Lindley Preschool is an exciting, homely & friendly setting based in Lindley Methodist Church Centre opposite Lindley Infant School. We are a traditional pack-away preschool with a modern outlook on early education, embracing child led learning, valuing outdoor exploration and creating opportunities for creativity & curiosity.
You might be mistaken for thinking you have walked into a ‘bric-a-brac shop’ when you walk into the preschool, the fact is we have just begun our journey towards achieving the Curiosity Approach accreditation.
The Curiosity Approach is the style of delivering the early years learning curriculum that evokes children’s awe and wonder in the world and their environment around them as they interact with it.
The provision of interesting, carefully constructed play spaces, enhanced with invitations to play and provocations to develop children’s learning both indoors and outdoors enables the children to;
We believe the Curiosity Approach will fulfil the hopes and aspirations you have for your child’s early education. Although this approach is exciting and quite new to us at Lindley Preschool it is built upon solid, underpinning early years philosophers and education curriculums including;
Who believes that the learning environment is the child’s “Third Teacher” after their parents and family and us as early years professionals. He suggests the environment should be filled with natural light, order and space.
Who emphasises that young children benefit from an unhurried and stress-free environment where there is time to discover the world around them in order for them to master social, physical, speech and language and other life skills.
An education curriculum that enables children to be “confident and competent learners and communicators with healthy bodies, minds and spirits who are secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valuable contribution to society.”
Maria Montessori believes that the child should be placed at the centre of the education process, an education that’s is hands on for children, self-directed and supports collaborative play.
Our Wonderful Woodland is an outdoor programme of activities delivered by trained practitioners within a natural environment whatever the weather! (except in high winds, hail, or thunder and lightning). Our programme will be tailored to meet the needs of the children as they grow in confidence, skills and understanding. The ethos of Forest School allows the children the time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through practical, hands-on experiences. It also allows practitioners to step back and observe the children in order to then encourage and inspire the children to achieve through careful scaffolding and facilitating.
We are fortunate that the Methodist Church grounds include a woodland area. We have invested a significant amount of money to develop previously unused land to create a safe and secure woodland area for your children to explore, develop and learn in. The Woodland area is accessed via a path behind the Methodist Church building and is secured by a gate, fencing and dry-stone walls.
The Wonderful Woodland activities will support the holistic development of the child:
I joined Lindley preschool in 2012 as manager after having many years’ experience in managerial roles in other early years and local authority children’s centre settings. I have a degree in early years, I also hold an early years teacher status (EYTS) and have recently gained an early years SENCo qualification. I am the settings SENCo and lead Safeguarding Practitioner.
During my time at Lindley preschool I have supported many positive changes including the introduction of family learning and setting up the Wonderful Woodland from scratch.
I am continually inspired by the children and are passionate about creating a safe environment that is full of awe and wonder for the children to explore, learn and grow.
I have two teenage children of my own, I love to walk and try and walk to work every day! I love all types of music and enjoy going to festivals.
My name is Sarah, I have worked at Lindley preschool as deputy manager since 2010. I am a level 3 qualified early years practitioner, I have a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification and hold a level 3 leadership and management qualification, I have over 23 years’ experience of working in early years and with young children. I am the settings ‘Children who are looked after’ co-ordinator and have done extensive training particularly around attachments and attachment trauma. I am also the settings deputy safeguarding lead.
I love making preschool fun for the children, I am passionate about the children’s well-being and bringing laughter and enjoyment to their day.
I have 3 children and a dog, we love to walk the dog as a family. I also enjoy photography and particularly enjoy taking photos of nature.
Hi I am Claire. I have been working at Lindley preschool since September 2021, prior to this I worked in a similar setting in Calderdale for 17 years. I have 2 children and 2 dogs.
Hi, I am Mel. I hold my level 3 early years practitioner qualification and a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification. I have worked at Lindley preschool since 2007 since my own children were very little. I am the settings health and safety officer. I enjoy engaging in Action Kids with the children, also Acro, Ballet and Street dance sessions run by KT dance.
I have 2 teenage children of my own, we have a dog called Poppy. I enjoy shopping, holiday and watching my son play in his football matches.
I am Rachel, I have been an early year’s practitioner at Lindley Preschool since 2011. I have a level 3 early years qualification and a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification. I co-ordinate the settings community links. We enjoy regular visits to the local children's book shop and more recently to a local care home where we are forming intergenerational partnerships.
I have 3 children and a dog. I love going on dog walks and shopping.
Hello, I’m Alicia. I work in the snug with the youngest children at Lindley Preschool. I have a BA honours degree in Education Studies, and I am currently working towards my level 3 early years educator qualification. I am mum to 2 children who both attended Lindley Preschool when they were younger.
Hi, I am Zoe. I have worked at Lindley Preschool since 2015. I hold a level 3 early years practitioner qualification and a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification.. I love getting out and about with the children and discovering and learning in the local environment. I really value what learning opportunities the local area and community brings.
I am mum to 1 little girl, I have a boxer dog and I love everything Disney.
Hey I’m Ruth. I have worked at Preschool since 2013, I am a level 3 qualified Early Years Practitioner, a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification. I also hold a level 2 food safety qualification and run the preschools lunch club. I am also the lead practitioner for the out of school club, my role at preschool provides continuity for the children who use the out of school club for wrap around care.
I love getting creative and attend lots of craft activities in my spare time.
Hello I’m Amanda, I've been working here since 2019 after having a leadership role in another early years setting. I hold a level 3 early years qualification and a level 3 paediatric first aid qualification. I am passionate about bringing awe and wonder to the children's day, I enjoy setting up exciting invitations for learning.
I am mum to 2 boys and have 2 chickens. I love going on walks and being in the outdoors.
Hi, I’m Val. I have worked in various early years settings and schools supporting children on a 1.1 basis. I hold my level 3 qualification in supporting teaching and learning in schools. I am employed as bank staff at Lindley Preschool.
I love horses and in my spare time I look after my granddaughter.
Hello I am Maryam. I started off as a student at Lindley Preschool in 2017 and have now gained level 3 health and social care and I am working towards a BA honours degree in early years education and care.
I enjoy spending time with my family and love to babysit for my niece and nephew. I enjoy going to visit my sister in Canada.
Lindley Preschool is a charity and has to be run by a committee of trustees, most of whom are parents of current or recent preschool children. We cannot run without our committee members; they play a vital role in supporting many aspects of the preschool.
Committee Members:
“Our committee is very friendly. We meet roughly every term depending on upcoming events. As trustees we might discuss finance, staffing, new projects and upcoming events. It can be a good way of making new friends and having more knowledge of what happens at preschool”
Claire Parr, Chairperson
