Cygnets Preschool at Swanage Primary School

Cygnets brings the pre-school years into Swanage Primary School’s setting at Mount Scar. Provision includes children aged two, three and four, with funded sessions for eligible families and additional hours charged separately. It is a school-attached pre-school, so choosing it involves both the immediate childcare arrangement and a separate decision about Reception later.

The school and pre-school aim to give children fair treatment and equal opportunities, and to challenge discrimination. That is an expressed aim rather than a nursery inspection judgement. For parents, the useful focus is how that aim translates into support for their own child.

Age-appropriate teaching about online safety extends to the pre-school. Computing and PSHE provide the context, with an emphasis on children telling an adult about anything that worries them, protecting personal information and treating others kindly. These are practical habits for using technology, rather than simply instructions about devices.

School devices use internet filters, and access to online material is supervised. Staff also receive regular training in online safety and safeguarding. Together, these arrangements combine boundaries around digital content with teaching children how to respond when something feels uncomfortable.

Cygnets has a leader, practitioner roles and an administrator who also works as a teaching assistant. Families can contact the pre-school directly, giving them a distinct route for questions about joining rather than relying solely on the main school office.

Within the school’s SEND support system, help varies according to a child’s needs. Universal and targeted provision sit alongside more specialist support; significant concerns about progress can lead to a child joining the SEND register for closer monitoring. This makes the distinction between everyday adjustments and additional individual support useful for families.

Parents with concerns about needs or progress should speak to their child’s class teacher first. Information can then reach the SENDCo, who oversees additional provision. The school aims to work closely with parents, so raising concerns is part of the support process rather than something families need to resolve alone.

Attending Cygnets does not guarantee a Reception place at Swanage Primary School. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate task when planning your child’s next step.

Coastal Learning Partnership is the school’s admissions authority and works with local authorities to administer admissions. The school office can help families with the application process. A pre-school place and a school place remain separate decisions.

Eligible children receive 15 or 30 hours of funded sessions. Additional hours are charged, and families claiming funding at another setting must tell the Cygnets administrator because this can affect their bill. This matters when splitting childcare between providers: the funding arrangement needs to be considered across both settings. Contact the school for current charges.

To arrange a pre-school visit and request admission information, contact Cygnets directly at cygnets.preschool@coastalpartnership.co.uk. Its address is Swanage Primary School, Mount Scar, Swanage, BH19 2EY. A visit is a concrete first step for families considering the provision, before making their nursery arrangements.