About Us | preschool

Our Story

Coppull St. John’s Preschool and Forest Explorers is a well established Early Years Education provider located on site at Coppull St. John’s primary school, Preston Road, Coppull, although we are temporarily running from the site just across the road at Chorley Panthers Rugby Club, Chisnall Lane as we await our new premises build.

The pre-school was established in June 1993 by Mrs Susan Ryder and business partner and friend, Carole Brumwell, originally offering morning sessions in the main school building. From the out, the aim was provide a setting where Susan and Carole wanted their own three year-olds to spend their time. Following a successful bid for funding, to meet increased demand, we purchased our own classroom situated on school grounds. (Up until its recent demolition, it was bright purple, you couldn't miss it!)

Over the years, many children have attended the setting and we can now boast that we have educated children across generations. We currently have children attending the setting whose parents have fond memories of learning with Mrs Ryder herself! (She must be doing something right!)

We currently have a roster of 4 fully qualified members of staff, including 2 Early Years Teachers, leading the key worker system. This means we believe we offer the highest possible quality of early education available and every child receives input from their own fully qualified Early Years Teacher everyday. All Teachers are involved with their key children ALL DAY EVERYDAY. In addition to this, ALL staff hold a paediatric first aid and safeguarding qualification.

All of this allows us to be proactive in ensuring ALL children reach their full potential, including the gifted and talented, Looked After Children, children with Additional Needs and children with English as an Additional Language. Collectively, all staff have multiple years of experience in supporting children from all backgrounds. In particular, Mrs Ryder has previously supported other settings in Lancashire as an Advisory Special Educational Needs Coordinator. This extensive experience has meant all setting staff are very capable of working with children with additional needs and are also capable of using “Sign-along” to communicate with non-verbal children.

We believe that education starts at birth and although we are registered to only take children from 12 months, we are happy offer support and advice for parents of children under 1, and start building that relationship with our families early, so feel free to contact us with any questions. We fully appreciate the emotional tax of choosing the right setting for your little ones, and want to do all we can to make that an easier process for you.

For children over 12 months, we offer a communication friendly environment focused around our children's’ individual interests. In the interest of safety we have a separate space, both indoors and outdoors, for children aged up to 18 months old when required, which ensures our most vulnerable early walkers have a safe space to practice navigation space. As and when they are ready however, the children integrate beautifully across the ages to four years old- it really is heartwarming to watch and the noticeable change in the children's attitudes in the settings, from the younger children's accelerated progress, to the older children feeling a sense of enhanced responsibility in guiding the younger ones, is just a joy to see.

In line with the children's level of development, we provide both indoor and outdoor areas which encourage child development across the entire Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum in all weathers. Through our excellent environment and devoted staff, we can ensure children are learning wherever they are in the setting.

We are now proud to offer our Forest School approach, led by our very own Forest School leader, Mr Smedley. As soon as your child is ready, they will access our Forest School activities at a level developmentally appropriate for them, whether that is leaf smashing in wellies at 18 months, or building fires and toasting marshmallows at 4 years. We just love to watch the magic in our little learners' eyes during our Forest Explorer sessions, included in your standard session prices if your child attends that day.

So if you think that we will be a good fit for your little one, feel free to contact the manager, Mrs Ryder, on 07579009918, or drop us an email and we'll get back to you!

You can also visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/coppullstjohnspreschoolandplaygroup