The Staff Team
| Head Teacher | Mrs Penny Khan |
| Core Day Staff | Mrs Gill Clarke (Deputy Head Teacher) - Orange Group |
| Mrs Sarah Ogden (Nursery Nurse) - Blue Group | |
| Miss Phillippa Gibson (Nursery Nurse) - Green Group | |
| Extended Day Staff | Mrs Alison Good (Senior Nursery Officer) |
| Mrs Helen Munden | |
| Mrs Carol Munt | |
| Mrs Valerie Trimby | |
| Non teaching staff | Mrs Elizabeth Crossley (Caretaker) |
| Mrs Susan Baldwin (Office Administrator) Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs 9.00-3.45 | |
| Mrs Joanna Winter (Extended Day Administrator) Mondays and Fridays 9.00-3.00 |
The following aims underpin all our work with children and families. They
have been discussed and agreed with the staff and are reviewed regularly.
We aim to provide a service which:
• offers high quality education and care in a fully integrated way
• flexibly meets the needs of children and families
• nurtures a sense of personal fulfilment, confidence and individuality
• promotes a warm emotional climate, which encourages the ability to question and take risks without fear of failure
• provides a context which supports individual learning styles
• promotes a curriculum which is enjoyable, motivating and challenging and enables the consolidation of experience and transference of knowledge
• develops a shared understanding about the importance of a play based curriculum with parents and the broader community
• respects one another without prejudice
We believe that inclusion benefits everyone. Children get to know each other
and learn that everyone is different and have different abilities, but that we
can all learn from each other and learn together.
The School aims to be positive about all children, their families and their achievements. We are open and honest about different abilities and work proactively to counter all types of discrimination. Our provision is child centred. We match our expectations and learning opportunities to the specific needs of individual children. We aim to give all children equality of opportunity to participate fully in the curriculum. This includes equality of access, time, approach and expectation.
The education we provide as a school undergoes an OFSTED inspection once in every 6 years. The last inspection was in 2000. An OFSTED registration inspection occurs annually and concentrates on the day care provision.
Senior staff and our Local Authority Advisor carry out monitoring of all staff.
All staff have Performance Management Reviews.
What are the admission criteria for the school?
What are the admission criteria for fee paying parents?
When can children begin school?
What are the admission criteria for the school?
Admission criteria for part time funded education places for 3-4 years of age.
a. Children with professionally supported social, education or medical needs
b. Children with siblings who already attend the school
c. Children who live nearest the school
Children outside the immediate catchment area are welcome.
What are the admission criteria for fee paying parents?
a. Waiting lists/ places are allocated as they become available
b. First come first served
c. Availability of requested days
d. The child must be at least 3 years of age
When can children begin school?
Children are admitted the year in which they are four years old. September to
February birthdays start in September, March to August birthdays start in
January
N.B. Priority for am/pm place preferences is given to those registered as waiting for the longest period of time.
N.B. admission is to the Nursery only. Application for admission to your
choice of
Parents should apply in person at the
Children are admitted to first School as follows:
Fifth birthday between Term Admitted
1st September to 29th February September
1st March to 31st August January
Currently, the School is open for education sessions from
The extended day runs from
It is important that your child attends on a regular daily basis. If they do
not attend the whole session on a daily basis, the lack of continuity disrupts
valuable aspects of their education. If your child is going on holiday, has a
hospital or doctors appointment or is on a school visit please let your Key
Worker know. These absences can then be authorised in the register. For any
other absences you need to fill in an absence slip, these are available from
your child’s Key Worker or the Parent notice board. Please ring Nursery
on the first day of your child’s illness.
Please note repeated, prolonged absence may jeopardise your child’s
place.
What does the visit day involve?
How can I help my child settle?
What if my child is staying for an extended day?
What should my child wear to nursery?
What will my child eat and drink at nursery?
Home visits are the first step towards your child settling happily. They help to establish a trusting relationship between your child and staff because your child is in a familiar environment. For this reason you will usually be visited by the adult who will become your child’s key worker, and possibly one other member of staff. It also gives an informal opportunity to exchange information and fill in paper work. You will be contacted prior to your child’s admission to agree a time and date which is mutually convenient.
