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Welcome to our parent's information board on our website! Acerca de Parents Information . Share your anonymous feedback or complaint here Your Name (if you wish to provide this) Out of 5, how happy are you with Ducklings? Let us know what you think! What can we do to improve? What are you happy with? Submit Thank you for submitting and sharing your feedback successfully! Some more useful resources for our parents Change to attendance online request form Read More > OUR TERM DATES Read More > FREE RESOURCES LEARNING FROM HOME HUB Read More > class dojo login Read More > registration paperwork Read More > childcare funding information Read More > preparing for your first day at preschool Read More > uniform order sheet Read More > our curriculum Read More > Operation encompass Read More > ico certification Read More > ethnic minority achievement Read More >

Ducklings Preschool and Nursery is a family-owned & run childcare, providing outstanding services in Milton Keynes and Manchester for 20 years'. Aged 0-5 Years welcome, 30 hours Government funded sessions - childcare tax free. Book a visit today easily online. Central Milton Keynes Oldbrook , Bow Brickhill , Emerson Valley , Monkston Park , Monkston St Barts , Monkston , Shenley Brook End , Tattenhoe Park , Westcroft , Furzton , Blackley Middleton Manchester Childcare preschool nursery Welcome to Ducklings Preschool and Nursery - MK Inspiring School Award Winner - Founded in 2000, Ducklings Preschool is extremely proud to operate across Milton Keynes and Manchester. We strive to create an outstanding, loving, caring atmosphere in a safe and friendly environment. If you're looking for a space at one of our settings, please call us at 07476 079904 or contact us here. Limited spaces are available, so contact us today! Book a visit here Our Locations Staff Resources Class Dojo Login Our Term Dates Our Pricing & Funding Guide Parent Resources Contact Us Here Free Learning at Home Hub What Our Parents Think I couldn't have chosen a better Preschool for our children. The staff are very warm and caring , there's plenty of play, creative activity and encouragement and my children have loved every minute Melissa Congratulations to Katie for passing her Level 3! What Our Staff Think With Bekki's support I am learning on the job and this (SEND Level 3) course has given me confidence in my practice. Thank you John,Debbie,Bekki. When opportunities are provided internally it make you push yourself and achieve your goals . Thank you all. Shivani Request further information today! Do you wish to learn a little more about Ducklings? Fill in your details below, OR give us a call - we're here to help! Contact Form I agree to the terms & conditions Submit Your form was submitted correctly, Thank you. We'll be in touch shortly Ducklings Head Office General Enquiries 07476 079904 ducklingsmarketing@gmail.com Admissions Enquiries 07828 807290 ducklingspreschool@hotmail.com

Welcome to Ducklings Staff Resources. Click here to learn more about the safeguarding resources used. Log In Staff Policies & Procedures To continue to view all of our staff policies and procedures used, please click on the arrow here Next Disciplinary procedure , policy and procedures implementation and review policy , health and safety policy , fire safety policy , food safety , health policy , promoting inclusion equality and valuing diversity policy , safeguarding children young people and vulnerable adults policy , record keeping policy , staff volunteers, and students policy , early years practice policy , working in partnership with parents and other agencies polocy , wellbeing assessment toolkit , staff disciplinary procedure , sen support, generic risk assessment form , access audit form , prioritized place risk assessment form , group rooms , stairways , corridors, kitchen , children's bathrooms , children's changing , milk kitchen , short trips , outdoors , staff cloakroom , maintenance and repairs , laundry areas , staff personal safety , threats and abuse , entrances and approach to the building , control of substances hazardous to health , manual handling , festival , jewellery smart watches accessories , animals and pets , facepainting , notifiable incident , CCTV , bereavement policy , rifre safety risk assessment , food preparation storage , food for play , menu planning and nutrition , breastfeeding , accidents and emergency treatment , administration of medicine , life-saving medication and invasive treatments , allergies and food intolerance , poorly children , oral health , baby and child massage , child welfare , visitors , uncollected child , incapacitated parent , e-safety , supervision , children's records and data protection , transfer of records , client access to records , prime time role of the key person , setting in and transitions , arrivals and departures , baby and toddler mealtimes , intimate care and napp changing , sleep and rest time , separation anxiety , promoting positive behaviour, SEN Support action plan. Fire safety, fire procedure, lockdown procedure , bomb safety, lockdown. Staff sickness policy , staff sick , what to do when calling in sick , calling in sick , calling in poorly , infection, infectious , infectious disease , disease , infectious disease policy, whistleblowing , whistle blowing policy, risk assessment form , access audit form , prioritised place risk assessment form , outside play policy , fire safety risk assessment, health care plan , infection control

Understand the pricing, fees, and funding opportunities for Ducklings Preschool and Nursery here. Discover what type of funding you are entitled to here, easily! Milton Keynes & Manchester Preschool and Nursery. Ducklings Preschool price Pricing, Fees and Funding Information So you wish to join the Ducklings Family but are curious about the costs? We're here to help! Ducklings offers both funded and private paying spaces Childcare Funding Information If you are unaware as to whether you are entitled to any funding, please click on the appropriate council box below to learn more! Our Pricing Information If you are not entitled to any funding, or would like to pay for additional sessions on top of your funding, please find the prices below; MILTON KEYNES 18-Months £30 per session (full day £60 ) 2-year-olds £26 per session (Full day £52 ) 3-year-olds £24 a session (full day £48 ) Snack fee is £2 per week (£76 a year). Fees need to be paid at the 1st of every month to cover that month, if fees are not paid on time, than entry will be refused. MANCHESTER Middleton 8 am -5 pm Under 2-year-olds per day £56 2-year-olds per day £54 Preschool age per day £53 Breakfast Club: 7:30 am start £10 After School: 5:30 pm finish £10 Blackley 8 am -5:30 pm Under 2-year-olds per day £53 2-year-olds per day £52.50 Preschool age per day £52 Early bird 'Breakfast Club' £7.50 After School: £7.50 per hour

