NEWS: FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 WE WILL BE OFFERING 15 HOURS PER WEEK FREE FOR CHILDREN AGED 3 AND 4 WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE EARLY YEARS FREE ENTITLEMENT. WE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDING OUR OPENING HOURS TO MONDAY TO THURSDAY 9.00 - 2.45 AND FRIDAY 9.00 - 1.45.

We are a very small, friendly setting based on a Catholic School site in Brighton. We have close links with the school and the vast majority of our children move on to the school's reception class. Our Manager is an Early Years Professional (see the links section for more information about EYPs) and she is also a qualified Primary School Teacher. We cater for a maximum of 15 children aged between 2 and a half and 5 years. We are open term-time only.

OPENING TIMES FOR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS: 9.00AM UNTIL 1.45PM ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS AND 9.00AM UNTIL 2.45PM ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS. FROM SEPTEMBER '09 WE WILL BE OPENING 'TIL 2.45PM ON MONDAYS

OPENING TIMES FOR 2.5 YEAR OLDS: MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9.00AM - 11.30AM OR 12.30PM WITH A LUNCH CLUB AND TUESDAYS TO THURSDAYS 12.15 - 2.45PM.

WE HAVE A LUNCH CLUB FROM 11.30AM TO 12.30PM EACH DAY FOR ALL CHILDREN. FEES FOR EXTRA HOURS ON TOP OF THE FREE ENTITLEMENT FOR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS WORK OUT TO £3.54 PER HOUR (£3.60 PER HOUR FROM SEPTEMBER '09). MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN OUR 'FEES STRUCTURE' WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN THE 'DOCUMENTS' SECTION OF THE WEBSITE. 

We are guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage and are registered to receive the Early Years Free Entitlement which means that from the term after your child turns 3, you will be entitled to a free  12.5 hours per week (15 hours from September 2009). For younger children we charge £7.50 per 2.5 hour morning/afternoon session (Rising to £8.00 in January 2010). Lunch club costs £3.54 per day for an extra hour; you provide a packed lunch for your child. We provide a healthy snack and a drink during each session. Ofsted awarded us a grading of good for both care and nursery education. You can see a copy of the report in the 'documents' section on this website. We were awarded  'credits' for our Quality Assurance Modules: 'Parental Partnership, Home and Community Liaison', 'Learning and Teaching Strategies', 'Planning, Assessment and Recordkeeping', 'Relationships and Interactions' and 'Physical Environment'. We have ICAN accreditation (see links section for more information about ICAN Early Talk). We have our own fenced off outdoor area and an adjacent grassy area which offers lots of opportunities for exploring the natural environment. We have occasional access to the school adventure play equipment and the fantastic new pirate ship, which provide a wonderful challenge for the children. Our latest newsletter for parents/carers can be found below.

To apply for a place, please ring or e-mail us or complete the application form (see below) and send it to us by post or e-mail:

07757 865 277 or 01273 556607

stjosephs.playgroup@ntlworld.com

Please note, we charge a £10.00 non-refundable registration fee per child.

VACANCIES: 

WE ARE FULL FOR SEPTEMBER 2009 AND ARE OPERATING A WAITING LIST. WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER 2010. PLEASE RING OR EMAIL FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO ARRANGE A VISIT OR TO APPLY FOR A PLACE. ALTERNATIVELY YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM AND EMAIL IT TO US.