Mission Statement
At Downey House Pre-Prep we aim to provide high quality Pre-Prep care and education in a safe and stimulating learning environment.
The Pre-Prep is situated in the grounds of Downey House which is a non-denominational and coeducational Preparatory Department on the Methodist College Belfast campus, providing a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
In our Pre-Prep the children learn through play and alongside sensitive interactions with experienced staff the holistic development of the child is supported and promoted across the six areas of the PrePrep curriculum.
The small class size means that each child receives quality time with experienced staff who have a good understanding of each individual child’s needs which helps ensure that every child reaches their full potential.
By the end of the Pre-Prep year the aim is to have all the children ready for a smooth transition into P1 with a great head start and positive attitude towards their future education.
Child Led Learning
“Tell me and I will forget, Teach me and I may remember, Involve me and I will learn.”
Benjamin Franklin
Children learn through experiences, experimenting, trial and error. Making mistakes is an opportunity to learn, develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Successes promote confidence and develop understanding. The Pre-Prep is a carefully planned learning environment where the children are encouraged to explore and discover. We offer a lot of autonomy and opportunities to extend or adapt the play activities to keep the children interested and engaged. Social skills such as cooperation and negotiation are encouraged. The children’s interests are valued and incorporated into planning the activities.
Themes such as:
All About Me
Autumn
Christmas
Transport
People who Help Us
Animals
Space
Each month we focus on a colour. The play activities involve many uses of that colour for the month, for example in art, water play and playdough.
We learn about the changing seasons throughout the year through a wide range of activities. We will go on a seasonal walk and the children are encouraged to observe signs of the changing seasons in nature, weather, and animal behaviour.
A Typical Pre-Prep Day
Children feel more secure and relaxed if they know what to expect. We stick to the daily routine as much as possible and prepare the children in advance for any changes. The daily routine is as follows:
8:30am – 8:40am
8:40am-9:00am
9:00am -9:45am
9:45am-10:15am
10:15am-11:00am
11:00am – 11:45am
11:45am-12:15pm 12:15pm-12:55pm
1pm
Activities
Parents can drop off at the main entrance anytime during welcome week.
Welcome and circle time
Structured Play and Focused Learning
Break Time
Outdoor Play
Focused Learning through stories and language development
Lunch Time – School Dinners/ Packed Lunch
Outdoor Play
Home Time
Daily, the children have free access to:
• Art resources (Adult led and free choice art activities)
• Writing materials (selection of pens, crayons, pencils, chalks, whiteboard markers etc.) with mixed ability worksheets
• Sand tray (sand, lentils, leaves, soil etc. with a selection of resources)
• Natural materials (leaves, seeds, twigs)
• Story corner (soft seating with a selection of books)
• Playdough (with a selection of tools)
• Small world (dolls house, farm, dinosaurs, jungle animals etc. for imaginative play)
• Selection of games and jigsaw puzzles
• Construction (Duplo, building blocks, train set etc.)
• Role play area (home corner, shop, hospital etc. with a selection of dressing up)
• Outdoor play (large and small playground with selection of equipment and resources such as bikes, scooters, space hoppers, climbing frames, creative movement equipment, spades, and wheelbarrows)
4 METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST
Carpet Time
The children spend quiet time each day on the corner carpet. The activities include:
• Stories and singing
• Topic discussion
• Circle time (discuss thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and the impact that has on others)
Quiet activities are in keeping with the themes. Children also learn skills such as sitting appropriately, waiting patiently, listening and many of the activities are confidence building as well as promoting language development.
Specialist Classes
Children attend classes with our specialist performing arts teacher, Mrs Allen (music, dance, and drama). The classes are lots of fun, have therapeutic value as well as developing confidence and many other transferrable skills. The children also have P.E., with Mrs Gray where they learn physical skills as well as how to follow the rules of game.
Pre-prep pupils will take part in the Christmas show alongside the infant school. They also take part in sports day in the summer term to display the skills they have been learning in their specialist classes. Parents can observe the progression throughout the year.
Outdoor Play
We recognise the importance of outdoor play. It has benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. We have access to two outdoor play areas where there are a range of play resources for climbing, gardening, sports, movement and a wide range of bicycles and scooters. We also have a range of materials to inspire imaginative play such as a mud kitchen, sandpit, and water play. Under close supervision, the children are encouraged to manage risk, problem solve and work together. Children also have daily access to the grounds where they can explore the natural environment and observe the seasonal changes as well as observing wildlife.
Behaviour Management
Downey House Pre-Prep takes a positive approach to behaviour management and aims to provide a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere where the children are happy and kept safe.
Praise
Staff praise desirable behaviour to reinforce it and promote the children’s self-esteem. This also encourages others to behave in a similar way
Clear instructions
Staff try, where possible, to tell the children clearly what they want them to do instead of what they do not want them to do. The classroom rules are:
Be gentle
Be nice
Be helpful
Be honest
Use an indoor voice
Walk indoors
If you do not know, ask a grownup.
Rewards
The focus is on the positive behaviour of the children. Rewards are given at carpet time for good examples of following the classroom rules. This promotes the development of self-esteem of the child and positive behaviour is modelled for the other children.
Circle time
Circle time is used to discuss feelings and behaviour. The rules are explained to the children to develop an understanding of the reasoning as well as the potential consequences and impact on others if the rules are not followed.
Removal from an activity
If a child is displaying inappropriate behaviour they will be given a verbal warning. If they continue that behaviour, they may be removed from that play area. The reason is explained with the focus is on how to behave in a more positive way.
Parents will be informed if any behaviour management strategies have been used with their child.