Ducklings has provided outstanding childcare services for more than 20 years across Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Greater Manchester and Manchester. 30 hour government funded sessions Tax free childcare sessions Preschool and nursery near you Our Locations Bow Brickhill Monkston St. Barts Monkston Park Emerson Valley Milton Keynes Tattenhoe Park Shenley Brook End Oldbrook Westcroft Manchester Blackley - Manchester Middleton - Manchester Furzton Bradwell Village Shenley Lodge

At Ducklings, we strive to create a loving atmosphere, in a safe and friendly environment. Learn more about our Ducklings family here. About Us At Ducklings we strive to create a loving, caring atmosphere in a safe and friendly environment We strive to support all children to enable them to achieve their best. In order to do this many steps are taken to support them through their learning journeys, and on occasions, for some children, further positive support may be needed to help achieve their full potential. Furthermore, Ducklings is proud to announce that each of our sites has a named SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator), an HR Manager, and 3 Compliance Managers/Area Managers, who further support all the sites. Together, these coordinators and managers play vital roles in supporting to ensure that the child’s individual needs are met. Laying down the foundation for a solid education for more than 25 years Since founded back in 2000; Ducklings values children and their parents/carers. We acknowledge that parents and/or carers are the first educators of children , therefore we prioritise working in partnership with parents and/or carers. This strong bond is paramount to children’s learning and development, we achieve this through face-to-face updates, regular updates of observations on Class Dojo, up-to-date newsletters, fun Stay and Play sessions where parents and carers can enjoy time at Ducklings playing for the day, along with various fundraising events, and a wide variety of celebrations throughout the year. We are also proud to introduce Ducklings Activities , on our website: Ducklings Artists , Ducklings Chefs , Ducklings Gardeners , and Ducklings Readers , which provides you with free, easy access to fun and interactive activities you can enjoy with your children at home. Feel free to check this out, as the activities are frequently updated! Our future aims At Ducklings we care about your child. We are focused on making sure transitions to school go as smoothly as possible! Each site works closely with local schools to ensure all relevant transition supporting documents are completed and relayed to the school of your choice to ensure a positive transition. Where possible, the school Teachers are encouraged to visit the setting and meet the children. Fundraising and giving back At Ducklings Preschool, we believe that fostering a spirit of giving and empathy from an early age is crucial. Through our fundraising efforts for both local and national charities, we teach our preschoolers the value of helping others, nurturing a community-minded approach that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Find our most recent fundraisers below! Mind Mental Health Children in Need 2024 Children in Need Children with Cancer UK Crackerjacks Helping Disabled Children Macmillan Cancer Support

Interested in joining Ducklings Preschool? Download, complete, and either print or email us over your completed registration paperwork for Ducklings Preschool and Nursery here! Registration Paperwork Simply download our registration paperwork below, complete the forms, and either print off OR email them back to us! REGISTRATION PAPERWORK FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 WHY CHOOSE DUCKLINGS BOOKLET Milton Keynes Council September 2025 Funding Form

Here you'll find our Staff Term Dates for all our sites. Please download and print off this page, so you have a record to hand. Staff Term Dates Please scroll to your appropriate setting to find the correct term dates for your preschool. Milton Keynes, Manchester (Blackley), and Rochdale (Middleton). MILTON KEYNES Closed Bank Holidays! Open Tuesday 6th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd February 2026 Close Friday 27th March 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Easter Holiday Open Monday 13th April 2026 Closed Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) May Half Term Open Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Closed Thursday 16th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Thursday 3rd September 2026 Closed Friday 23rd October 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) October Half Term Open Monday 2nd November 2026 Closed Thursday 17th December 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Christmas Holidays Open Tuesday 5th January 2027 Closed Friday 12th February 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) February Half Term Open Monday 22nd February 2027 Closed Thursday 25th March 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Easter Holidays Open Monday 12th April 2027 Closed Friday 28th May 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) May Half Term Open Tuesday 8th June 2027 Closed Friday 16th July 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Summer Holidays BLACKLEY, MANCHESTER Closed Bank Holidays! Staff Training dates to be confirmed Open Monday 5th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd Febuary 2026 Close Thursday 2nd April 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Easter Holiday Open Monday 20th April 2026 Close Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) May Half Term Open Monday 1st June 2026 Close Friday 17th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Monday 7th September 2026 MIDDLETON, GREATER MANCHESTER Closed Bank Holidays! Staff Training dates to be confirmed Open Monday 5th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd Febuary 2026 Close Thursday 2nd April 2026 for Funded sessions (at the end of this afternoon session) Close Friday 3rd April 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Easter Holiday Open Monday 20th April 2026 FOR STAFF TRAINING DAY Close Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) May Half Term Open Monday 1st June 2026 Close Friday 17th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Monday 7th September 2026

Here you'll find our ICO certificate for Ducklings Preschool. Click here to learn more. ICO Certificate DOWNLOAD OUR CERTIFICATE HERE

