Welcome!

Overview of the session 1. To find out about our routines and procedures ready for your child starting in Nursery.

2. Time to read the information in your pack. Complete and return all YELLOW forms.

An Introduction to Nursery at Sandhurst Infant and Nursery School

June 2014.

Beliefs and Values

Children are at the heart of all we do

We believe:

• that children should be children • that children should be treated fairly and as individuals • that EVERY child can succeed

The Nursery Team

• Nursery is part of the Early Years Foundation maternity leave in July).

• 2 sessions – morning (8:45am-11:45am) and afternoon (12:30pm-3:30pm) • 50 children in each session • For organisational purposes the children are divided into 2 ‘classes’ and within that into 4 key groups. However ALL adults work with ALL children and relationships are strong throughout.

Before September ….

• You will have the chance to come to some ‘Stay and Play’ sessions running after school. Dates are in your packs.

• The idea is for you and your child together to get used to the space – toilets, coats, etc and for Nursery to become familiar. You will meet some of the staff as well. • We recommend you take photos during the stay and play sessions and make a little book / album which you can go over with your child during the summer. This will help Nursery to feel like a familiar place.

Home Visits

• In the first week or two of September a home visit will be arranged so that staff, parents and children can meet in a familiar setting and discuss starting Nursery in an informal context.

The first few days

• Staggered intake – only a few new children starting each day – check your letter to see your starting day.

• On your child’s first day ONLY, come to the external nursery door for 9:00am/12:45pm – this is so we can get children already with us settled to activities. After the first day, arrive for 8:45am/12:30pm.

• Collect children from the Nursery entrance at 11:45am / 3:30pm.

The first few days (cont.)

• The most important thing is that your child settles happily.

• All children separate at different rates. We will smooth as possible. The key is flexibility.

• During the first few days take your child to an activity and get them engaged. Let an adult know when you are leaving.

What happens in Nursery?

• Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum – 7 areas of learning. 3 prime areas: Communication and Language; Physical Development; Personal, Social and Emotional Development. 4 other areas: Literacy, Maths, Creative and Expressive Arts, Knowledge of the World • Indoor and outdoor classroom – in ALL weathers!

• PE – regular hall time • LOTS of listening and speaking • LOTS of practical experience (which can be messy!) • Learning through play

A Typical Session

• Children come straight in with an adult, register themselves and get busy with activities. Adults leave straight away.

• Children will do somelearning in key groups. Lots of these sessions will focus around speaking and listening skills, taking turns and so on.

• Inside and outside there will be activities to support all areas of learning, eg: writing areas, water, sand, construction kits, small worlds, role play area, ICT and so on.

Expectations at Sandhurst Infant and Nursery School

• Home-School agreement – you should support

ALL our expectations, not just the ones you like / agree with!

• School uniform – ALL children should wear uniform • Good attendance • Punctuality at beginning AND end of every day • Good behaviour – supported by parents / carers

How can you help at home?

• Read with and to your child as often as you can • Sing songs / nursery rhymes • Play games • Ask about school – activities, friends, adults

Things you can do to help your child prepare.

• Talk about the adults your child will meet in your child even starts with us.

• Encourage children to do as you expect – if do it for us!

• Make sure your child can get themselves to as far as possible.

Urgent

• Please let us know if …….

- Your child has ANY medical condition, disability and / or allergy - Your contact details change - You are going to be late collecting your child - Somebody new is collecting your child.

What if there is a problem?

• Please speak to us as soon as possible.

• The first port of call should be a member of the Nursery team.

And finally ….

• Any questions?

• Thank you!