Smarties

Hello from  Smarties

Smarties is a 3 and 4 year old setting which is attached to Mount Street Nursery and Infant school and follows the same term dates.

Setting Leader:

Mrs J Edwards

Setting Assistant:

Miss E Stephens

Mrs K Griffiths

Mrs E Bujok

Miss C Lloyd

Mr B Kenchington

Miss A Holroyd

Educational Setting Times:

  • Morning: 9:00 am until 11:00 am
  • Afternoon: 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm

What do we provide?

Smarties provides Foundation Phase  Education and Childcare hours for 3 and 4 year olds in a stimulating and nurturing environment.

The setting is run by experienced members of staff who are both enthusiastic, caring and approachable.

We pride ourselves on the provision we are able to offer, which includes a dedicated 3 and 4 year old outdoor area, a community garden, large playing field, outdoor apparatus, and an on-site Forest School.

We offer 10 hours funded Foundation Phase Education hours per week for   children aged 3 and 4 years. In addition, we offer wrap around  childcare.

Our vision

‘Smarties children are compassionately inclusive, resilient and are sprinkled with laughter and smiles’

Our aims and objectives

  • Encourage children to develop social skills, confidence, self-esteem and independence.
  • Create a relaxed atmosphere in which children can learn whilst playing and communicating together.
  • Develop language and numeracy skills by talking with children and encouraging them to participate in group activities.
  • Provide children with opportunities to hear and use Welsh in the setting.
  • Treat the children with care, warmth and respect.
  • Support all children so that they develop to their full potential.
  • Give all children equal opportunities regardless of race, colour, religion, nationality, special needs or social background.
  • Prepare the children through play activities for their time in school.
  • Work in partnership with you as parents to promote these aims.

Please click here to view our CIW Smarties Inspection Report November 2022.

When can my child start attending Smarties?

Children can access the Foundation Phase Education and childcare from the term after their 3rd birthday until they enter full time Education

What does my child need to bring with them?

Your child will need an outdoor coat and a pair wellies with them as we love to go outside. Smarties do have a sweatshirt available – please see the setting leader for full details.

What does my child do whilst they are at Smarties?

Adult led activities may include:

  • focused physical activities;
  • music, singing, and rhymes;
  • specific craft activities;
  • gardening and outdoor investigations;
  • playing structured games;
  • forest school;
  • cooking;
  • Stories;
  • ICT.

Child led activities may include:

  • building with construction toys;
  • role play and small world play;
  • explorative art & craft activities;
  • water play and sand play;
  • outdoor activities;
  • mark making activities;
  • physical play.

Please click on this link to download our statement of purpose and prospectus –Statement of purpose 2023

Our policies and procedures can be found by clicking here.

Breakfast Club

Mount Street Infant School runs a Breakfast Club from 8.00am – 9.00am which Smarties children are welcome to join. The cost is £3 per child per day. The children are taken to Smarties by a member of staff. Payment is made via ParentPay.

School Dinners

School meals are available to children who attend Smarties and costs £3.45 per day. This is paid using ParentPay, our cashless online payment system. For all the details about school meals please click here.

The Childcare Offer for Wales

We are an approved provider for the Childcare Offer for Wales – an initiative that will provide working  parents up to 30 hours free child care. The 30 hours childcare is a combination of Foundation Phase Nursery (10 hours) and childcare (up to 20 hours). For  full please click here. Parents apply for this offer, not the setting.

How to apply for a place

Please find below the information booklet for parents and the application form for the Foundation Phase Educational Hours

All admissions must be approved by Powys County Council and they will allocate your child a place. The admission forms are available from school or alternatively they are also on the Powys County Council website – Apply for a place

For child care please contact the setting leader Miss Jo Evans to discuss your requirements or email smartiesmsi@mountstreeti.powys.sch.uk

2023-2024 Opening Times

Please note we are open term time only

Breakfast Club:  8.00am – 9.00am (Please note children must be here before 8.25am)

Smarties is open from 9.00am – 3.30pm.

Foundation Phase Education Sessions:

9.00am – 11.00am / 1.00pm – 3.00pm

2023-2024 Rates

Foundation Phase Education sessions: FREE

Childcare hourly rate: £5.00

3.00-3.30pm rate: £2.50

Breakfast Club: £3 per day

Please read the Fees and conditions of payment. All parents/guardians are required to sign a contract for child care hours. All fees are non-refundable

Class Schoops