At Ducklings Preschool, we believe that fostering a spirit of giving and empathy from an early age is crucial. Through our fundraising efforts for both local and national charities, we teach our preschoolers the value of helping others, nurturing a community-minded approach that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Children with Cancer UK £328 Mind UK £205 Children in Need £150 Crackerjacks £91 Our Fundraising At Ducklings Preschool, we believe that fostering a spirit of giving and empathy from an early age is crucial. Through our fundraising efforts for both local and national charities, we teach our preschoolers the value of helping others, nurturing a community-minded approach that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Find our most recent fundraisers below, or find out more information on our GoFundMe page at: https://www.gofundme.com/fundraisers ! Ducklings Preschool has successfully raised £450 for Macmillan Cancer Support! Macmillan Cancer Support Learn More Here Ducklings Preschool has successfully raised £150 for Children in Need! Children In Need Learn More Here We're so proud to announce that Ducklings Preschool has raised £328 for Children with Cancer UK Children with Cancer UK Learn More Here Ducklings Preschool has successfully raised £205 combined for both Mind Manchester and Mind Milton Keynes! Mind UK Learn More Here We've raised £91 for the children's trust Crackerjacks, focused on supporting children that are differently able! Crackerjacks Children's Trust Learn More Here We've raised a fantastic combined £122 for BBC Children in Need in 2025! Thank you so much for your donations! Children In Need Learn More Here

Helpful tips, routines, and advice to make home learning simple, fun, and stress-free for parents of preschoolers. Parent & Carer Support Our related blog articles on Parent & Carer Support can be read by clicking on the titles below; Toilet Training Information Toilet Training Sticker/Stamp Printable Guide How to Potty Train Your Child, from Start to Finish Safer Sleep Poster Teach your Toddler How to Sleep Alone in their Bed Bedwetting in Children - Reasons and how to prevent it Teeth Brushing Help and Free Resources Car Safety for Preschoolers: An in-depth Guide Healthy Lunchbox Recipes Healthy Bites: Nutrition Tips for Preschool Snack Time Child Food Safety Limiting Screen Time: Promoting Healthy Tech Use in Kids Internet Safety for Children Unique Healthy Recipes for Preschoolers to Try! Changing Your Child's Fussy Eating Habits Picky Eater Solutions: Healthy Toddler Meal Ideas Bedtime Stories are a must-have night routine. Here's why! How to Help Your Child Prepare for a New Sibling Speaking 'Baby Talk' to infants isn't just cute; it could help them learn! Labour Hospital Bag Checklist Breastfeeding Positions Cost of Living Support Cost of Living Crisis: Fun things to do - that don't cost the Earth! Ducklings Mental Health Awareness Campaign Strategies for Balancing Work and Parenting Parental Anxiety, what is it? Strategies for Balancing Work and Parenting Managing Toddler Tantrums: Strategies for Calm and Connection Sending My First Child to Preschool for the First Time: A Parent's Guide Help! Does My Child Have Anxiety? Navigating Mental Struggles: What parents should do if they Feel Suicidal Taking a Well-Deserved Mental Health Break as a Parent Guiding the Grief: Suicide Bereavement Support Training for Early Years Best Start in Life: GOV.UK The UK Government have a fantastic online database, called Best Start in Life. This online database helps parents from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school. You can get advice and support for your child's development here. They offer a search bar, so you can check for family support in your local area, to you can find and access maternity and family support services and resources. C lick here to access the website directly. Confidential Family Support & Bullying Helpline: Family Lives Family Lives offers a confidential and free helpline service for families in England and Wales. They offer emotional support, information, advice and guidance on any aspect of parenting and family life. All calls, emails and chats are confidential - and they will only break confidentiality if there is a life-threatening situation, or a child or adult is felt to be at risk of significant harm. For more information, click here. Call Family Lives for free on 0808 800 2222. Parents Helpline: Mental Health: Youngminds YOUNGMINDS offer tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. You can speak via phone, or chat to them online. It's free and confidential, and available across the entire UK. Click here to access their website directly. Call their Parents Helpline for free on 0808 802 5544 Single Parent Support : Gingerbread Gingerbread is a charity that supports single parents, fighting to create a world where all single parents and their children thrive. They provide advice on benefits, bereavement, childcare, child maintenance, cost of living, disability, domestic abuse, housing, legal help, LGBTQ+ single parenting, new relationships, parental responsibility, separation, and so much more. They offer support through local groups, an online community and expert advice via their website. Click here to find out more information. Early Years whole-family support : Action for Children Action for Children understands that every parent needs a little help from time to time. They're on hand, in communities and online. They offer parenting programmes, designed to help parents and children bond, learn, and overcome difficulties. If you need some down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust, use their Parent Talk programme; it's all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarassing. Click here for more information regarding their support and parenting programmes. Visit their website to use their live webchat, or to leave a message via Whatsapp. Early Words Matter for families: National Literacy Trust If you are concerned about your child's reading and communication skills, the National Literacy Trust has some fantastic free resources. Parents play a vital role in supporting their children's literacy at home, and with 185,000 5 year olds starting school without the literacy, communication, and language skills needed to thrive in 2023, the National Literacy Trust are dedicated to changing this for the better. Click here for more information regarding their FREE Little Moments Together Cards. Call their Helpline at 020 7587 1842 Early Years Resources to use : NSPCC Learning: A set of resources to help parents interact with their child, boosting child development and setting up positive behaviour as their child grows. Handling Babies with Care: NSPCC Learning Advice on positive ways to hold and care for your baby, and reduce the dangers of rough handling. Emotional abuse and emotional neglect in preschool children : NSPCC Learning Advice on positive ways to hold and care for your baby, and reduce the dangers of rough handling. Talk PANTS: NSPCC Learning Activities and resources to teach children aged 3 to 5 the underwear rule, to help keep them safe from abuse.

