Denby Dale Nursery School

The Role of the Key Person

When your child enters nursery s/he will be allocated a key person. A key worker is the member of staff who has primary responsibility for a child’s care and education in nursery and for working in partnership with their families. This does not mean that only your child’s key worker will take an interest in your child, as all staff work with all the children and contribute to the total experience provided. Children gather together in key worker groups at different points in the nursery session. This gives them the opportunity to share experiences and to develop their relationship with their key worker.

Each child’s key worker is responsible for monitoring and developing his/her progress. Parents and carers are welcome to meet with their child’s key worker, to share information about what s/he is doing both in nursery and at home. Through information sharing we will be able to build up a fuller picture of a child’s interests and experiences and jointly identify meaningful learning opportunities for a child which can be planned in to further his/her development.

The Curriculum

We offer a high quality curriculum following statutory guidance from the Department of Education, ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage’.

The children who attend Denby Dale Nursery School experience a play based curriculum of planned, independent and adult led activities.  These experiences take place indoors and outdoors and aim to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in the following areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development We help children to mix and form relationships with other children and adults, and to play and learn co-operatively.  Children are supported to develop a positive sense of themselves and an awareness of the needs and feelings of others.

Communication, Language and Literacy Our children are supported to develop skills in communicating, talking and listening, reading and writing.  They are introduced to a rich learning environment where they are provided with opportunity & encouragement to use these skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes. They are also supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so.

Mathematical Development Our children are supported to develop mathematical ideas and use related vocabulary while taking part in sorting, matching, ordering, counting, calculating, pattern making and working with numbers, shapes and measures. Mathematical understanding is developed through a variety of practical activities based on every day situations and purposeful play.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World Children are encouraged to be curious, to ask questions, to experiment and solve problems to help them make sense of the world they live in. A variety of practical experiences build the foundation for later learning about science, design and technology, information and communication technology, history, geography and religious education.

Physical Development Our children are very physically active learners, learning about the world and themselves by moving and touching. They are supported to develop physical control, co- ordination and manipulation, confidence and the ability to move in different ways and handle large and small equipment.  Children learn how their bodies work and how to stay active, safe and healthy.

Creative Development Our children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of creative experiences.  As their imagination develops they have opportunities to communicate and express their ideas and feelings in a number of ways through artwork, music, dance and role play.