The Key Worker is a member of staff who is primarily responsible for working
in partnership with the family and for monitoring and developing your
child’s progress. This does not mean that only the Key Worker will take
an interest in your child, as all staff work with all the children and
contribute to the total experience provided. You are welcome to arrange to meet
with your Key Worker, to talk about what your child is doing at school and
home. If as parent/carers and staff, we share information about how your child
is progressing, both at home and in the nursery, we will be able to give
him/her the help and opportunities that he/she needs. Each Key Worker group is
identified by colour: red, green, orange or blue. Children gather together in each
group at the end of the session. This gives them the opportunity to share
experiences and to develop their relationship with their Key Worker.
The Key Worker is responsible for registering your child’s attendance at
school. They are the person you take your child to on arrival and collect from
when leaving.
What does the visit day involve?
The week before starting new children and their parent/carers come for an
initial session. No older children are present. This is an opportunity for the
children and their parents to explore the nursery provision and to get to know
staff. The Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher set aside some time to meet
with all the new parents as a group and talk through policies and procedures.
This is an informal session where you are welcome to raise any questions. Key
Workers are also available to assist you.
This session is also a time to finish any administrative tasks. It is important
that you bring your child’s birth certificate with you.
How can I help my child settle?
Before your child is admitted we encourage you to visit the School to get to
know us.
The School will be a new environment for your child. He/she will need to adjust
to new people, experiences and routine.
This can be difficult; therefore, to help them feel safe and secure, you or
someone close to them will need to be available for at least one week. All
children are individuals, some children will settle in a few days others may
take weeks. Prior to admission, your child’s Key Worker will discuss with
you procedures/time scales appropriate to them.
We discourage children bringing toys to school, as they are often lost or broken. But we understand that a favourite toy for comfort or security can help a child settle.
What if my child is staying for an extended day?
If your child is staying for a period longer than the part time morning or afternoon session, the settling procedure is slightly different. This is described in the Extended Day Information Booklet and can be discussed with your child’s Key Worker.
What should my child wear to nursery?
Please do not send your child to nursery in their best clothes. Aprons are provided but your child will be more comfortable and enjoy his/her time with us more if they do not have to worry about getting wet or dirty. The messy activities are an important part of children’s learning and we cannot prevent them from taking part, as we are required to provide these learning experiences as part of the curriculum. To be able to dress and undress is an important part of a child’s independence. Please make sure that clothes, especially coats, and shoes are easy for your child to put on and take off. If clothes become wet or dirty we have some spare for changing.
The children will be playing and working outside. This area is an important part of the curriculum and the children are encouraged to take part in a wide range of learning experiences. Please make sure they are wearing warm outdoor clothes and shoes, which are suitable for climbing and running.
What will my child eat and drink at nursery?
We provide mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks of fruit/milk or water. A
voluntary parental contribution of £1 per week helps to cover these costs and
the costs of photographs, flowers, cooking, birthday treats etc. This is
collected by Susan Baldwin in the hall at the following times each week:
Monday 9.00-9.30 am
Monday 1.00-1.30pm
Alternatively, contributions can be enclosed in an envelope clearly marked with
the child’s name and the amount.
Please help our administration by paying only at these times.
|
AM |
ROUTINE |
PM |
ROUTINE |
|
8.00-6.00 |
School opens for Breakfast Club in Rainbow Room |
|
|
|
9.00 |
Registration. Collect their registration card from their colour group tray. Cards are handed to the Key Worker. Weekly rotas informing parents where Key Workers are working are displayed on the parent notice board in the main entrance lobby. Registration completed by 9.20am |
1.00 |
Registration for pm session- see am procedure opposite
|
|
9.00-11.00 |
|
1.00-3.00 |
School pm session. Children enjoy free access to indoor and outdoor provision |
|
10.45-11.10 |
Indoor and outdoor tidy up time. Children are encouraged to help |
3.00-3.10 |
Indoor and outdoor tidy up time. Children are encouraged to help |
|
11.10-11.30 |
Group Time. Children join their Key Worker for group activities. Extended day afternoon children go to Rainbow Room. |
3.10-3.30 |
Group Time. Children join their Key Worker for group activities. Extended day morning children go to Rainbow room. |
|
11.30 |
End of morning session |
3.30 |
End of afternoon session |
|
11.30-1.00 |
Children staying for lunch go down to the Rainbow Room for activities and to eat their packed lunches |
3.30-6.00 |
Extended day children go to Rainbow Room for activities - Light tea and snacks available 3.30-4.30 |
|
|
|
6.00 |
End of extended day session |
The school is committed to providing a busy, safe, happy environment for
everyone. We encourage children to manage their own behaviour and learning, to
respect themselves, others and their environment. We expect children to try
their best and to be co-operative and appreciative of the efforts of others.
