Our aim of the Pre-School, is to provide a warm and friendly environment, where children can experience and achieve in as much as their potential ability will allow in the six areas of learning: 1). Personal, social and emotional. 2). Language and literacy. 3). Mathematics. 4). Knowledge & understanding of the world. 5). Creative. 6). Physical. Every child is treated as an individual and the skills and qualifications of staff are utilised to achieve this. Children will make relationships with adults and children, and will learn and develop through well structured play activities These activities will include: Craft work, books in the quiet corner, drawing and painting, playdough, sand and water play, puzzles and games, play in the role play area (home corner, shop, hospital), singing and drama, computer activities, imaginative play, construction activities, nature walks in the garden. We work on a theme each week. Information on this is displayed on boards outside the Pre-School room. To establish links with home, we ask the children to bring in objects from home related to the weekly theme to show and talk about to the rest of the group. A rota for this is on the white board. Sessions. We are open 5 mornings a week and four afternoon sessions. We can take up to 36 children in a session and for this have five staff and one parent helper present each session. When numbers are over 24, we divide the group and have one group of 4 year olds to carry out extension activities in preparation for school. The times of sessions are: 9. 15 a.m. to 11. 45 a.m. Midday to 2. 30 p.m. We have been Ofsted Inspected since 1999 and so can offer free sessions for 11 weeks of the term for 3 and 4 year old children, (3 year old children are entitled to 5 free sessions a week from the term after their 3rd birthday). We have achieved a high level of Pre-School provision as detailed in the Ofsted report. We were last inspected in January 2007 and the report was excellent. Deux Chats Pre-School. Both Sue and Gina are Co-Leaders of the Pre-School, which was set up in February 1998. The name is a ‘play’ on our surnames and is French for ‘two cats’! Neither Gina nor Sue, have any French connections. In September 2003, we opened a second Deux Chats Pre-School at the Holy Trinity Church, Windsor Way, Aldershot. Gina has moved there to run the Pre-School. Staff Sue Skerratt. (Co-Leader) I am married with two daughters, who are both at school now. I have lived in Aldershot since December 1995. Before I had my children and after I left school, I trained as an Infant School teacher. I then trained as a Registered Nurse, caring for children and adults having learning disabilities. This was my career, for over ten years, working as a Community Nurse. For the next eight years I stayed at home to look after my girls. I took them to various playgroups and always enjoyed helping out. When my youngest daughter started school, it seemed natural for me to stay and work in a Pre-School setting and this is what I have been doing ever since. Gina Dawson. (Co-Leader) I have lived in Aldershot since October 1996 and have three daughters.  I have worked in Pre-School settings since 1993, where I started out as a Pre-School Assistant and gradually worked my way up to Supervisor. I have the Diploma in Pre-School Practise and have passed the N.V.Q. level 3 in Child Care & Development in 1999 & Assessor for N.V.Q.3 level.In 2006 I successfully achieved a Higher National Diploma in Education & Childcare and then went on to pass a Degree in Childcare and Education. I have always wanted to run my own Pre-School and it gives me great job satisfaction. At the moment I run the Deux Chats Pre-School at Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot. Sheridan Hirons. (Deputy) I started helping out at Deux Chats, when my son attended there and really enjoyed it. I have also two older daughters. Since my son my son started school, I have become one of the staff and have worked at Deux Chats since September 1998. I have lived in and around Aldershot for most of my life. Sheridan completed a Diploma in Pre-School Practise in July 2005. Karen Larke.  Pre-School Assistant. I am married with two children; a son and a daughter.  Both attended Deux Chats until September 2006, when my daughter started school.  I have always had an interest in childcare and have preferred to stay at home with my children when they were young.  Now that they are older and have started school, I have been given the opportunity to continue my interest in children and their development by working at Deux Chats, which I have done since April 2007.I have enjoyed being at Deux Chats and so aim to work towards gaining qualifications in childcare and education, starting with the Certificate in Pre-School Practise and in starting a new career. Part Time Staff. Caroline Mills. I am married with one daughter and two sons and have lived in Aldershot since 1987.  Before I had my children I spent 9 years serving in the WRNS as a radio Operator in the communications branch. All of my 3 children have attended Deux Chats and I have helped out in a voluntary capacity since my daughter started in 1998.  Now that my youngest child is at school, I have taken a part time position within the Pre-School.  I enjoy working with the children and helping with their progression through their early years learning. In 2007 I obtained an NVQ level 2 in Early Years Childcare.  I also help run the St Augustine’s Parent & Toddler Group on a Tuesday and I am an active member of both Belle Vue Infant School and Newport Junior School PTA. Vicky Cooper. I have lived in Aldershot all of my life and have 3 daughters and one son. Before having my youngest daughter I worked at Queen Marys Nursery for about 2 years.  Then I stayed at home until September 2008 when my daughter started school.  My daughter attended Deux Chats and I always enjoyed helping out from time to time.  Now that my daughter is at school I wish to develop my career in child care and education and so work 2 days a week at Deux Chats.