We hope you find this information helpful. If you need anything further, please contact Zelda or Vicki, details on the Contact page.
1. How much are the fees?
A full day costs £38. This includes morning snack and lunch.
A half day costs £26.
We provide statutory government funding for 15 hrs/wk or 30 hrs/wk for 3 and 4 year olds:
All children are entitled to 15 hrs/week from the term after their 3rd birthday until the term after their 5th birthday;
Some families may be eligible for 30 hrs/wk funding. Please see our Admissions Policy for more details;
Some 2 year-olds may also be eligible for funding. Please see guidelines here.
2. Do you accept children with additional needs?
We accept any child with additional needs where we believe we can provide a positive environment for that child. Please speak with Zelda or Jackie for more information.
3. What is the age range at Zelda School?
Zelda School in Gweek accepts children from 2 to 7 years old.
4. What do the children do each day?
There is a detailed description of the Rhythm of the Day in our Handbook, which you can find here. And you can read an outline of our curriculum here.
5. Is there a waiting list?
Unfortunately, yes. We are working to expand our capacity, and really want to provide spaces for all families who apply.
If you think you may want your child to come to Zelda School, we encourage you to fill in an Application Form as soon as possible, even if your child is still a way off the age at which they can start. There is a £20 Application Fee, which will also hold your place on the waiting list.
For more detailed information, please see our Admissions Policy on the Policies page.
6. Can I come and visit Zelda School?
Yes, you and your child are very welcome to come and visit us. We hold regular prospective parent mornings and afternoons, which are advertised on Facebook here.
We’re sorry that we cannot do any individual visits because they are too disruptive for the children and teachers.
7. How does it work having a mix of ages in one yurt?
We feel that this situation brings a number of benefits to all the children: younger children learn from seeing what those a little older than them do; older children learn to be patient, considerate and caring of the younger children.
Very young children and new children are closely supported by the adults in the outdoor spaces until they are confident. This gives the teachers the opportunity to reinforce the boundaries of the school, and make sure the children are safe and confident with the outdoor play and learning equipment.
8. How do you manage difficult behaviour?
Because the Zelda School environment allows children to move inside and outside as they need, we tend to experience very little challenging behaviour. On the rare occasion that challenging behaviour does arise, we work within the principles of mutual respect and understanding the needs that underlie the child’s behaviour. There is more information in our Behaviour policy on the Policies page.
9. Can you cater for special dietary needs?
We can cater for any special dietary needs or allergies. We do not serve any meat or fish at Zelda School.
10. How do children cope when they leave Zelda School? How do they make the transition into mainstream schools?
Our experience has been that Zelda School children make the transition into mainstream school very easily. The Zelda School curriculum and teaching methods encourage independent learning, and develop strong research and questioning skills. We have found that this prepares them very well for the different challenges of mainstream school.
We visit the school that a child is moving onto, and invite their next teacher to visit them while they are still at Zelda School, so they will understand where they have come from.
Here is some of the feedback we have had from teachers and Heads about Zelda School children that have moved on to their schools:
"[The pupils] both demonstrate positive learning dispositions and have formed good relationships with staff and other pupils. We are delighted to have them at Marlborough and value them as great 'ambassadors' for Zelda's School."
"...when compared to children from other schools, usually, Zelda school children have more confidence and a stronger sense of their own identity. 'M' is able to think critically, solve problems and assert herself at appropriate times and in a much more mature manner than her peers."
"I would, on the whole, say that children we receive from Zelda School are independent, confident and happy. They are motivated to learn and more confident than their peers. This of course goes a long way to building successful lifelong learners - thank you!"