If you have any concerns about your child, please share them with your Key
Worker. Any concerns raised by staff will be shared with you by your Key
Worker. No action will be taken unless it has been agreed with you. Our aim is
to work in partnership in order to provide the necessary support for each child
to succeed and develop.
Our planned curriculum follows the guidelines provided in the government document for children aged 3-5 years ‘Curriculum Guidance for the foundation stage’.
The children are offered a wide range of activities and experiences during the day, which form the curriculum. These experiences are intended to enrich the overall development of each child and provide opportunities for children to direct their own learning and make decisions.
Children do their best learning through play. Play is the child’s work. It is the way they make sense of the world. Play helps children learn to form relationships with other children and adults and to understand their own feelings and the feelings of others. Play also allows children to use and extend the knowledge and experience they already have by applying it to new situations and challenges. To enable the children to get the most out of their play, we carefully plan how the learning environment is set up and what daily activities will take place. We also plan to ensure their previous experiences are built on. This includes giving careful consideration to ensure that all children’s lifestyles, languages and cultures are valued, respected and represented. The curriculum consists of the following areas of learning: creative, social, personal and emotional, communication, language and literacy, mathematical, knowledge and understanding of the world and physical development.
We have an inclusive approach, aiming to fully integrate children and
families with a range of needs. We believe that all children should have the
opportunity to be valued and treated as individuals within a local setting.
A special educational need may be short or long term. Many children have a
special need at some time. Often a difficulty can be resolved by staff and
families sharing information and planning together.
We follow the ‘Code of Practice’. This is a government document to be used as a guide for setting out how to support children with special educational needs. It recommends identifying needs as early as possible and working with families.
What if my child is ill?
It is important that children stay at home when they are unwell. The nursery is a busy place and a difficult place to be when you feel unwell. We also need to consider the health of other children as illnesses spread quickly in this age group. Vomiting and diarrhoea are usually infectious, so we ask that you keep your child at home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms have gone.
What do I do if my child has an infectious disease?
Please contact us if your child catches an infectious disease, such as chicken pox, measles, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea or any other childhood illness. We need to inform other parents/carers and sometimes the Health Authority. If your child is on antibiotics, he/she should be out of school for 48 hours, to allow the medicine to combat the infection. We will need to contact you during the day if your child becomes unwell or has an accident, so please let us know if you change address or telephone number at home or at work.
If your child has special medical needs, please raise them with the Head Teacher and together we will see what support the school can arrange.
What about medicines?
Please inform your Key Worker of any health issues concerning your child. We
will give prescribed medication to your child if in our view he/she is:
• well enough to be in nursery
• the medication has been prescribed by a doctor, and needs to be
administered during the hours we are caring for them. We will not give
medicines bought over the counter. This includes drugs containing paracetamol
and asprin such as Calpol or Disprol and cough mixture.
• you have completed and signed the appropriate forms, noting the dosage
required and times the medication is to be given. This applies to inhalers and
creams
Please note that staff are not legally obliged to administer medication and the final decision is at the discretion of the Head Teacher or Manager.
What if my child has an accident?
If your child has a bump or fall at nursery, it is recorded in the accident
book and you are informed when you come to pick your child up. You will be
asked to sign an accident slip. For a more serious injury you (or your named
person) are contacted immediately. Please ensure that our record of telephone
numbers is kept up to date.
We are all concerned as staff and parent/carers about the well being of the children. We are committed to working in partnership with parent/carers to make the welfare of the children our first priority. We encourage parent/carers to raise any concerns that they may have with their child’s Key Worker. You will appreciate that like any other children’s establishment, we have a legal responsibility to report any unexplained injuries or concerns affecting any child’s physical or emotional well being to social services in line with the Local Education Authority’s Child Protection guidance. It is important that you understand and accept our legal obligations.
Who can collect my child?
