Up Up and Away Preschool

Registered charity number: 1137026

About Us

Up Up and Away is a charity run preschool in the heart of the beautiful village of Great Waltham, Chelmsford.

Our spacious indoor learning environment, large, well-equipped garden and forest school ground at our neighbouring Great Waltham primary school set the scene for free-flow play and adventure alongside our friendly, experienced staff; including our early years teacher, forest school lead and SENCO.

We love to get out and about in our village with the children, and often go for walks to visit our allotment; the park; the church; the stream; the cows; the coffee shop…

Dress for Mess

We know that children love to explore, dig, splash, roll, paint, jump, giggle, play and have adventures - so that is exactly what we encourage them to do! (Warning - they WILL get messy so dress them in clothes you don’t mind them getting dirty!)

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Provision

As an experienced Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), Caitlin works closely with the children, their families and their key person to provide individualised care for each child with additional needs.

If your child has additional needs, or if you have any concerns about their development, we will collaborate with you in consulting outside agencies such as Speech and Language Therapists, Health Visitors and our area SENCO, putting a plan in place to ensure that your child is supported, their needs are met and they have everything they need in order to thrive and be fully included in our preschool.

Please go to www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk for more information on the support services and local opportunities for children with SEND.

Sessions & Fees

Term Dates

Breakfast Club

Monday - Friday

Breakfast Club includes a choice of healthy breakfast and drink and can either be booked on a regular basis or as and when you may need it.

ages 2-4 years (preschool children)
8.00-8.30am
£5 per session

Morning Session

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Play-based learning with free-flow between our indoor and outdoor environment, meaning that the children can choose where they want to be.

8.30-11.30am
£16.50 per session

‘Welly Wednesday’

An enrichment morning on our allotment for children who will be starting school in the coming academic year.
£16.50 per session

Lunch Club

Monday - Friday

11.30am - 12.30pm

Children bring their own balanced packed lunch and sit with their preschool friends to eat and chat.

£5 per session

Afternoon Session

Extras

Funding

Meet the Team

Leonie Harper - Manager

Leonie has such a warm and welcoming nature, she is always looking for opportunities to inject fun and laughter into the children’s learning.

Her positivity and sunny outlook helps the children to look for the best in each other and in situations, and her child-led approach to problem solving sets an incredible example to the children, teaching them about resilience, determination and believing in themselves.

Leonie has such strong, positive relationships with our preschool parents - they feel confident approaching her for help and advice as well as a for a laugh or hug!

“I absolutely adore my job, the children are amazing and the team are incredible. Every day is different, new sets of challenges which is what I love. The children are always so happy and are always ready to tell you what they have been doing, and always ready to give you a big hug.”

Dan Gray- Assistant Manager

Dan has a such natural way with children - the sort that can’t be taught, but is part of the very core of him! The children adore him and respond so well to his calm, steady, and consistent character. They obviously feel safe and content in his care, allowing them to explore new ideas and thrive in their learning. Dan is studying alongside his full time role for a level 5 lead practitioner diploma which will provide even greater learning experiences for the children.

Dan brings a great deal to our staff team and helps bring out the best in our children.

Kellie Dickerson

Kellie has many years of childcare experience, and is a kind, level headed and practical member of our team.

She is in her element being in the garden digging, pruning, planting, weeding and bug hunting with the children! She loves to take them for walks to explore the environment and see what the children can spot around them.

“I enjoy having access to different areas and opportunities (e.g. our allotment and garden; village walks; the park and the church) to help our little people explore, develop and grow.”

Carmella Prior

Carmella is a very experienced Early Years Practitioner who is always prepared with a creative activity for the children to take part in.

Carmella is the epitome of kindness and is in her element when leading parachute games or imaginative storytelling. There are always cheers of glee (from children and staff alike!) when Carmella arrives to join in the afternoon sessions.

There is nothing that Carmella cannot do! She arrives at work full of incredible ideas for the children that fits in with our chosen topics. Carmella is dedicated to the children’s learning and always has their full attention when she is taking part in any activity with them.

Ruth Wall

Ruth brings lots of Early Years experience to our Up Up and Away team. Her love of craft and creativity is evident in the way she works with the children, encouraging them to cut, stick, colour and mark make to their hearts content.

She quietly gets alongside the children, allowing their personalities and interests to shine through as they play together.

Caitlin Mellor-SENCO

We really hit the jackpot when Caitlin joined our team. Her kindness and sensitivity to the children are so evident, and she has got to know each of them so well already. She always has a warm smile and fun approach to learning, and she has an incredible way of adapting her approach to the needs of each individual child.

Caitlin brings a wealth of Child Development knowledge as well as a great deal of experience in working with children who have additional needs.

Rebecca Young

We have managed to gain another amazing member of staff to join our team. Becky has struck up an immediate bond with the children and they all love her (so do the staff!). Becky has a wealth of child care experience and with four children of her own she is a natural at giving the children support and encouragement in everything they do.

Laiha Harper

Laiha has joined us for one day a week as she is studying musical theatre the rest of the time. Laiha is a natural with the children and will do her upmost to give them all the time and cuddles that they need. Laiha is going to be concentrating on music and instruments in the new term, hoping to give the children the confidence and experience to understand sound and amazing things you can achieve with music.

Happy Children, Happy Parents

Connie’s mummy:

“Friendly and caring staff, great space inside and out, and such a variety of activities created for children to explore and play. Connie absolutely loves the "vellotment" session - Welly Wednesday is definitely a hit for her!”

Miles’ mummy:

“My son went from very quiet and shy to outgoing and confident, thanks to the wonderful staff and nurturing environment. Such a fantastic preschool.”

Oliver’s Mummy:

“Super preschool - so much for the kids to do! Space to run and play indoors and out in the beautiful garden. Plenty of different activities every week. Staff are friendly and so supportive. Both my children have/are attending Up Up and Away and the change in confidence is amazing! Wouldn’t go anywhere else now. My son asks to go every day, even at weekends!”

Book a visit

We welcome visits from new families, as we understand how important it is to choose the preschool that will be the best fit for your child and your family. We recommend visiting to enable you to look around at the learning environment (both inside and out); chat with the staff; and watch the other children at play.

Contact Us

ADDRESS

Up Up and Away Preschool

Hulton Hall

South Street

Great Waltham

Chelmsford

CM3 1DF

07501 313321