Here you'll find our Term Dates for all our sites. Please download and print off this page, so you have a record to hand. Our Term Dates Please scroll to your appropriate setting to find the correct term dates for your preschool. Milton Keynes, Manchester (Blackley), and Rochdale (Middleton). MILTON KEYNES We are closed on bank holidays Close Friday 19th December 2025 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Christmas Holidays Open Tuesday 6th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd February 2026 Close Friday 27th March 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Easter Holiday Open Monday 13th April 2026 Closed Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) May Half Term Open Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Closed Thursday 16th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Thursday 3rd September 2026 Closed Friday 23rd October 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) October Half Term Open Monday 2nd November 2026 Closed Thursday 17th December 2026 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Christmas Holidays Open Tuesday 5th January 2027 Closed Friday 12th February 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) February Half Term Open Monday 22nd February 2027 Closed Thursday 25th March 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Easter Holidays Open Monday 12th April 2027 Closed Friday 28th May 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) May Half Term Open Tuesday 8th June 2027 Closed Friday 16th July 2027 (at the end of this afternoon's session) Summer Holidays BLACKLEY, MANCHESTER We are closed on bank holidays Open Monday 5th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd February 2026 Close Thursday 2nd April 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Easter Holiday Open Monday 20th April 2026 Close Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) May Half Term Open Monday 1st June 2026 Close Friday 17th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Monday 7th September 2026 MIDDLETON, GREATER MANCHESTER We are closed on bank holidays. Private paying: Open Friday 2nd January 2026 Funded: Open Monday 5th January 2026 Close Friday 13th February 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Half Term Open Monday 23rd February 2026 Funded: Close Thursday 2nd April 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Private paying: Close Friday 3rd April 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Easter Holiday CLOSED: 20th April is a staff training day, so we're closed to all Open Tuesday 21st April 2026 Close Friday 22nd May 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) May Half Term Open Monday 1st June 2026 Close Friday 17th July 2026 (at the end of this afternoon session) Summer Holidays 2026 Open Monday 7th September 2026

Here you'll find an explanation and breakdown of our collaborative work with the ethnic minority achievement team at milton keynes city council - EMA team. Ethnic Minority Achievement What is EMA? Ducklings is proud to be working collaboratively with the Milton Keynes City Council EMA team to help provide enriching early childhood education and support for the thriving diverse communities around us! EMA, which stands for ethnic minority achievement, are experienced in supporting pupils of black and minority ethnic heritage (BME), INCLUDING English as an additional language (EAL), who are newly arrived, asylum seekers or refugees, as well as pupils of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller origin. What does the EMA team do? The EMA team are the experts for settings and schools, and draw in the expertise of multiple providers in addressing their needs. The team interprets and shares local and national initiatives which are aimed at closing attainment gaps. The EMA offer a traded service to schools and settings. For information about services and costs, email the EMA Network . By becoming a part of the traded service, you will automatically have access to the secure section on the EMA webpage. What areas do the EMA focus on? Their areas of focus are: Ethnic Minority Achievement Cultural awareness New arrival induction English as an additional language (EAL) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Early Years support EAL and SEN EY Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Supplementary schools Refugees and asylum-seekers If you'd like to contact EMA directly to see how they can help, please feel free to email them directly at ema@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Here you'll find an explanation and breakdown of the latest EYFS reform, and what it means for our curriculum at Ducklings Preschool. EYFS Reform Information What is the EYFS? The EYFS is the statutory Early Years curriculum. This is mandatory for all schools, settings and childminders to follow from birth up to the end of the reception. The EYFS sets out our legal obligations regarding things like adult-child ratios, suitable people, safeguarding and welfare, staff qualifications, and learning and development. More information about our specific curriculum can be found by clicking here . How are the Educational Programmes in EYFS broken down? These are divided into 7 areas of learning. The ‘Prime’ areas form the basis for all learning, and the ‘Specific’ areas build on those skills and broaden children’s understanding, experiences and knowledge. In the nursery, we always focus on the Prime areas in the first instance as they really do form the foundation for everything else. The 'Prime Areas' include 1. Personal, Social, Emotional Development 2. Communication and Language 3. Physical Development The 'Specific Areas' include 1. Literacy 2. Mathematics 3. Understanding the World 4. Expressive Arts and Design Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework For additional information regarding EYFS, please use the Government website https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

Here you'll find our Curriculum, along with our Interests & Events Information sheets. These are completed at home by you, about your child, to keep us fully informed on their passions and interests. Ducklings Curriculum The aim of our curriculum is to equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to explore and understand the world around them. The curriculum is based on the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and contains all 7 areas of learning. These are broken down below into the prime and specific areas. We believe that children grow and develop when they have access to a well-thought-out learning environment and engaged adults. The teaching and learning of new skills and knowledge are delivered through both adult and child-led opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. We focus on the importance of knowledge and skills that will support children in every way possible so that they can make the most of opportunities and fulfil their potential, along with promoting their independence. What are the 7 areas of learning in the EYFS? The areas of learning are: Prime Areas: -Communication and language -Personal, social and emotional development - Physical development Specific areas: - Literacy - Mathematics - Understanding the world - Expressive arts and design What are the ratios of staff to children at Ducklings Preschool? We always following the correct childcare ratio’s set out by Ofsted: Under 2 year olds – 1:3 staff to child ratio 2 year olds – 1:5 staff to child ratio 3 years and above – 1:8 or 1:13* *The 1:13 ratio applies only when a person with Qualified Teacher Status, Early Years Professional Status, Early Years Teacher Status, or another approved qualification is working directly with the children.

