At Marsh Gibbon Preschool, we have a high level of qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable staff. The Leader of the setting holds a BA Honours Degree in Early Years. The setting also has a full-time level 3 SENDCO. 

All of our staff are very passionate about children, their development and learning, and they take pride in their work. Our staff are kind practitioners and take a very gentle approach towards all children, working on the basis of promoting positive behaviour rather than focusing on negative behaviour. Children seem to thrive in this environment. We use many positive rewards such as the preschool reward chart, stamps and stickers (you will find your child covered in stickers at the end of a preschool day).

We follow Ofsted’s requirement to have enhanced DBS criminal reference checks (the highest level of checks currently available) on all of our staff. All employees undergo a vigorous interview process to ensure we are employing the highest quality of practitioners. During this process, a minimum of two references is required from their previous employers.

In order for us to support your child's development in the best possible way, we employ people with different educational backgrounds. They all attend regular training courses, which enable them to bring new ideas and updated practices to the setting.

All staff hold a Paediatric First Aid qualification and have attended all relevant safeguarding training. We regularly hold in-house training to make sure we are always up to date and refreshed.

Safeguarding training is updated every 2 years. 

We are currently registered for Children aged from 2 years to 4 yrs, 11 month. We are working to ratio of 

2 year olds = 1:4

3 years old plus = 1:8

(updated september 2023)

Every child at the preschool has a member of staff with whom they will spend special time and build a special bond. This is their Key Person. The key Person knows your child really well and will ensure your child feels cared for, safe, and secure.

The key Person will help with settling in to preschool and respond sensitively to your child’s needs. They will usually attend to your child’s nappy changes or toileting, development and learning and their need for cuddles or someone to talk to.

They will help your child build relationships with other staff and children in the preschool. They will usually be the person to give feedback to you on how your child’s day at preschool has been. We also operate a 'parent helper' system where you will be invited in once a term to help at the preschool, and during that time you will spend some one-on-one time with your child's Key Worker to discuss their time at preschool and their achievements, development and learning and whether you have any concerns. A key Person is also there for the family, and we like you to build a close relationship.

The key person will also monitor your child’s progress and carry out regular observations to ensure your child’s progress is appropriate for their age and to help plan for your child based on their interests and direction of learning.