About Us

We know choosing childcare for your child is a huge decision so we want to try and answer every question that you might have so you can make sure Parley Pre School is the right place for your family.

When are we open?

We are a term time setting which means we open for similar dates to local schools. You can check out our term dates here

You can pick between a half day or full day session and we also offer breakfast club each day.

Monday to Friday
Breakfast Club – 8.15am to 9am
Half day session – 9am to 12pm
Lunch Club – 12pm to 1pm
Full day Session – 9am to 3pm

Meet our amazing team

We come with heaps of experience and lots of fun.

Rachel McDonald

Rachel McDonald

Manager

Qualified Teacher

Rachel is the manager here at Parley Pre School and loves to boast about her professional tambourine skills and will happily give you a demonstration. She believes she holds the secret to the perfect play dough recipe and likes to whip up a batch with the children to play with.

Amy Billinge

Amy Billinge

Deputy Manager

Level 3 Qualified

Amy is not only a skilled early years practitioner but she is also an amazing builder and baker.  If we ever need a shelf putting up or a carrot cake then Amy is our go to girl!  She likes to share her baking skills with the children and has baked some amazing things in the slow-cooker.

Natalie de Costa

Natalie de Costa

Practitioner

Level 2 Qualified

Natalie is our in house Vincent Van Gogh minus the beard.  Her artistic skills are out of this world and she blows our minds with her drawings.  Natalie is always up for an adventure and enjoys the outdoors going for walks and loves nothing more than rescuing a bumble bee or a butterfly in need.

Our Story

We have built a great reputation throughout the years as a nurturing, happy place for children aged 2-5 years in Ferndown, Dorset.  The Pre School started in 1963 at Longham United Reformed Church until the church was sold in 2023.  We were so lucky to be offered a new home by West Parley Parish Council and we moved in and opened in September 2023 and changed our name to Parley Community Pre School. 

We are a Charity Pre School which means we are governed by a committee.  This is made up of parents, carers and family members of the children who attend Pre School.  We are supported by our Chairperson Victoria Tanner, Treasurer Duncan Hook and secretary Theresa Doherty.  They work closely with the management team to guide and support the Pre School.

pre school child using saw

Philosophy & Pedagogy

 

When your child joins Parley Community Pre School we invite you to join our Pre School family as we embark together on your child’s initial stage in their educational journey.  We promise to care for your child in a nurturing, safe, caring environment where every child is cherished.  They will receive a stimulating environment which promotes curiosity, collaboration and kindness.  We will be champions for your child encouraging them to be independent, happy, confident individuals with a lifelong love of learning.

We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach where learning and teaching, building relationships and professional development stems from one overriding factor – the image of the child. Rather than seeing the child as an empty vessel waiting to be filled with knowledge, Reggio educators believe a child has unlimited potential who is eager to interact with and contribute to the world.  This is a child who is driven by curiosity and imagination, a capable child who delights in taking responsibility for his or her own learning, a child who listens and is listened to, a child with an enormous need to love and to be loved, a child who is valued.