Log into your Class Dojo account here, to get daily updates on your child's recent achievements, memories made, and updates on activities and events taking place at Ducklings Preschool! Class Dojo CLICK HERE TO LOGIN

Complete this form to request a change in your current Ducklings attendance; whether that be to increase, decrease, switch, or provide notice of leave. Child Change of Attendance At Ducklings, we aim to provide the best care and education for your child. To ensure we can maintain our high standards and adequately prepare for any changes, we kindly ask that parents request any changes to attendance as early as possible. Please complete the form below if you wish to change your current attendance (adding, reducing, switching etc.). Please note this form is a request to change, not a confirmation of change - we will be in touch directly to confirm any changes with you. Regarding your notice to leave Ducklings, as stated in our contract, we require a 12-week notice period. We require this notice period to help us plan and allocate funding and staffing appropriately. Notice periods must be given and completed within term-time operating weeks. We understand that circumstances can change unexpectedly, and we will do our best to accommodate any needs within the constraints of our operational requirements. Please fill out the form below, and we will confirm any changes/receipts as soon as we can. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your Full Name* Your Childs Full Name* Today's Date* Day Month Month Year Email* Phone Number * Which Ducklings location do you currently attend? Choose your site here... What change of attendance would you like to occur?* Increase in attendance Decrease in attendance Change in attendance Notice of leaving Ducklings If you are providing your notice to leave, please state your final day of attendance below Please specific here which changes would you like. For example: 'I would like Teddy to attend a Tuesday now too', 'Please remove my Friday afternoon session', 'I would like to switch my Monday attendance to a Wednesday' etc. * Will you be paying or using funding entitlements to fund the change in attendance? By ticking here and submitting this form you accept that this form is simply a request of change. We will be in touch directly with you to confirm any changes . Submit

Here you'll find our Operation Encompass Policy for Ducklings Preschool. Click here to learn more. Operation Encompass In every force. In every school. For every child Ducklings is part of Operation Encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and the police forces. Operational Encompass is the reporting to schools, before the start of the next school day when a child has experienced domestic abuse. As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff (designated safeguarding lead) known as a key adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the child/ren in our care. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right. We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved. DOWNLOAD OUR POSTER HERE

Here you'll find out accessibility statement for our website. Ducklings Limited (Ducklings preschool and nursery) is committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability. We aim to adhere as closely as possible to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0, Level AA), published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines explain how to make Web content more accessible for people with disabilities. Conformance with these guidelines will help make the web more user friendly to everyone. Whilst Ducklings strive to adhere to the guidelines and standards for accessibility, it is not always possible to do so in all areas of the website and we are currently working to achieve this. Be aware that due to the dynamic nature of the website, minor issues may occasionally occur as it is updated regularly. We are continually seeking out solutions that will bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If you have any comments and or suggestions relating to improving the accessibility of our site, please don't hesitate to contact our website coordinator Charlotte Walters by email at charlottew0115@gmail.com . Your feedback will help us make improvements. Contact Us

Welcome to Ducklings Preschool, read our FAQ's commonly asked questions to prepare for your first day at preschool here! what should my child wear to preschool what does my child need to bring to preschool my child is staying for lunch, what will they need what about toilet training for preschool do you get a parents evening at preschool how often does my child play outside while at preschool what are the ratios of staff to children at preschool Preparing for your first day! We look forward to starting this journey with you and your child! We hope the information below will help answer any of the questions you may have! If not, feel free to pop us a message at 07476 079904 . Commonly Asked Questions What should my child wear to preschool? Although uniform is not compulsory, it is recommended. Our uniform can be found by clicking here . Our uniform consists of: a polo shirt, a jumper, bags, and a summer hat. To purchase yours, please contact the manager at your Ducklings site. If you do not wish to purchase a uniform, please ensure your child is dressed in clothing that you do not mind getting dirty, due to the messy nature of preschool. Please also ensure their clothing is comfortable and easy to pull up/down to make toileting easier. What does my child need to bring to preschool? All children are asked to provide a pair of Wellington boots for use at preschool, and, as children have access to the outdoors on a daily basis, they will need a coat and a summer sun hat, which are appropriate for the weather every day. Children should also bring a bag containing a change of clothes. All items must be clearly named. If your child attends full days, or afternoon sessions, please bring a lunchbox too. My child is staying for lunch, what will they need? Children who stay for lunch will need to bring their own packed lunch and drink. We encourage parents to provide a healthy lunch, meaning sweets/chocolate and fizzy drinks are not permitted. Click here to see our recommended lunchbox recipes. We are also a NUT and APPLE-free preschool and would remind parents to refrain from including any products which contain these ingredients in their child’s lunchbox. We cannot reheat any food items either for lunch, so if you wish for your child to have a warm lunch, please place this into a flask at home. How do I notify preschool that my child is poorly and not coming in today? If your child is unwell and will not be attending preschool, please call your child’s preschool each morning that your child is due to attend. Please note that sessions that are not attended will still be charged for, as agreed in our contract. What about toilet training? Children do not need to be toilet-trained to attend preschool. We ask you to provide us with a bag containing nappies, wipes, nappy sacks and a change of clothes so that we can attend to your child throughout the day. We are also happy to work with you during toilet training. Please provide us with plenty of clothes and an extra pair of shoes in case of accidents. Check out our blog page , and search toilet training, to find some free downloadable resources you can use to support toilet training whilst at home too. What do you provide at snack time? At Ducklings preschools, we provide a nutritious and healthy morning and afternoon snack for the children. The snack consists of a carbohydrate, fruit and/or vegetables, along with a choice of milk and water. We use this time to introduce new and unusual flavours and also promote independence through self-service. We ask for a contribution of £76 per academic year (which works out to £2 per week) to cover drinks/snacks/fresh fruit/cooking ingredients, etc. This is to be paid in cash. What will my child learn whilst at Ducklings Preschool? We follow the exact same Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum as schools! We also follow a more child-centred ethos compared to a school’s preschool. We follow your child’s interests and needs while learning to increase their engagement and interest! For more information about our curriculum, please click here . What can I do to further my childs education whilst at Home? At Ducklings Preschool, we love supporting learning both in the classroom and at home! Our website features over 200 blog articles packed with advice, ideas, and activity suggestions covering almost every topic imaginable — from creative crafts and outdoor play to early literacy and numeracy fun. We also have our Learning at Home Hub , an entire section on our website dedicated to free downloadable resources that you can print, share, and use at home. These resources are neatly organised into helpful categories: Reading & Literacy, Arts & Creativity, STEM & Exploration, Early Maths & Problem Solving, Gardening & Nature, Cooking & Food Fun, Music & Movement, Communication & Language, Wellbeing & Mindfulness, Parent & Carer Support. Making it easy to find exactly what you need to keep little learners inspired and engaged. How can I stay up-to-date with everything my child does at Ducklings? Fantastic question! You can stay up to date with everything that happens at Ducklings Preschool via multiple platforms! The majority of your updates will either come from direct communication on pick-ups or via a platform called Class Dojo. Class Dojo is a private app where we post important learning moments, event reminders, messages and photos for you. To access Class Dojo, click here . We also have Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest and TikTok, so make sure you follow these for frequent updates too!

