Holistic education, childcare & family sessions
Childcare at Free Spirits
on Norman Court Estate
Childcare
Free Spirits provides childcare for up to 12 children aged 4-11 in one mixed-age 'family style' group. We operate during normal term times and also during half term breaks. Our core day runs 9am-3pm and additional wrap-around hours are available to book at half-hourly intervals for childcare between 8am-5pm. Private tutoring is also available.
Due to the calibre of our highly qualified staff, in addition to the statutory offerings, our children also receive informal foreign language teaching and Steiner Waldorf activities. Until the end of term after their 5th birthday, children are entitled to 15 or 30 hours per week of free childcare which can be used at Free Spirits. A supplementary fee of £10 per day is payable for access to these specialities, as well as snacks and seasonal treats.
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Free Spirits is a warm and welcoming community of like-minded families, and once registered you will be invited to join the WhatsApp group. You can also stay up to date with what we're up to on our Facebook page. When your child is on site, you can contact the Duty Manager directly on 07375 229926.
Free Spirits is subject to regular Ofsted checks, is obliged to follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Framework for under-fives, and is on both the Early Years and Childcare Registers. As such, you can claim back up to 85% of your fees if you are in receipt of Universal Credit.
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Free Spirits is led by a small team of experienced, qualified practitioners possessing DBS, Safeguarding & Child Protection, First Aid and Basic Food Hygiene certificates.
Structure of the Day
On arrival, children are given plenty of time to settle in and catch up with their friends. Once everyone is present, we gather in our cosy main room to sing our Welcome Song together, enjoy Show & Tell, then have a vegan candlelit snack around the dining table.
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In the Main Room, children will have access to books, high-quality toys and games and open-ended resources that encourage imagination. For our younger Free Spirits, we also have a role play area and a home corner including a two-storey castle complete with ladder and slide! The children will be observed during their free time and engaged in academically enhancing play and conversation so that they are learning without realising it. There is a bed should children wish to have a lie down, and a separate art area.
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In the Rainbow Room, there is a two-storey soft play area, including climbing challenges for the older children, a reading nook and a sensory swing. Our blackboard, round table and chairs are also based in this room for tutoring sessions.
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Our hard-working staff organise a daily learning activity based on our monthly theme. This is always hands-on and fun!
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During our day together, children help to prepare food, lay the table, wash up their crockery and clean the room. We play outdoors every day in the gardens, meadow, woods or on the play trail. The rope swings are a particular favourite!​
Join the Free Spirits Family
Free Spirits is a warm and welcoming community of like-minded families, and once registered you will be invited to join the Families' WhatsApp group where you will receive daily updates and photos of the day's activities. There are also coffee mornings/afternoons, off-site family meet-ups, and plenty of opportunities to get involved in volunteering onsite.
Check out our latest news on our Facebook page. When your child is on site, you can contact the Duty Manager directly on 07375 229926.
We are run by a small team of experienced, qualified practitioners possessing DBS, Safeguarding & Child Protection, First Aid and Basic Food Hygiene certificates.
Free Spirits is subject to regular Ofsted checks and is on both the Early Years and Childcare Registers.