Shirley Community Primary & Preschool

SHIRLEY PreSchool

Welcome to our Caterpillars class!

About Shirley PreSchool

Shirley PreSchool provides early years education and childcare for children aged 2-4yrs, in the community of Chesterton in Cambridge and beyond.

Based at the site of Shirley Community Primary School in Cambridge, our preschool provides a comprehensive range of childcare and educational options tailored to meet the diverse needs of parents and children. We are dedicated to offering both government funded and privately funded sessions, thereby ensuring that families can access the highest quality early years care and education that aligns with their specific requirements.

You will find information regarding eligibility and availability for your child throughout this page and in our FAQs. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions.

Free childcare at Shirley PreSchool

All 3 to 4 year olds in England can get 570 hours of free childcare per year. At Shirley Preschool, this means using up to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year (term time) starting from the term after their third birthday. 

Currently, some 3 to 4 year olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare a week. You can check if your child is eligible for this additional free childcare here (opens in new window).

From April 2024 the early education and childcare entitlement for working parents is expanding to include 2 year olds from the term after their second birthday. Here at Shirley Preschool that means 15 free hours of childcare per week during term time. You can check eligibility here https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/childcare-and-early-learning/childcare-entitlements-for-working-parents 

Some other 2 year olds are entitled to 15 hours a week of funded early learning and childcare too. If your child is entitled to this funding they can attend Shirley Preschool for 38 weeks of the year (term time) from the term after their second birthday. You can check eligibility here https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/childcare-and-early-learning/free-childcare-for-2-year-olds  

Shirley Preschool start new children at the beginning of each term in September, January and April as long as a valid application has been received for them before the end of the previous term, there is space in the class, and in accordance with our Admission Policy.  

Additional and wraparound childcare at Shirley PreSchool

Further to the above funded childcare which can be provided by Shirley Preschool, parents can purchase additional sessions for 2, 3 & 4 year olds for a very competitive £25 each. 

3 and 4 year old children who attend Shirley Preschool can also access the the school's breakfast and after-school clubs, run by Kids R Us, providing parents with ample opportunities for wraparound care. 

Life at Shirley PreSchool

The day is from 9am to 3pm. Morning sessions are 9am to 12pm and afternoon sessions are 12pm to 3pm. Children who stay all day will bring their own healthy packed lunch.

We provide the children with plenty of water and/or milk to drink throughout the day and they will be able to enjoy a fruit or vegetable snack during both the morning and afternoon sessions.

We encourage pre-school children to wear our school's uniform. You can buy uniform items with Shirley School's logo on direct from from our uniform supplier.

Uniform items can also be purchased from clothing shops and supermarkets. The children wear:

• Charcoal trousers/skirt/dress
• White polo top 
• Maroon jumper/cardigan

While thinking about your child's uniform please make sure they have footwear which will support their growing independence - i.e. Velcro fastenings. 

The preschool children are very busy and in the pictures you can see some of the activities they have been enjoying. 

You can browse our Welcome page for new joiners. You can also look at our Blog and Curriculum Letter pages to discover more about what the children get up to!

We also have a Home Learning page which provides activity ideas and web links to support parents in promoting children's learning and development.  

Contact us

Any further enquiries about Shirley PreSchool can be made via the school office. Please see the below form to begin your application.

Phone: 01223 712252

email: office@shirley.cambs.sch.uk

Our Preschool Admissions Policy and Application Form can be found below.

To apply for a place for your child at Shirley Pre-School please download and complete the form.

If you would prefer, you can ask for a paper copy of this form at the school office. 

Our FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you haven't been able to find the information you need, please contact us.

What age can my child attend Shirley PreSchool?

From April 2024 Shirley Pre-School welcomes children in Cambridge and the surrounding area from the term after their 2nd birthday. 

How much do sessions cost at Shirley PreSchool?

Beyond their funded entitlement, parents can purchase additional sessions for their child. The cost is £25 per session.

Some two year old children are entitled to receive 15 hours  of free childcare a week (term time). Use the above link to check your child's eligibility. 

In England, all 3 to 4 year olds are entitled to receive 570 hours of free childcare annually. At Shirley Preschool, this allocation translates to a maximum of 15 hours per week over 38 weeks during term time. With this funding, children can begin attending our preschool from the term following their third birthday, and we accept new admissions at the start of each term: September, January, and April. 

It is important to note that some 3 to 4 year olds may be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free childcare, taking their entitlement to 30 hours a week in term time. To determine if your child qualifies for this additional benefit, you can verify their eligibility through the above provided link. 

Can my child have lunch at Shirley PreSchool?

We ask that children staying for the duration of that day bring their own healthy packed lunch. We provide ample water and milk for the children, offered at regular intervals and as required, and also a fruit/vegetable based snack offered each session. Children's lunches must NOT contain any nut products. 

What kind of activities do the children participate in at preschool?

At Shirley Preschool, we offer a diverse range of engaging activities for our children to enjoy throughout the day. Our modern classrooms facilitate multiple stimulating indoor activities such as story time, junk modelling, role play, water tray, painting, building blocks and many more to nurture each child’s development.

To complement our indoor facilities, we have a fully equipped and preschool appropriate playground where children can indulge in lots of fresh air and physical activity. It serves as a safe and dynamic space for them to explore, socialise, and enhance their motor skills.

We also have use of the school field and nature area which we visit four times a week with each visit allowing the children to enjoy exciting outdoor adventures, immersing themselves in the wonders of nature, encouraging exploration, and providing valuable opportunities for hands-on learning.

Does my child need to wear a uniform at preschool?

Though it is not compulsory at Shirley Preschool, we encourage our children to wear our school's uniform. You can buy uniform items with Shirley School's logo directly from our uniform supplier.

Uniform items can also be purchased from clothing shops and supermarkets. The children wear:

• Charcoal trousers/skirt/dress
• White polo top
• Maroon jumper/cardigan

While thinking about your child's uniform please make sure they have footwear which will support their growing independence - i.e velcro fastenings.