Welcome to Catterick Garrison Preschool Group

Catterick Garrison Preschool Group Story

Catterick Garrison Pre-school Groups (CGPG) understand the importance of young children needing to feel safe and secure in order to learn. We provide familiarity and repeated play through a holistic environment so that play, and learning is embedded and meaningful. We share activities that use our senses and movements as well as quiet time through books, music and small group cushion time. We appreciate that happy children are happy learners. Practitioners tune into what the children are experiencing in the environment and encourage them to become motivated learners enabling them to have their own ideas

We are experienced in the knowledge that babies are born with 25% of their brain developed and by the age of 3 their brains are developed by 80% thus showing how crucial the Early Years are. We also have a number of Early Years Educators who are experienced in supporting children with SEND, working alongside parents and ‘other agencies’ to find the best methods of learning for each individual child.

The CGPG team pride themselves in understanding and supporting the transient life that some of our families experience whilst they follow paths in the Armed Forces. And we work alongside parents to make a child’s transition into preschool as smooth as possible. We also look at methods of staying in-touch with parents and extended families who aren’t always close by.

Our Programs

Outdoors - Bigger, Faster Louder

We are proud of our outdoors areas that offer opportunities to play and learn in a faster and louder environment. Children have the opportunity to see, feel and talk about seasonal changes and where possible we use natural materials to expand how we use our senses. Our leaf lasagne that is a specialised dish in the mud kitchen is second to none.

We appreciate that young children spend many hours in our settings so physical play is encouraged in each session. We support children in running, chasing, crawling, climbing, slithering and wriggling to engage those large motor skills that will develop how a child’s fine motor skills work.

Creative Learning

There is nothing our preschools like more than a good old sing-song and the tap of a tambourine. For younger children we have song props readily at hand to learn songs, rhythm, rhyming and signs to support early language. Children can access props at any time to encourage song and music throughout a session. Both indoors and outdoors children are encouraged to dance with scarfs and ribbons to support large arm movement to build up muscles in preparation for writing in later years.

Sand, water, paint, crayons, pens, dough, and creative materials are always available to bring out the artist in every child.

Imaginative Play

We are richly resourced in small world, block play and toys that can be used for imaginative or real-life play. Our Early Years Educators understand the importance of play for a developing child and they will join, or lead relevant play, throughout the day. We offer a language rich environment and use guidance from Early Excellence audits and the Preschool Alliance to enhance our practice to make play a happy and engaging experience.

Catterick Garrison Preschool Group Mission

Catterick Garrison Pre-school Groups is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable groups, and expects all employees, parents, and volunteers to share this commitment.