foundation units

[suewhit]

has anyone got any info on foundation units . we have been approached to think about amalgamating our pre-school with the state school for future sustainability.
In principle it sounds great but would like to know of others that have done it and how it has been for them.
hope you knowledgeable lot can help.
sue

[Ruthierhyme]

I'm pretty sure our Primary Schools has a Foundation Unit .. it's a lovely free flow layout .. although not quite my personal taste ~ Will see what else I can find out about them

[suewhit]

thanks very much that would be great. I have found out some info from the dfes and on another site but all from around 2005 and nothing much on private run pre school and state working together. Lots of info on childrens centre and private amalgamations at the mo. do you think fu are a thing like neighbour hood nurseries that seem to have run out of steam?
concerned that if we say yes we will be gazumped as it where.
sue

[ellieblue]

Sue, we are trying to do the same thing in Norfolk, unfortunately the CC do not like it.
“Can’t have Early Years and Education working together!!!”

Our pre school moved into the small village school rather than die. The class is made up of preschool children and reception class. This benefits everyone; the children- there are 4 staff with 18 children we plan almost individually. The preschool- no over heads, no worry about staff, equipment etc. and the school- there would have to be a class of reception, year 1 and 2. It is working really well apart from the fact that we have to keep 2 sets of everything, because we have to be seen as separate groups (Silly)
The head and I are very passionate about how well the foundation stage group is working and want to have all the staff's hard work recognised BUT……..

We are having a meeting with the head of Early Years on Monday! So we are busy gathering evidence to show how much all the children are benefiting from this arrangement. I will let you know what happens. Last meeting held with development workers ended up, after being told we couldn’t do what we were doing and me repeatedly asking WHY, we were told ‘because we are in Norfolk!’
So if you are any further forward let me know

[suewhit]

we are just at the discussion stage at the mo and it has to be hush hush as not all people involved would be happy , however I think it is more important for the school than us as our numbers are fairly constant theirs are dropping as are all the local schools. we of course are smaller and take 2yr olds. we already do wrap around for the school nursery I just think they may wish to poach our 3yr old funded. I have had discussions with the HT she is like myself passionate about early years and has been good to us she charges no rent etc for our rooms. If the school roll drops in 3yrs it will close which would in turn close us . she is trying to become a sort of beacon early years /foundation school to make it different to attract more pupils she is only 10mins away from a new cc in another school that school is well under numbers even with all the extra funding and initiatives. by 2010 the authority says we will have a surge in births with all the new build in the area but if we dont do anything before then there will be no school /pre-school to attend. we are the last pre-school in our town with a strong waiting list I will not sink without trying out all options it is just too important.
if I find out any more I will let you know it is a very interesting issue and like you I think we will find lots of obstacles good luck with what you are doing.
sue

[ellieblue]

We also have a CC opening in the town (2 miles away from us) so our position is similar to yours. It is mutually beneficial for both the school and us. The Preschool would have collapsed and the school would have had to have a class of YR 1 and 2.
The head would like to use our funding money, but that’s OK, they do supply all our equipment etc. Anyway, we will see what the big bosses say on Monday!