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Welcome to Ducklings Staff Resources. Click here to learn more about the staff roles and responsibilities used. Log In Staff Roles & Responsibilities To continue to view all of our staff roles & responsibilities used, please click on the arrow here Next

Here at Ducklings Preschool and Nursery, we're here to help however we can. If you have any questions, please get in touch here. Contact us & Book your visit here! Your Name Your Child's Name Email Phone Number Child's Date of Birth (Date/Month/Year) How can we help? Which Ducklings location are you enquiring about? * Bradwell Village Bow Brickhill Emerson Valley Furzton Monkston Park Monkston St. Barts Oldbrook Shenley Brook End Shenley Lodge Tattenhoe Park Westcroft Blackley - Manchester Middleton - Manchester I agree to the terms & conditions Thanks for submitting, we will be in touch shortly! Submit

Welcome to Ducklings Staff Training Resources. Click here to learn more. Log In Staff Training Resources Welcome to our Staff Training Platform! To continue to view all of these resources, please click here Next Training: English as an additional language. Training: Communication and language Training: Positive Behaviour Training: Behaviour management pyramid training physical development personal, social, emotional development EYFS curriculum quality of education training Curriculum planning training Mathematics governeny gov resources for staff training expressive arts and design government gov resources and training understanding the world gov government resources and training early years leadership national professional qualification EYFS development Matters Statements all ages Birth to Five training

Ducklings Blackley, Rochdale Road, Manchester. Registered for infants to 5 years, flexible and funded hours, open all year round. Monday to Friday. Ducklings Preschool and Nursery, Manchester, Rochdale Road, Blackley. 30 hour Government funded sessions 30 hour free childcare Blackley, Manchester Site Phone: 0161 202 3360 Head Office: 07476 079904 Manager Name: Stacey Address: 1027 Rochdale Road. Blackley, Manchester, M9 8AJ Email: ducklingsblackley@gmail.com Click here to book a visit Click here to leave feedback Click here to change attendance Our Story An Early Years Celebration 2025 Award Winner provided by the Manchester City Council! We provide care and education for children aged from infant to 5 years. We also offer flexible hours, government-funded sessions, and paid sessions provided by highly qualified staff. We're open all year round , and we offer breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and summer camps! Our core hours of operation are from 9 am to 3 pm . We offer breakfast clubs from 8 am to 9 am, and our afterschool club runs from 3 pm-5 pm. For parents that require further extended days, we offer wrap-around care from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm. We're proud to announced we have recently been awarded Good by Ofsted! Interested in joining? Give us a call today! Memories made so far at Ducklings Our Classrooms Our Baby Room Ducklings Blackley Preschool and Nursery baby room Our Baby Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Baby Room - Ducklings Preschool Our Baby Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Baby Room - Ducklings Preschool Our Baby Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Ducklings Blackley Preschool and Nursery baby room Our Baby Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. 1/4 Our Toddler/Preschool Room Blackley Toddler Room - Ducklings Preschool Our Preschool Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Ducklings Blackley Preschool Room Our Preschool Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Toddler Room - Ducklings Preschool Our Preschool Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Toddler Room - Ducklings Preschool Our Preschool Room based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. 1/12 Our Gardens Blackley Back Garden Ducklings Preschool and Nursery Blackley Manchester Our Outdoor Classroom areas based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Back Garden Our Outdoor Classroom areas based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Front Garden Our Outdoor Classroom areas based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. Blackley Back Garden Ducklings Preschool and Nursery Blackley Manchester Our Outdoor Classroom areas based inside Ducklings Preschool and Nursery in Blackley, Manchester. 1/19 Click here to book a visit today! Blackley Testimonial Blackley Testimonial Blackley Testimonial Blackley Testimonial 1/14 Our Team Stacey M. Stacey G. Victoria Leanne Jackie Stacey M. Katie Stephanie Abby Manager & Designated Safeguarding lead* * During our out-of-hours, Ducklings designated safeguarding overall lead, Kirsty, can be contacted at ducklingsmcr@gmail.com or 0161 653 0124 . Deputy