Individual strategies
At times individual behaviour management strategies may need to be implemented that are relevant to the child and the behaviour. This will be discussed in advance with parents.
Every day is a fresh start
(A full copy of our behaviour management policy is available on request)
Observations and Assessments
The children are observed during their play to identify strengths in their development and areas that require support. These observations and assessments are recorded and are kept in secure files.
Children learn naturally through play but with the sensitive interaction of adults their learning and development is promoted.
Planning takes place to ensure that every child progresses in each area of the Pre-School curriculum.
Sharing Information
Sharing information about your child and their pre-Prep experiences is crucial to ensure continuity of care. We make every effort to ensure parents are well informed.
Parents are asked to download the Schoolcomms App allowing the school to contact you via text or email. Consent and payments are also made via the app as well as bookings for after school clubs. We are working on setting up a google classroom so that pictures can be sent during the day to keep parents updated daily. More information to follow.
We have an open-door policy. All children will be met at the door by a member of staff. This allows time for the exchange of any relevant information. Meetings can be arranged as required. All parents will be invited to discuss how their child has settled into Pre-Prep in October, progress meetings in February and their transition reports in June.
Parents have an opportunity to express their views in our questionnaire at the end of the year.
As part of the annual inspection process, parental views and the views of the children will be sought by the Health and Social Care Trust.
Meals and Snacks
It is important for children to eat regular, healthy snacks for their development. A morning snack is provided. The snack routine is an important learning experience, particularly for personal, social, and emotional development. Children must sit and display good manners at the dining table. Children are given a wide range of foods including; toast, cheese and crackers, waffles, ham, cereal, pancakes, or a biscuit and fruit is available daily.
School dinner is available. Children can bring their own packed lunch which they all eat together at 11:45.
Downey House has a healthy eating policy. Parents are encouraged to send healthy pack lunches. A treat can be included on a Friday, “treat day.” Water and milk are provided at snack time. All allergies and dietary requirements should be reported to the school via the registration forms before your child begins school to ensure adequate provisions are made.
DOWNEY HOUSE IS A NUT AND SESEME FREE SCHOOL
(A full copy of our food and drinks policy is available on request)
After School
Pre-Prep after school runs from 1pm – 3pm and costs £10.
Children can stay from 3pm -5:30pm in our After School service which involves relaxation time, outdoor and indoor playtime with a range of free choice play resources. (£10 per day)
Afternoon snacks are provided.
Transition to P1
In term three, after the Easter break, the focus turns to a smooth transition into P1.
The Pre-Prep children will have opportunities to meet their P1 teacher and visit their P1 classroom. The children will also know the specialist teachers from their pre-school year. The children will know their way around the school and grounds before starting P1.
Children are encouraged to behave responsibly to show they are ready for P1. They must be able to follow the Pre-Prep rules and independence is promoted. They are encouraged to sit like P1 children at carpet time, raise their hand to speak and wait patiently for their turn.
A transition report is completed and shared with the parents. With consent, it is then sent to the P1 teacher. The P1 teacher and Pre-Prep staff liaise to discuss each individual child to provide continuity of care.
General Information
Insurance In accordance with the Employer’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 Downey House Pre-Prep is insured with Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc
Staffing ratio: Pre-Prep 1:8 pre-pre-Prep 1:4
Opening hours: 8:30am-1pm. Parking is available in the Downey House car park.
Pre-Prep After School: 1pm-3pm (optional)
After School Service: 3pm-5:30pm (optional)
Fees
The 2024/25 prices are as follows
Pre-Prep Session (per day) £21
Pre-Prep After School Club 1-3pm £10 per day
After School Service 3-5:30pm (free play) £10 per day
School uniform
All children should wear:
A royal blue sweatshirt with the Downey House Pre-Prep logo.
Yellow polo shirt with the Downey House Pre-Prep logo
Navy tracksuit bottom with Downey House Pre-Prep logo.
Shoes without laces please.
MCB overcoat (optional)
Please also send your child to school with:
Bicycle helmet
Full change of clothes to be kept in a bag on your child’s peg
Wellington Boots
An apron/old t-shirt for painting
Pricelist
Sweatshirts - £15
Polo Shirt - £12
Tracksuit bottoms- £14
Shorts - £12
MCB Winter Overcoat- £40
The Pre-Prep uniform will be available on the school website to order after the 12 th August 2024. Parents will be sent a link to the website once live. www.methody.org/shop
Schoolcomms APP
Schoolcomms is a parent engagement app that will be used for communication and as the method for giving consent and for paying for activities including trips, after school and canteen etc.
To prepare for this, and to stay up to date you will need to download the app, which is free.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DOWNLOAD UNTIL YOUR CHILD STARTS SCHOOL AS YOU WILL NOT BE ON THE SYSTEM AND THERFORE CANNOT GAIN ACCESS
Apple iPhone users: https://schoolgateway.co.uk/iosdownload Android users: https://schoolgateway.co.uk/androiddownload or alternatively please search for School Gateway in your App Store. For identification purposes, the logo for the App is reproduced.
To activate your account please register as a NEW USER and enter the email address and mobile number which the College already holds for you. Please note that as the database used by Schoolcomms is a single Prep database, that there may be some confusion regarding the appearance of logos and banners. Please do not worry about that. Information targeted to you will be sent to include the class (or classes) to which your child / children belongs
For assistance:
If you have any questions or would like more information, please see the School Gateway site here: https://schoolgateway.co.uk
If you have difficultly logging on and need to check the log on information we hold for you, please email dvelasco295@c2kni.net (Downey House).
You can also login to the online version of School Gateway via https://schoolgateway.co.uk if you do not have a smart phone, although we do recommend using the app if possible as it makes it far easier for us to contact parents when we need to.
