Jolly Pirates Pre-school is a funded place pre-school under the Education Authority. It is based at Jolly Rodgers Day Nursery, Lisburn, which has been providing the local community with day care facilities for over 20 years. Jolly Pirates pre-school was first established in September 2011 with 16 places. Following a very successful number of applications over previous years, we provide morning and afternoon funded sessions. These take place in a purpose built unit with 5 fully enclosed play areas including our Fairyland Forest. The group leader has a BA Hons degree in Early Childhood Studies, all additional staff are fully vetted and qualified to NVQ level 3, with ongoing training throughout the year and ongoing training to level 5. All staff have child protection training and first aid training. Staff have also trained in lots of different specialities, including ASD, Hanen Teacher Talk and the Media Initiative respecting differences program. The preschool also has the continuous support of an Early years Advisor. Jolly Pirates Pre-school implements the CCEA N.I. Curricular Guidance for Pre-school Education.
Jolly Pirates Pre-school achieved their accreditation award status in May 2017 and in November 2019 had an extremely positive Education Training Inspectorate (ETI) inspection.
Some outcomes from the ETI inspectors report;
“The staff have created an attractive, well-organised and very well-resourced learning environment which promotes the development of the children’s creativity, independence and self-management skills.”
“the approach to care and welfare impacts positively on learning and teaching, and outcomes. The bright, well-resourced environment, effective working relationships and high quality interactions promote the children’s confidence and independence.”
“There are effective links with parents who are kept informed of the life and work of the pre-school through, for example: a communication app; purposeful home-school learning links; and an informative monthly newsletter.”
“The pre-school has also established effective partnerships with a range of primary schools to support the children and parents with the transition to the next phase of their educational journey.”
Jolly Pirates Pre-school operates a key worker system, this allows staff to develop activities which encourage each individual child to learn and develop through play experiences provided daily, both inside the classroom and when outdoors or on pre arranged educational outings.
Experiences across the 6 areas of learning in The Arts, Early Mathematical Experiences, Language Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and The World Around us are provided daily under curricular guidance and learning through play is built upon daily for each child throughout their pre school year, creating the foundation for future learning and primary school.
Jolly Pirates Pre-school has an “Open Door policy” and respects and values parental input for each child in their setting, combining home learning experiences and preschool learning values, throughout the year. Parents are able to access ongoing communication with the classroom through our app and digital communication tools.
Staff hold parent /teacher interviews and each child’s process and developmental goals are discussed, however, parents are welcome to speak to staff at anytime if they have any concerns regarding preschool and their child.