Explore the outdoors and help teach the future generation to become more environmentally aware, through the use of simple gardening activities, nature hunts, and hands-on learning ideas to help preschoolers discover the natural world. Outdoors, Gardening & Nature Ducklings Gardeners projects engage all sorts of senses and help children to develop and recognise them without even realising. Being exposed to new textures like soil, flowers, seeds, and petals, these hands-on experiences are learning opportunities that also increase their environmental awareness and teach nutrition by connecting growing food with the importance of a good diet. We aim to teach our children and the future generation to be environmentally aware. Our related blog articles on gardening can be read by clicking on the titles below; Nature-Friendly Gardening for Preschool Children in Milton Keynes The Importance of Outdoor Play in Preschool Development Helping Your Child overcome fear of insects How to apply for the Blue Peter Green Badge Nature Walk Scavenger Hunts 30 Days Wild - Gardening Activities for Preschoolers Growing Together - Preschool Gardening 8 At-Home Activities that are great for replacing screen time Nature's Classroom: The Benefits of Outdoor Learning for Preschoolers Helping Your Child Overcome Their Fear of Insects 5 Things to do on a nature walk with kids How to teach your child the importance of giving back National Endangered Species Day: Children and Wildlife Stuck in the Mud - Gardening with Early Years Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). 8 Fun Crafts To Do This Autumn Article: Ducklings Allotment visits Some of our Ducklings likes to visit the community allotment at Shenley Brook End. Not only do the children love to be outdoors and see all the nature, they also love getting their hands muddy helping out in growing the fruits and vegetables, and they love the storytimes there. If you'd love to see some Ducklings Staff reading popular stories at the allotment click here. Project: Build a Bug House Building a bug house only requires an open-fronted box – the rest is found in your garden already! Twigs, pine cones, stones, broken pots, cardboard toilet rolls, drilled pieces of wood, dried grass, old bricks, the options are endless, and will help attract ladybirds, butterflies, woodlice, solitary bees, dragon flys, and if you're lucky, the occasional toad, mouse, or hedgehog! Project: Build a pond in a pot Building a pond in a pot is super simple and requires little effort to maintain if done correctly! Get a large, shallow container with no drainage holes, and add a selection of pond and marginal plants, plus an oxygenator to help keep the water clear and odourless. Once set up, move the pond pot in a slightly shaded area, avoid full sunlight, and top up with water whenever needed. There pot ponds will help attract birds, insects, and other forms of wildlife, while also being a ton of fun to build for kids who love getting wet and muddy. For complete instructions click here. Project: Make Fat Cakes for birds Birds love fat cakes, as they give them energy and help keep them warm. and these feeding balls don't need to be shop bought; you can use all sorts of kitchen scraps such as cheese, dried fruits, and dry porridge oats. Just mix with melted lard or suet in old yogurt containers with a string, and set in the fridge overnight. For more instructions click here. Project: Make a Bee Hotel Offer solitary bees five-star accommodation with an easy-to-make bee hotel! Use anything for the frame - an wooden box or an old bird house for example, so uncycle it to become a home for solitary bees which help pollinate local plants! Full the frame with brown paper, pencils, bamboo canes, plant stems, drilled pieces of hardwood or logs, and let the bees move in! For more instructions, click here. Project: Make a Bird Bath Birds need water for many more reasons than just hydration. In the winter, birds will bathe to clean their feathers so they can fly further, and in the summer, birds will use water to help cool themselves down. All you need is a terracotta pot and saucer, and all-purpose glue and you're good to go! Simply flip the pot upside down, and glue the saucer on top of it (like in the photo below). Add in some rocks for small birds to land on, and top up with water whenever required! For more ideas click here . Activity: Nature Walk Scavenger Hunts Print off this scavenger hunt checklist, and go on a nature walk with your child and see which items they can explore and find themselves! Activity: What I See Outside Flashcards Learning doesn't just happen at school, why not print off these flashcards and use them at home to further learn about the environment and nature! Download them here Activity: Animals around me Flashcards Learning doesn't just happen at school, why not print off these flashcards and use them at home to further learn about the environment and nature! Download them here Project: Eco-warriors Scheme "Eco-Warriors is an environmental scheme designed to encourage MK schools, staff and children to recycle more and raise awareness of environmental issues, such as reducing single-use plastics and water consumption." Find out more information here Teacher Guide A3 Pledge Poster Eco-warrior Hero Eco-warrior Champion Activity: Earth Day Kids Craft Earth Day is right around the corner, so on the 22nd of April let's show our support for environmental protection at Home! The MK Council Recycling have created an 'eco promise wreath' craft sheet for children of all ages. Find this and more eco-friendly activities on both this Ducklings Gardeners page, and the MK Council website: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/kidsrecycle Article: The Benefits of Gardening for Kids Great article discussing the importance and benefits found through gardening. Give it a read here: click here.

