Why Should I Enrol My Five-Year-Old in a Pre-Prep Online School?
Curious minds start in the earliest years!
We’re constantly surprised and delighted by the very youngest children at Cambridge Home School Online, with students in our current student body ranging from five-year-olds upwards. We recently caught up with our wonderful Head of Prep School, Mrs Roberts, to find out more about why enrolling the very youngest children in our Pre-Prep is such a valuable and recommended pursuit, and what a parent can expect from our Pre-Prep.
Firstly, what is a Pre-Prep?
It is an independent school, educating children until the age of 7, before they then move onto our Prep School in Year 3. Our child-centred approach prepares young learners for the demands of our Prep School Curriculum so that they are ready with the stamina to learn and the attitudes required to achieve their potential in our unique online setting.
Mrs Brusse explains more…
Why not choose my local primary school?
There a several differences and benefits to enrolling your child with us at CHS. Firstly, as an independent school, we are able to adapt and individualise the curriculum to suit the needs of the children in front of us. We are not bound by the constraints of government testing such as the Government Phonics Screening in Year 1 or the Year 2 SATS tests. Our curriculum has the flexibility, and our teachers have the experience necessary to guide each learner on their personal journey. This could vary from year to year or child to child.
Small is wonderful!
It’s important to note that another benefit of learning with us is that we keep our classes small. Research suggests that small classes are key to progress as they foster a more focused learning environment, which, in turn, allows for better engagement.
Our Pre-Prep are part of the main Prep School, joining together for assemblies, clubs and special events. This gives our younger learners some older peers to look up to- our Prep 6s love to be role models for them! Our strong links with CHS Senior School also means that we have a wealth of resources, staffing to tap into and a strong community to be part of. In short, we could offer your child a continuity of education from age 5 to 18, preparing them for university or the world of work beyond our school.
Our transition points are smooth, from Pre-Prep to Prep and from Prep to Senior due to our careful planning, collaboration and the strong staff team we have built up over the years. There is no huge step involved with moving school, catching a different bus, making new friends, navigating new corridors. Everything will already be familiar and those who have been with us since early years will always be at an advantage over those who join later as they will have had years of support, experience and guidance to fall back on.
But what about the curriculum? Can my child really learn online?
We have already proved that the answer to this is YES! Children who are inquisitive, curious about the world, have a special interest, constantly ask questions, are lively and on the move and have a zest for life are our kind of pupils! We currently have two groups with 10 children in total learning with us every day.
We will start off slowly: an input from our experienced teachers for 5 or 10 minutes to begin with. We will check on our pupil’s well-being before beginning the day. A small amount of number work, a story, a song, a movement break, some art, some exploring the world, some dancing and rhythm work. All of these areas are built into the day in short bursts to encourage stamina, focus and routine. Over time, these small sessions will increase in length so that, by the time they are 7, they are ready to join our Prep School timetable.
In our Pre Prep, we encourage parental support. We want you, as the adult who knows your child best, to be with them every step of the way. You will be able to see exactly what your child is learning, how they are being taught, how they respond, how they deal with setbacks, how they glow with pride when they do well. What a privilege it will be for you to be there for every special moment and never have to miss a thing! This is the perfect blend of home education and delivery and content provided by a qualified and experienced teacher.
How will I know if my child will enjoy it?
The best way to find out is to come to one of our Open Events: meet key staff, ask questions, encourage your child to take part in some learning activities, and we can see how we fit together. Alternatively, if you have any questions about our provision, please get in touch with Mrs Roberts, Head of Prep School or our admissions team today for a chat. We can’t wait to start your child’s journey with Cambridge Home School Online!
