."

"Children have good opportunities to be physical as they run, climb and peddle tricycles in the well resourced gardens."

"Children eat nutritious snacks and learn the importance of oral health."

"Staff support children's speech and language development effectively. They read stories and introduce new ideas and vocabulary. Staff pose questions to help children to think and give them the opportunity to respond, in their own time."

"Parents are positive about the pre-school. They feel well informed about their children's progress."

"All staff are well supported by the management team."

Our report

A copy of our most recent report is on the parent's noticeboard just inside the Pre-School entrance. The report is also available to read on the Ofsted website, reports.ofsted.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at office@clackclosepreschool.co.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Will my child have anything to eat at pre-school?

During the session the children are offered a healthy snack. This is usually a drink of water or milk, a piece of fresh fruit/vegetable and a type of carbohydrate such as toast or crackers. We may also have cereal, yoghurts or noodles. We ask parents to contribute £0.35p per day towards the cost of the snack. We use snack time to encourage independence, good manners and speaking/listening skills, and we occasionally have food from other countries/cultures to try. If your child has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please let us know. If your child attends a full day session, you must provide a packed lunch.

My child has been sick. When can I send him/her back to Pre-School?

If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea, please keep them away for at least 72 hours after the last attack. Please do not send your child back to Pre-School too soon after an illness, as they are often not able to cope with the long sessions. Please inform us if your child has a contagious disease so other parents can be alerted. Do not send your child to pre-school if they have been given Calpol or any other suspension in the last 24 hours.

Will my child go on any visits with Pre-School?

We regularly take groups of children into the local area and sometimes have visitors into school. Your will be told of these events as and when they happen.

Can my child stay at Pre-School until he/she starts Primary School?

Yes. Children can start with us as young as 2 years and can stay with us right up until they join Reception.

Contact Us

Are you ready to get started?

If you have questions about the opportunities available in our programs, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Clackclose Pre-school

Snape Lane, off Paradise Road, Downham Market, PE38 9JE, United Kingdom

01366 385067

Hours

Open today

08:00 – 16:00

Feedback

Thank you for being the most wonderful caring ladies that made me feel so at ease when my son was so hard to separate.

Thank you for all that you have done and thank you for taking time to get to know my son. I was nervous about leaving him as I know he is a bit different and can also be a pickle but he has loved every minute. It has been a great start to his exciting journey.

Thank you for all your help, support, guidance and love over the last 9 years! I cannot believe my children's pre-school journey has come to an end but I am so grateful you have all been a part of it. You are all amazing and I sincerely thank you all for everything you have done in shaping my children's lives and helping them grow into the beautiful children they are. We will miss you!

Thank you all so much for all you have done with my son. He was a shy, nervous lockdown baby, and look at him now! Thanks to you, he is ready for big school.

Thank you for looking after my daughter and believing in her. I know she has her moments but she has loved every minute of being at the pre-school. Thank you for helping her grow and for not giving up on her. You have gone over and beyond for her and I will be forever grateful. I wish she could stay with you forever.

Thank you so much for all your work, care and dedication with both of my boys. Thank you for your patience with me too. We will miss all of the staff in the Rainbow and Star room.

My daughter has learnt so much during her time at the pre-school and we are so proud. Honestly we could not have asked for a better group of ladies to care for her, teach her and deal with her sassiness.

Thank you for everything you have done for my son. He has enjoyed playing and learning with you. Also for helping his confidence to grow and making new friends. He could not have done it without you all.

My son has been at this nursery for over a year he absolutely loves it and all the nursery staff are amazing I cannot thank them enough for what they do, not just for my son but all the children there. I never have any concerns over his well being or safety.

The girls do a brilliant job teaching the kids and making sure they have lots of fun, always going that extra mile to ensure each child gets the most out of their time at nursery.

I would recommend Clackclose pre-school to anybody without any hesitation.

Clackclose Pre-school