Wansdyke Preschool 

Formerly known as Whitchurch Under 5’s

At Wansdyke Preschool, we provide an extraordinary education, value individuality and prepare children with the knowledge, skills and values to be lifelong learners in an ever-changing world. We provide preschool education for children aged 3 and over.

Who we are

• Qualified Early Years practitioners with a warm key-person approach.
• An EYFS curriculum woven through play, stories, music, movement and outdoor learning.
• A strong focus on early communication, oracy and early maths.
• Calming, well-organised indoor and outdoor spaces, including continuous provision and small-group experiences.
• An inclusive approach that adapts provision to individual needs and celebrates every milestone.

We offer innovative learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, develop enquiring minds and maximise every child’s learning potential.

Our curriculum is enriching, meaningful and active, allowing children to become fully immersed in their learning. Through well-planned themed enquiries, children explore a broad range of learning opportunities.

Our Foundation Stage curriculum is based on the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework:

• Communication and language
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Our curriculum is also guided by the four EYFS themes: the unique child, positive relationships, enabling environments, and learning and development.

Children learn through joyful, immersive experiences, with teachers facilitating and challenging them to reach their full learning potential.

Admissions

For our admissions policy please see the policies section.

We have limited places available this year. If you are interested in a preschool place, please complete our enquiry form or email the school office at office@wansdykeschool.org.uk.

• Enquiry form

The admissions policy for the 2027/28 academic year will be published shortly, with admissions opening soon.

Nursery and preschool day

Preschool sessions are available Monday to Friday during term time.

Session times

• Before-school session: 8:30-9:00am
• Morning session: 9:00am-12:00pm
• Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm
• Afternoon session: 1:00-3:00pm
• After-school session: 3:00-3:30pm
• Extended after-school session: 3:00-4:00pm (please note that the latest collection time on Fridays is 3:30pm).

Whole-day options

• Whole day: 9:00am-3:00pm
• Extended day: 8:30am-3:30pm or 4:00pm

Children should attend for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

Our fees

• We accept 15 and 30 hour government-funded childcare entitlements for eligible families.
• Additional or extended hours and the After School Club are chargeable.
• We will confirm your funding code and the current fee schedule during enrolment.

Early years entitlement funding

You may be eligible for free childcare if your child is aged 9 months to 4 years and you live in England.

• Check your eligibility for free childcare. You and your partner, if you have one, generally need to be working or about to start a job and meet the minimum earnings requirements. You will need a National Insurance number to apply.
• Check when to apply for 30 hours of funded childcare.
• Apply for free childcare by setting up a childcare account.

If your application is approved, you will receive an 11-digit code confirming your eligibility. You will need to provide this code to Wansdyke Preschool.

The government also provides universal 15-hour funded childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds for 38 weeks (190 days) a year. Children become eligible from the term after their third birthday.

Visit Childcare Choices to check which support you may be eligible for.

Childcare Choices

The Childcare Choices website explains how to apply for childcare support.

We cannot check eligibility on your behalf, as you will need to enter personal information. Visit the link below to find out more about free childcare in Bristol:

• Free childcare for under 5s

For a step-by-step guide to applying for your code, read our Education Hub blog or watch the video featuring Early Years Educator Steff, who explains the application process.

To continue receiving your funded childcare hours, you must confirm that your details are up to date in your government childcare account every three months. You will receive a reminder from Childcare Choices when this is due.

If you are not eligible for free childcare for working parents

You may still be able to get help with childcare costs. If your child is aged 3 or 4 and you live in England, you can receive 15 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year.

Working families

For children aged 9 months to 4 years. Eligible working families can apply for 30 hours of childcare for 38 weeks a year, to use from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age, saving up to £8,000 a year for every child.

When you can access the working parent entitlement

The term in which your funded childcare entitlement begins depends on when your child turns 2.

If your child turns 2:

• Between 1 January and 31 March, you can access the entitlement from the term starting on or after 1 April.
• Between 1 April and 31 August, you can access the entitlement from the term starting on or after 1 September.
• Between 1 September and 31 December, you can access the entitlement from the term starting on or after 1 January.

Contact us

We are happy to answer any questions about our nursery and preschool, including availability for 2027/28 and beyond. Please get in touch with the school office at office@wansdykeschool.org.uk.