Giggleswick School has opened its own pre-school, Mill House, offering a new choice for parents looking for a happy ‘home from home’ environment with a play-based learning experience and plenty of outdoor fun and adventure for two to four-year-olds. 

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Early years specialist Carl Shuttleworth, who is leading the pre-school, supported by early years practitioners and specialist teachers from Giggleswick Junior School, believes what Mill House offers is unique in the local area.

 

He said: “Mill House has been beautifully renovated and is now purpose-designed for our youngest learners with access to a large range of outdoor as well as indoor areas, which means our teaching and learning can be dynamic and shaped to individual children. Our wonderful countryside setting means there’s always time and space for welly walks, pond dipping, story circles and den building. We are also really lucky to have access to a whole range of amazing school facilities including the swimming pool, chapel, observatory, sports hall  and dining hall. 

 

“We have created a happy home from home atmosphere where children feel comfortable, confident and ready to engage with learning. Our curriculum is challenging, stimulating and delivered in a safe and secure environment – the perfect start to their learning.

 

“For those children who are ready to learn with daily phonics or maths teaching, we give them a personalised curriculum as a first step into education. We work closely with parents so we know what they need pastorally and can give them a completely tailored and holistic experience.”

 

Mill House has specialist teachers for swimming, ballet, computing, PE, French, performing arts and daily enhanced Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, led by Mr Shuttleworth.

 

He said: “We will be working closely with parents over the coming year to further enhance what we can offer, with potential for classes such as baby massage and yoga, toddler rhyme time groups as well as offering parent classes. We aim to be the number one choice for parents in the local area. This is only the beginning. I am thrilled to be a part of the process and to lead in the journey ahead.”

 

Mill House Pre-school is based in its own building next to Giggleswick Junior School within the 200-acre school campus. Over the last three months an extensive refurbishment has created a unique development of indoor and outdoor learning spaces, purpose-built for two, three and four-year-olds. It boasts three open plan teaching rooms, a sensory/sleep room and a forest school. 

 

Young families have access to a flexible range of session options with wrap-around care available, starting from 7.30am with an ‘Early Risers’ breakfast club and an extended afternoon package including tea allowing for pick-ups through until 6pm for busy working families. Parents can also use their government-provided free childcare entitlement, which includes 15 hours for two-year-olds and up to 30 hours for three and four-year-olds.

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For more information on Mill House Pre-school please see 

www.giggleswick.org.uk/pre-school or phone 01729 893000

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