What is the difference between Pre-school and the Early Years Pre Reception Unit?

Pre-school
Pre-school is optional for children from 2 years old. Children can stay in Pre-school until starting school or move to Pre Reception when they are about 3 and a half, as places become available. The role of Pre-school is learning through play.

Greenleas offer two pre schools one at Derwent Road, Linslade the other at Kestrel Way in Leighton Buzzard. Both are attached to the main school. Two sessions are offered; a morning (9am-12 noon) session or an afternoon session (12.15pm – 3.15pm). Your child can attend either or both sessions from 1 – 5 days a week, subject to availability. Lunchtime sessions are provided for those children attending for the full day, you can send in a packed lunch for this time or you are able to purchase a school dinner at a separate cost. You may also be able to select a session at Pre-school and a session at Pre Reception, which as a full day includes lunchtime, this is called Wraparound care.
Every child aged 3 and above is entitled to 15 hours a week, which is equivalent to either our morning or afternoon sessions, additional charges apply when an extra session is booked. In some cases children can receive funding from aged 2, subject to certain criteria.
Applications can be made at any time directly to Greenleas School using the form below. Attendance at Greenleas Pre-school does not guarantee a place in the Reception Class at School. Please see our Pre-school pages below.

Both managers, Mrs Amanda Wallace at Kestrel Way and Mrs Bindia Sexton at Derwent Road, welcome your questions and feedback on all aspects of the Pre-school. We are happy to discuss any points in person or via email. Please contact at:

Mrs Amanda Wallace - Pre-school Manager, Kestrel Way - a.wallace@greenleas.net
Mrs Bindia Sexton - Pre-school Manager, Derwent Road - b.sexton@greenleas.net

Early Years Pre Reception Unit
Early Years Pre Reception is not mandatory. It is aimed at children in the year before joining school. Children start about aged three and a half and they remain there until starting school. Early Years Pre Reception aims to introduce learning concepts.

Greenleas offers an Early Years Pre Reception Unit at both Derwent Road, Linslade and at Kestrel Way, Leighton Buzzard; both are attached to the main school. The unit employs qualified teachers who, together with teaching assistants, introduce socialising skills, independence and skills such as counting and pen control. They follow a rich and varied curriculum and sometimes join in with whole school assemblies. This ensures that when children attend Reception Class (the first year at school) they are ready to learn and feel part of the whole school community.
A 5 day commitment is asked of parents joining Pre Reception to ensure minimal disruption and maximum opportunity for the children. Generally, two options are offered; either a morning session (8.45am-11.45am) or an afternoon session (12.30pm – 3.30pm). You may also be able to select a session at Pre-School and a session at Pre Reception, which as a full day includes lunch, this is called Wraparound.
Government funding covers the cost of the Pre Reception half day session of 3 hours. If the full day (Wraparound) option is required then additional charges will apply. Children attending Pre Reception may access the before and after school clubs provided by Greenleas.
Attendance at Greenleas Pre Reception does not guarantee a place in the Reception Class at School. Applications can be made at any time directly to Greenleas School using the form below.