About us

Bright Start Pre-School is an independent Pre-school which provides education for children between the ages of 2 and 4. This includes funded places for eligible 2 year olds, and for children from the age of 3 upwards. Children are able to stay at Bright Start until they reach school age, our children leave us to start their primary education in all of the schools in Carterton and the surrounding villages. We also provide a wrap around care service to both Preschool children and Gateway Primary School.

As an Ofsted registered pre-school, Bright Start strives to achieve the highest possible educational and social standards. In the most recent Ofsted report on the setting (August 2021), Bright Start Pre-school was stated as once again providing good provision. The report reads: “Staff have high expectations for children, who are very sociable with each other and the staff team.” “Children feel safe and secure, and are extremely confident in this warm and loving environment.” “Staff genuinely enjoy their time with the children, who demonstrate a strong sense of belonging in this pre-school.”

Bright Start Pre-School has a strong reputation within the community and has been running since 1974. The pre-school is a registered charity run by a voluntary management committee made up of parents and local people dedicated to the positive development of the pre-school, this includes a chair person, a treasurer, and a secretary, as well as a dedicated team of fundraisers.

The pre-school operates for 5 days a week, offering the flexibility of morning sessions running from 09:00 till 12:00 and afternoon sessions from 12:00 till 15:00. Bright Start Pre-School also provide a breakfast and after school club if required. Government funded children may take their 15 hours entitlement within these times, some parents may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours a week, meaning that they can access 30 hours of free childcare within our setting. The pre-school is open: in term time, Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15:00. Please note at the end of terms 2, 4 and 6, we will close at 12pm.

Bright Start operates from our , dedicated building on the Gateway School site, and feeds into all of the primary schools within Carterton and the surrounding villages. The Pre-School Staff make good use of the facilities on offer, including a fully equipped dedicated outdoor area, and a forest school . We also visit the local library and shops, making regular trips with the children. We invite firefighters, police, paramedics and other professionals into the setting to enhance the children’s learning experiences.

Wrap around care

Bright Start also provides a wrap around care service to children attending preschool and Gateway Primary School. Our Breakfast club runs from 07:45 in the morning and our Afterschool club runs up until 17:30 (17:00 on Fridays).

Items required for Pre School

Please ensure that all items are labelled, including lunch boxes. water bottles, snack and Wellies! Please provide your child with a healthy snack each day, a pair of Wellies (which will stay at pre school), a Sun hat, a water bottle, a bag to stay at school with a change of clothes and Nappies/wipes, (if needed). Please be aware we are a no nut setting! We operate a staggered start for our new children to ensure that they get the support required in their first days with us.

For any online shopping you do, please check to see if you can help us raise funds through Easy Fundraising! It wont cost you any extra, but may earn us some donations!

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/bright-start-pre-school-carterton/