Pre-school

At Dauntsey Academy Primary, we believe preschool is the perfect start for children’s learning and confidence. DAPS pre-school supports children as they settle in, build friendships, and develop key skills through play-based activities that feel fun, safe, and purposeful.

Our experienced team creates a warm, caring environment where children can explore, ask questions, and try new things. We focus on early communication, early literacy, counting and number sense, and physical development, while also nurturing social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and working together.

We understand that choosing the right pre-school matters. If you’re looking for a welcoming beginning for your child at Dauntsey Academy Primary School, we’d love to help you learn more about our pre-school provision, routines, and how we support each child’s individual learning journey.

Pre-school Fees, Funding and Information

We hope the information below answers some of the most common questions about pre-school sessions, fees, childcare funding and the support available to children and families.

If you have any questions, would like to arrange a visit or would like to discuss your child's individual needs, please contact our pre-school team.

Opening Hours

Pre-school is open Monday to Friday, 9.00am–3.00pm, during term time only.

We follow Dauntsey Academy Primary School's term dates.

View our school term dates here:
Dauntsey Academy Primary School – Term Dates

Fees

Our current fees for chargeable sessions are:

3–5 year olds: £6.60 per hour
2 year olds: £7.85 per hour

Wraparound Care

We offer additional wraparound care immediately before and after the pre-school day:

8.45–9.00am: £1.65 per child, per day
8.30–9.00am: £3.30 per child, per day
3.00–3.10pm: £1.10 per child, per day

Childcare funding cannot be used to pay for wraparound care.

Optional Extras

Snack: £1.00 per child, per day
Hot lunch provided by Lataca: £2.65 per child, per day

These services are optional.

Invoices and Payments

Invoices are issued termly and fees are payable termly in advance.

We require four weeks' notice if you wish to cancel any paid services or additional paid hours that have been booked for your child.

We accept payment through the Tax-Free Childcare Scheme.

Further information about Tax-Free Childcare is available on the GOV.UK website.

Early Years Childcare Funding

We accept Early Years childcare funding between 9.00am and 3.00pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

Childcare funding cannot be used towards wraparound care or other optional paid services offered by pre-school.

Universal Entitlement for 3 and 4 Year Olds

All children are entitled to funded childcare from the term following their third birthday.

If your child's third birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, funding begins at the start of the Spring Term.
If their third birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March, funding begins at the start of the Summer Term.
If their third birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August, funding begins at the start of the Autumn Term.

Working Parent Entitlement

Eligible working parents of children from 9 months old may be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week.

Parents are responsible for checking their eligibility and ensuring that any required eligibility codes are kept up to date.

Further information is available through the government's Best Start in Life childcare information service.

Funding for 2 Year Olds

Some 2 year olds may also qualify for funded childcare based on their family's circumstances.

Applications for this funding are made through Wiltshire Council.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Early Years Pupil Premium provides additional funding to pre-school to help us further improve the education and support we provide for eligible children.

Eligibility is based on nationally set criteria.

If you think your child may qualify for EYPP, please speak to a member of the pre-school team. We will be happy to discuss this with you and support you with the application process.

Further information is available from Wiltshire Council.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

The Disability Access Fund provides additional funding to Early Years settings to support eligible children with disabilities or special educational needs to access their funded Early Years entitlement.

Children who meet the eligibility requirements, including being in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), may qualify for this funding.

If your child receives DLA, please speak to a member of the pre-school team so that we can discuss applying for DAF on your child's behalf.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We are committed to providing an inclusive pre-school environment in which every child is supported to learn, develop and thrive.

Our pre-school Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is Mandy Swan who works alongside Rowan Carpenter (Inclusion Lead) .

If we identify that a child may need additional support, we will work closely with parents and carers to understand their needs and identify appropriate strategies and provision. This may include:

adapting activities and the preschool environment;
providing additional or targeted support;
setting and reviewing individual targets;
working with parents and carers to monitor progress;
seeking advice from other professionals and outside agencies where appropriate; and
supporting children with transitions into preschool and onwards into school.

Parents and carers know their children best, so we encourage you to speak to us if you have any concerns about your child's communication, learning, physical development, behaviour, emotional wellbeing or any other aspect of their development.

Further information about SEND provision across Dauntsey Academy Primary School can be found within our school's SEND Information Report and through the Wiltshire Local Offer.

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of every child is our highest priority.

Pre-school follows Dauntsey Academy Primary School's safeguarding and child protection procedures.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is Mrs. Philippa Winbolt who leads the school safeguarding team which includes Mrs. Mandy Swan who is the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for Pre-school.

If you have a safeguarding concern about a child, please speak to a member of staff or one of the school's Designated Safeguarding Leads.

Further information can be found on the Safeguarding section of the school website.

Complaints and Funded Early Education Entitlements

We aim to work positively and openly with parents and carers and encourage you to speak to us at the earliest opportunity if you have any concerns.

We have a complaints procedure for parents and carers who believe that their child has not received their funded Early Years entitlement correctly or that their entitlement has not been delivered in accordance with the relevant requirements.

In the first instance, please raise your concern with the pre-school so that we have the opportunity to investigate and resolve the matter.

Our full Early Years Funding Complaints Procedure is available on this website and explains:

how to raise a concern or complaint;
who will investigate your complaint;
how and when we will respond;
how you can escalate your complaint if you remain dissatisfied; and
how to contact Wiltshire Council where appropriate.

This procedure supports our responsibilities under the Wiltshire Council Early Years Provider Agreement and the relevant statutory guidance for local authorities.

Deposits and Registration Fees

We do not charge a deposit for booking a place for your child or for adding your child's name to our waiting list.

We also do not charge a registration or administration fee for accessing funded or non-funded pre-school hours.

Pre-school Uniform

Pre-school uniform is available if you would like your child to wear it, but it is completely optional.

Pre-school T-shirt: £6.50
Pre-school sweatshirt: £10.00

There is no requirement for children to wear preschool uniform to attend.

Nappies, Wipes and Changes of Clothes

If your child requires nappies, please provide a named bag containing:

nappies;
wipes;
nappy sacks; and
a suitable change of clothes.

Please ensure these are replenished when required.

Contact Us

We are always happy to answer questions or arrange for families to visit pre-school and have a look around.

Pre-school Contact: Mrs. Deb Faulkner
Email: preschool@daps.equamead.org
Telephone: 01380 813373

Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a visit, discuss a pre-school place or find out more about the support we can offer your child.