- Find out more - frequently asked questions

We are open during term time, Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 4.00pm. With the following morning, afternoon and full day session options available;

Morning

8.30am - 12.15pm

Morning with packed lunch

8.30am - 1.30pm

Afternoon

12.15pm - 4.00pm

Full day

8.30am - 4.00pm

Breakfast is included within our very reasonable consumable fee

Elmtree Preschool is independent from The Elmgrove Centre and Church groups.

We are registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), running as a not for profit, inclusive and multicultural preschool. 

We are based in Redland, at The Elmgrove Centre, BS6 6AH. We hire the building and have a positive partnership with the Elmgrove team, as long term hirers.

FIND US

We are adjacent to Cotham Gardens Primary School (Infant site), next to Bannatyne Gym, and close to Redland Rail Station.

You will find us via the side entrance gate, near Bannatynes gym carpark.

Walk along the pathway between the main and small hall.

Look out for the Elmtree Preschool sign on the little fence at the end of the pathway, our main entrance is the white door to the right. 

We have two large rooms opening onto an enclosed courtyard. Each area offers different resources and activities for all to enjoy and free flow between.

The Snug often has a calm feel, with fairy lights, comfy cushions and lots of lovely books to enjoy. In this room children can also expect to find craft and sensory resources, large wooden bricks, duplo, a wooden train-set and baskets containing various natural loose parts to explore. This room is also where we have our breakfast, packed lunch and snacks together ~ sat around our table, complete with a polkadot tablecloth, teacups and saucers!

The Play Barn is a bright room, where children can expect to find our cosy home corner, a beautiful dolls house and other small world and imaginative play resources. We have a large round activity table, which is perfect for playing games and puzzles with our friends and teachers, drawing pictures or reading a book. We also have some soft play equipment and a ball pit to play in. 

Alongside our continuous provision, various activities, resources and invitations for play will also be available in each area;

based on the children’s interests, and harmonised with the Early Years Foundation Stage.

For the benefit of the children we like to keep our session numbers small, with just 10 - 15 children attending per session.

As we keep our group small we do not separate the age ranges into different rooms. We have two large rooms and an enclosed courtyard, providing an interesting, fun and flexible free flow play environment for all to explore together.

We do differentiate our activities depending on age and stage of the children, and we may choose to have smaller key groups for adult guided group times. For example when a group of children are soon to start reception year at primary school.

Alongside supporting our ethos of providing a small, welcoming and supportive preschool community, it also helps us ensure all children get the best level of care and attention. 

 Elmtree Preschool is registered with The Charity Commission as a not-for-profit charity.

This means all funds go directly back into the preschool, for the benefit of children and their families. Any surplus of funds are used to ensure the preschool remains financially sustainable, and can be allocated to projects we would like to complete to enhance our provision.

As a registered charity we can claim gift aid on donations we receive. We can arrange fundraising events, and have volunteer opportunities.

We do ask for a small termly donation, these donations are voluntary and whilst very much appreciated, it is not a condition of your child's place. We use termly donations to help fund extra activities, such as cooking, outings, or special crafts for example. Receiving termly donations also helps us keep our consumable charge as low as possible.

We have a board of trustee volunteers, who help manage Elmtree Preschool. Becky and Caroline (Elmtree's managers) are also trustees of the charity. The trustees meet once a term for a meeting. Their expertise and experience in both early years and charity sectors are very valuable to Elmtree Preschool.

Yes, we are affiliated with Bristol City Council and registered for the funded childcare entitlement.

We offer funded 2 year old, 15 and 30 extended funded hours. 

Funding becomes available to you the funded term after your child's third birthday (or second birthday if eligible). Bristol city council funding terms are the beginning of September, January and April. For example, if your child's birthday is in October your entitlement will become available to you in January. 

*You are very welcome to start before your funding entitlement begins, these sessions will be charged at our standard rate.

As part of our registration with the council we have termly Quality Assessment visits from the area lead teacher/Early Years Consultant and from the Inclusion and Portage team. 

We offer the funded childcare sessions for eligible 2's, 3 & 4 year olds, and the extended 30 hour funding.

FUNDED CHILDCARE SUPPORT IS EXPANDING

Find out what you may be entitled to here:  

Yes, please do come and visit us!

Get in touch to arrange a visit. It is lovely if you also bring your child along too. 

We run our visits very much like a stay and play; so that you and your child can see if Elmtree Preschool is the right fit for you and your family. 

Picture by SketchyMuma/Anna Lewis