We prefer to have a record of named people who are authorised to collect your
child and ideally would like you to introduce them in person. However, we
recognise that this is not always possible. Always tell your child’s Key
Worker if someone different from normal will collect your child. If you cannot
do this in person, please write a note or telephone. We cannot let children
leave with anyone under 16 years of age or not included as a named person on
the admission form.
If you are going to be late collecting your child please let us know as soon as
possible. If you will be more than 30mins late please contact one of your named
adults to collect on your behalf. Waiting for an extended period of time can be
very distressing for a child. Please let us know immediately if your contact
address or telephone numbers change.
What can parent/carers do to keep children safe in the school?
If you collect your child at a time other than the end of a morning or
afternoon session, please always tell your child’s Key Worker.
Make sure you close all gates properly at all times and do not encourage your
child to open the gates for themselves.
We share the busy library car park. When coming and going please take care and
be vigilant at all times.
All visitors are asked to sign the Visitors Book, log their time of arrival
and departure and to wear an identity badge.
For reasons of insurance and safety visiting children are the responsibility of
their parents/carers. Please keep them under your personal supervision at all
times. When visiting please familiarise yourself with the fire evacuation
procedures.
What are the fire procedures?
Fire drills are held every half-term. You are required to exit the building
quickly and quietly and assemble by the sand pits at the top of the play
ground. Evacuation procedures and plans of the building with marked fire exits
are displayed in each room.
What about outings?
When your child is admitted, you will be asked to sign a permission slip to
allow your child to go on trips. These will include walking to local places of
interest or possibly taking a short bus ride. We will always be back before the
end of the session (am or pm). All outings are well planned and have an
educational purpose. The adult child ratio is 1:2 and there are
at least 2 adults involved. We will try to inform you about outings on a weekly
basis and invite you to come with us. However, sometimes we do take small
groups out with little notice, as they are dependent upon the weather and our
own staffing.
Occasionally, we will plan full day outings, which may involve hiring a coach
or using public transport. On these occasions, we will write to give you
details and to ask you if you wish your child to go or to come yourself. We
often have to rely on parent/carers accompanying their child in order to
maintain safe ratios. The children really enjoy and learn a lot from these
trips.
For information and to find out your entitlement please ring the Inland Revenue Help Line on 0800 500 222.
As a team we are committed to working in partnership with parents and families. This partnership is based on the belief that parents have specialist knowledge of their children and want the best for them, and we have expert knowledge of children at this particular stage and age of development. By combining this knowledge and understanding we can provide the best for each child.
We aim to create a warm and welcoming environment for parents, where they feel they can talk freely with staff. In our experience, children feel more secure if they see their parents or carers involved in the school. However, we understand that families have commitments outside the school and recognise that the nature and degree of involvement will vary over time and between families.
Parents are involved in the school through:
The Governing Body
The Governing Body includes 4 parent representatives, 2 teaching staff, 1 non
teaching staff, 2 Local Authority representatives and has the scope to co-opt
an additional 3 community representatives. It is a very significant body,
making important decisions which effect the education of all our children. If
you are interested in knowing more please see the Head Teacher.
Informal daily contact at the beginning and end of sessions.
Members of staff are available to talk to parents and carers about their child.
If you would like more time to talk, please make an appointment.
Sharing your child’s progress
A formal sharing of each child’s development and progress takes place
once per term. Each parent has an appointment to talk with his or her
child’s Key Worker.
News letters
Newsletters are distributed to parents and carers every half term.
Outings
Parents are encouraged to accompany and help with outings.
Helping in the school
Parent/carers help in many ways:
• Involvement with play such as reading and telling stories, building
models, painting, dressing up and acting out
• Taking part in specific activities such as baking, sewing, using
computer programmes woodwork or gardening.
• Routine jobs such as laminating, paper cutting, book repairing,
photocopying etc
Basically, if you are interested in helping in any way we will be grateful.
Perhaps you have special talents or interests that you would like to share,
please talk to your Key Worker to find out how you can get involved.
Social and fundraising events
There are a number of events throughout the year. Interested parents help organise them to top up our funds. If you have any ideas please talk to your Key Worker.
Parent Groups
Interested parent/carers are welcome to use our facilities to meet. We already have a group of childminders who meet weekly in the Rainbow room. So if you or anyone you know would like to start something please see the Head Teacher.