Welcome to Ducklings Staff Ofsted Preparation Resources Log In Staff Request Time Off Looking to book time off work? Complete this online form as soon as possible Click here to continue to our request time off form Next DfE announces further changes to EYFS requirements, EYFS changes , Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage effective , youtube webinar: early years curriculum, ofsted the big question , ready for inspection training , prepare for your ofsted inspection, ready for inspection , ofsted activities list, ofsted pre-inspection self assessment, ofsted research the best start in life, presentation training on the 3 I's and the curriculum, guidance for a simulation of an ofsted inspection, guidance on completing concern incident form, twinkl Ofsted questions for early years, twinkl ofsted learning walks in early years, ducklings fact sheet , ready for inspection training notes , worried about a child? signs safeguarding , safeguarding poster booklet, staff training matrix , training tick off sheet, safeguarding communication chronology , safeguarding tracker date checklist , concern form , child protection contact sheet , safeguarding flow chart with prevent FGM , checklist summary for safeguarding reports , ducklings fact sheet , ofsted inspection , questions they may ask the team , set of common questions ofsted , ofsted inspection covers the following children , ofsted framework for inspections , questions ofsted may ask , what are the 3 I's intent, implementation, impact , the outstanding ofsted experts , ofsted check reflective practices , equality and diversity.

Welcome to Ducklings Staff Classroom Materials, such as paperwork, posters, flashcards and more. Log In Classroom Materials Welcome to our classroom materials and other resources! To continue to view all of our classroom themed materials resources please click here Next mud kitchen recipies, autumn worksheets and activities, autumn flashcards, posters, handprint painting, vehicle & transportation flashcards, things in space, body parts, tracing numbers, fruit and vegetable flashcards, colourful shape flashcards, profession flashcards, days of the week flashcards, marine animal flashcards, farm animal flashcards, bee themed worksheets, nature scavenger hunt, graduation bundle, monster themed body parts, nature buddies, teeth brushing , tooth brushing, animals , matching cards, Christmas, hannukah , healthy movers , letters to santa, winter activities etc. Diwali, Diwali celebrations, Diwali activities sun safety poster

Support emotional development with mindfulness exercises, yoga, and calm-down activities suitable for preschoolers. Wellbeing & Mindfulness Our related blog articles on Wellbeing & Mindfulness can be read by clicking on the titles below; Parental Anxiety, what is it? Worried about your child's Well-being? Your Child's Wellbeing - How to handle Stress Does Your Child Have Problems Sleeping at Night? Mindfulness and Meditation for Preschoolers: Cultivating Calm Managing Toddler Tantrums: Strategies for Calm and Connection Navigating Mental Struggles: What Parents Should Do if They Feel Suicidal or in Distress How to Help Your Child Prepare for a New Sibling Every Mind Matters - Mental Health How to Create a Sensory-Friendly Classroom Engaging Activities for Children with Autism Taking a Well-Deserved Mental Health Break As A Parent Disability and Sports: Activities for disabled and SEN children Outdoor Play Benefits: Enhancing Child Development Healthy Bites: Nutrition Tips for Preschool Snack Time Limiting Screen Time: Promoting Healthy Tech Use in Kids Social Play for Toddlers: The Benefits of Playdates How to keep your baby safe in the sun These and hundreds more blog articles can be found simply by clicking here! Book: The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson This book explains how young children's brains develop and how mindfulness can support emotional regulation. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Bryson explain the new science of how a child's brain is wired and how it matures, offering 12 revolutionary strategies you can use. Scoring a 4.7/5 stars - definitely Book: Calm Parents, Happy Kids by Dr. Laura Markham This book teaches emotional coaching and connection-based discipline. In this book, Dr Markham introcues an approach to parenting that eliminates threats, power struggles and manipulation, in favour of setting limits with empathy and communication. YouTube Resources Cosmic Kids Yoga - Free yoga, mindfulness, relaxation for kids! She has over 500 videos and 1.88 million subscribers. GoNoodle / Get Moving - Let's Unwind Meditation For Kids HeadSpace - Helping Kids Focus - Mindfulness for Kids and Families APPS for Parents to Download Insight Timer - Free guided meditations for adults and families to use. Headspace - Includes a 'mindful parenting' collection. Headspace is your lifelong guide to better mental health, through evidence-based meditation and mindfulness tools, sleep resources, mental health coaching and more. Happier Meditation - Personalised meditation & mindfulness, designed to help users build a regular practice. It offers a free tier and a paid subscription that gives access to all features, including guided meditations, talks and coaches with the goal of reducing stress and anxiety. Moshi - An award-winning app for kids, with hundreds of hours of bedtime stories, sleep sounds, educational activities, songs, white noise and more!

Order your child's Ducklings Preschool and Nursery uniform here easily - including polo shirts, jumpers, summer hats, bookbags, and draw string bags. Uniform Orders Order your child's uniform here! Although uniform is NOT required at Ducklings, lots of our parents prefer sending their child to nursery and preschool in uniform as: it helps save their other clothes from getting stained, provides a sense of belonging and pride, and helps get little ones ready for primary school (where uniform is required). To order yours, simply print out the attached uniform order sheet, tick the items you would like to order, and hand it to your school manager! Items you can order! Navy Jumper £13 Navy Jumper £13 Red Jumper £13 Red Jumper £13 Navy Polo £11 Navy Polo £11 Red Polo £11 Red Polo £11 Red Summer cap £6 Red Summer cap £6 Blue Book Bag £7 Blue Book Bag £7 Blue Draw String Bag £6 Blue Draw String Bag £6 Click here to print off our uniform order form!