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The aim of our Nursery Group is to provide a safe, caring and
stimulating environment in which girls can learn and equip
themselves with the necessary skills required for the Reception
Class and for future years in the school.
Through the use of topics, practical experiences and the
nurturing they receive in the Nursery, we aim to provide
the girls with a basic understanding of the world around
them.
Nursery Structure
The Nursery is divided
into two groups, Junior Nursery and Senior Nursery.
The Junior Nursery is for girls
aged from 2-3 years. In this group learning is focused through play
based activities. It aims to build each girl's confidence, providing her
with many valuable learning experiences. This first group gives each girl
a sense of routine and structure and begins to teach simple skills such as
social interaction with peers and fine motor control, which will then be
developed in the Senior Nursery class.
The Senior Nursery, the second Nursery class, is for girls
aged from 3-4 years. Here they will participate in activities which will
develop the necessary skills for the Reception Class such as pencil control,
increased concentration span and positive approaches to new challenges.
The curriculum therefore, is tailored to meet the needs and demands placed upon
each girl on entry to school.
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Timetable
Using the Foundation Stage guidelines, the Senior Nursery works from
a structured timetable in which each of the six areas of learning, (Personal, Social and
Emotional Development, Physical Development, Creative Development, Mathematical Development,
Knowledge and Understanding of the World and Communication, Language and Literacy), are
covered throughout the week.
The Junior Nursery has a similar timetable and follows the Government guidelines
in the 'Birth to Three Matters' document.
However, the timetables are sufficiently flexible to cater
for the differences in each girl's ability. The girls are encouraged to work at their own pace and
with the small numbers in each group we ensure that every girl is given the individual attention
she requires.
The Junior Nursery Timetable can be viewed by clicking here.
The Senior Nursery Timetable can be viewed by clicking here.
Learning through Play
Play is an extremely important part of a girl’s
learning. It is through games and play experiences that girls can experiment and learn
new skills. When playing, they have the opportunity to solve problems, use their imagination,
explore and recreate situations. Interaction and skilful questioning by staff enhances and
extends these learning experiences.
Examples of play activiites can be viewed by clicking here.
Assessment
Ongoing assessments of the girls' progress are made and recorded on the Foundation
Stage Record of Achievement. Work is collected as evidence for the six different areas of learning
and at the end of each term a form is completed to mark the girls' abilities and achievements.
This is then used to help staff devise a programme of activities which will enable the girls
to reach their next individual targets. All records are confidential but are available for
pasrents to look at any time.
Reports on each girl's progress are written and sent home at the end of
the Autumn and Summer terms.
Topics
Topics are used as an enjoyable way to teach the girls a variety of information
about themselves, their family and the environment in which they live. The topic is changed each term.
All activities are then planned around the theme for that term. These plans are made with reference
to the Foundation Stage Stepping Stones (refer to "Curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage"
DFEE ref QCA/00/587) under the six areas of learning. Within these themes we invite visitors from
the local community to speak to the girls and we also arrange various outings throughout the year.
Parents
Each girl's happiness is the key to her progress and development. We like to
work closely with parents to ensure our success. Staff are available to meet informally with parents
every day when they welcome the girls into the Nursery and at the end of the session when the girls
are collected. Parents are also encouraged to see the Nursery staff if they have a concern
at any time.
Formal meetings include a "meet the teacher" evening early in the Autumn term and a full parents'
evening organised in the Spring Term. A newsletter informing parents of key activities taking
place in the Nursery is sent home each week.
Click here to
view a sample newsletter.
Each term there is a themed evening or coffee morning to which all the family members are
invited and can come and join in the fun.
Daily Routine
Early Arrival
Girls arriving early between 8.00 and 8.30am are supervised by a member of the
teaching staff in Room G24, in the main school building. At 8.30, they will be escorted to the Nursery.
Arrival at the Nursery
Parents bringing girls after 8.30am are asked to take them directly to the Nursery,
where they will be greeted by staff. It is helpful if girls can arrive by 9.00am each day.
Toys
Girls may bring one toy from home each day that is small enough to fit into
their book bag.
Topic Table
There is a different theme each week and girls are encouraged to contribute to this by
bringing in items from home. The theme may be related to colour, shapee, pattern or the current topic.
Morning Break
There is a morning break and snack time each day between 10.15 and 11.05am. Girls
may bring in fruit, biscuits or cheese and a non fizzy drink for their snack. Milk is available through
the school and can be on a termly basis for a small charge.
Session Times
Girls have the option of staying for just the morning session 8.30 - 12.30pm or for
the whole day 8.30 - 3.30pm.
Lunches
If girls are staying to lunch, they have the choice of bringing a packed
lunch or ordering a school dinner.
School lunches cost £9.50 per week or £2.05 per day. Lunches need to be ordered and paid for on Mondays
at Reception. If girls are having lunches every day throughout the term, payment is added to their
termly account.
After School Provision
Nursery girls may attend the Four O'Clock Club after school. The Club runs from
3.30 - 6.00pm and is supervised by a member of the Nursery staff. Toast, biscuits, fruit and juice are
provided and there is a small additional charge for attending.
If a girl is not collected at the end of the day for any reason,
they would be automatically taken to the Four O'Clock Club. The
secretarial staff would then be notified and would contact parents
by phone.
Holiday Club
A holiday club runs during the half term holidays,
for one week at Christmas and Easter, and for two weeks in the
Summer. It is available for girls in Nursery to J4 and is organised
by the Nursery staff who plan a varied programme of outings and
activities.
Absence
If your daughter is unable to attend school due to illness, then please telephone
the school before 9.30am. In cases of sickness, we request that girls should not attend the Nursery
for 24 hours.
Medicines
Any medicine that needs to be administered during the school day must be sent
to the Nursery staff, clearly labelled and with detailed instructions for administration, dose and timing.
A letter must be included giving consent for a member of staff to administer the medicine.
Emergency Contact Numbers
Please keep us up to date with any changes of telephone numbers. We may need to contact
you quickly if your daughter becomes unwell whilst at the Nursery.
Complaints procedure
If a parent has a concern, they should, in the
first instance, speak to the Nursery Staff and then to the Junior
Head if they feel it is necessary
Most problems can be resolved within the School and parents are encouraged to allow the
Headmistress and her staff the opportunity to investigate concerns fully. However, if parents fell
that a problem has not been resolved, then they may follow the Formal Complaints Procedure, details
of which can be obtained from the Bursar.
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