Our Group
All 3, 4 and 5 year old children are welcome to join Wildflowers, including those with special needs provided that we are able to meet their requirements for support.
We usually have between 10 and 12 children attending on a day.
In the woods, we have a ratio of 1 adult to 4 or 5 children, depending on the ages and maturity of the children.
Our People
The kindergarten manager, Helena Nilsson, has a level 3 qualification in early years education, BA in Social and Behavioural Sciences and has been Forest School Leader trained in both England and Sweden.
Gemma Stevens, a leader and educator, has a level 3 qualification and will complete a BA in Early Childhood Studies during 2009.
Helen Smyth, an educator, is working towards a level 3 qualification.
Our Day
We meet up by the building in the morning and then go to nearby woods and fields.
On some days, the group in Kilmeston will go to the Dean House gardens.
Mid-morning we gather for snack and a story.
After being outside for three hours, we come in for a lie-down rest. Then we share a home-cooked warm meal, while learning to enjoy healthy food and practise social skills.
In the afternoon, the children do an adult-led activity, indoors or outdoors weather permitting.
Our Food
The food we serve is home-cooked, wholegrain, sugar-free and mainly organic.
Opening Times
The kindergarten in Kilmeston is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The kindergarten at Brockwood Park is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The kindergarten day starts at 9.15 a.m. and finishes at 2.45 p.m.
During school holidays we run a holiday play scheme.
Locations
The kindergartens are located in Kilmeston, south of Cheriton and at Brockwood Park between Bramdean and West Meon.
Click on the locations to view a larger scale.
Fees
The fee during 2008/09 per day of 5 1/2 hours is £27.50.
Nursery Education Grant of maximum £43.75 per week is available for 3 and 4 year old children.
The fee for 5 year olds is £22 per day.
The cost of the two substantial meals we provide is £5 per day.
Parent and Child Group
Children who are not yet old enough to start kindergarten can join Wildflowers Parent and Child Group, which meets in Kilmeston Village Hall on Mondays 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
The cost is £5 per weekly session for a child and his/her parents paid termly. This includes a simple lunch for the children, and tea and snack for the adults. The cost for siblings over 1 year is £2.