About Us

About Little Companions Pre-school

Our Little companions Pre-school is a "home away from home" for your child. A safe haven for them to flourish and thrive through play. We develop and guide their learning with our nurturing, highly qualified staff who bring with them a variety of experience and teaching methods, so that your child receives the best early years education for them. We also focus on exploring the natural environment with elements of forest school play which is an innovative educational approach to outdoor learning. The pre-school has an excellent ratio of practitioners to children which ensure effective interaction and we pride ourselves on our collaborative relationships with parents so we can focus on the needs of your child. Coming to our pre-school results in your little ones becoming confident, independent and inquisitive learners ready for the big wide world (or school!) that awaits them.

Each child is allocated a key worker who will help your child to settle as well as maintain a strong partnership with you to ensure individual needs are met. Key workers observe and assess the children to plan activities based around their needs and interests and build each child’s record of development. Parents/guardians may request to view their child’s developmental record at any time. Once registered, we will send you a welcome pack for your child; this will contain essential information for you as well as an ‘All about me’ form which we would like you to fill in prior to your child starting the pre-school.

At Little Companions the curriculum provided to the children follows the Early Years Foundation stage (EYFS). We work in establishing the EYFS in a warm and stimulating environment catering for the children’s individual needs. Each child will go through a settling-in period in order to ease them into the pre-school routine, during this time we will work closely with parents to achieve a smooth transition for each child into the pre-school environment. Settling-in period may vary according to each child’s individual needs and abilities. We may recommend in some cases that parents/guardians bring their child to an extra session in the week to ease settling. They will not be charged for the extra session during the settling period. Parents/guardians will be encouraged to leave their child at the pre-school, gradually extending the time left on each session until the child is confident to stay. Parents can call the pre-school for any updates on their child and the practitioners will be available for any assistance they may require.

Our fully trained team will ensure that you know about your child's experiences at Little Companions Pre-school by individualised weekly updates emailed to you of their interests from the week. We also host an open door policy, with valued chats at the preschool gate at the end of the day. In addition we encourage parents to share what their children have been doing at home, achievements, places they have visited, new vocabulary and latest interests.

We do not expect your child to be potty trained on starting the pre-school and when your child is ready to be trained, we will support you in this process to make the transition from nappy to toilet a happy one.

The following is a checklist of items which your child needs in pre-school for each session; all items must be clearly labelled:

  • Water bottle
  • Bag containing spare change of clothes
  • Nappies/wipes/nappy sacks
  • Please send the children in appropriate and comfortable clothes for the weather.
  • In the autumn to spring months, the children will require Wellington boots for their outside play.
  • See Photo Gallery

    Our Activities

    Aside from our daily creative and colourful free play and structured play activities, we also provide Arabic (optional) through play which is carried out by a specialist teacher for the children as an extracurricular activity. We provide opportunities throughout the year for other specialist play activities depending on the children’s interests - a few to date are messy play fun, football fun, pre-school martial arts - all carried out by qualified specialist practitioners. Reema, also a qualified yoga teacher brings this wonderful form of self-regulation to the children. Yoga strengthens children's muscles, and they also take time out to relax within collective yoga time.


    The children also have an opportunity to make the most of the local environment with trips to the local high street, to the library, and a journey on the tube. Please note all trips are carried out with risk assessments/ high practitioner to child ratio/ parental consent/ in accordance with our Outdoor Trip policy.

    We feel that by learning through the environment, children are able to put their knowledge into context, therefore the children are regularly taken for number, shape and sound walks to draw attention to the fascinating world around them

    With the setting being surrounded by lightly wooded open space the children are encouraged to make the most of this natural environment - with activities such mud kitchen play, mini beast hunts, making fires, climbing logs and walks within the woodland area.

    Children who are preparing for school, 3 years plus, also have moments within their daily routine for specialised play to extend their learning such as:

  • Play and learning to socialise (PALS scheme) - developing Emotional literacy. See PALS program
  • Extended numeracy and literacy play.
  • Additonal needs - Any child with additional needs will be supported for accordingly with the support of the SENCO (Special Needs Coordinator) within the setting and any external specialists if required.
  • Our Team

    Little Companions Pre-school is co-managed between Naazish and Reema. The pre-school evolved from a local mums and tots group run passionately and enthusiastically by the setting’s co-manager Naazish who came together with Reema, a close friend with a vision and along came Little Companions Pre-school

    Naazish has a BSc (Hons) Molecular Cell Biology, however due to her love of working with children in their precious early years inspired by her own children, pursued this as her vocation qualifying with an MA in Early Years Education and Leadership (Distinction - Level 7), Early Years Teacher Status (Level 6) and Level 5 in Leadership and Management. Naazish has worked as an Early Years consultant supporting other settings to improve standards as well as providing mentoring support to managers within the local area and sharing best practice.

    Reema has a BA(Hons) International Business Management, ACCA as well as a Level 3 NVQ Childcare and Development/level 4 leadership and management. Although specialising in our number crunching Reema is an enthusiastic Early Years practitioner, also inspired by her young children and brings the essential fun and creativity to the setting.

    Both Reema and Naazish believe in the importance of creating an environment which reflects the thought and practice that
    ‘It’s not just the availability of resources which nurtures a creative mind, it is the effective language and inspiring interactions by the practitioners which may make the most humble piece of wood or cardboard into something magical.

    As a result the highly qualified Little Companions close-knit team is constantly evolving and furthering their training to ensure the learning environment is as effective as possible.

    To read more about the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum click read more.

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