Welcome! Overview of the session 1. To find out about our routines and procedures ready for your child starting in Nursery. 2. Give out letters re. start dates and home visits.

An Introduction to Nursery at Stillness Infant School June 2013

The Nursery Team • Nursery is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage. • We run 2 sessions – morning and afternoon. There are 25 children in each session. • There is a full-time teacher, a full-time Nursery Nurse and a Teaching assistant for each session.

Staffing for September is yet to be finalised. You will be notified as soon as possible of names of all staff.

Other key adults • • • • • •

Ms. Osbaldeston Mrs. Grimes Richard Heap Mrs. Buckoke Mrs. Tennent Ms. Leacock

– Executive Headteacher – Head of School – Chair of Governors – SENCO - Admin Assistant - School Business Manager

Before September …. • Nursery will be open between 3:45pm and 4:15pm on the 2nd and 4th July (for afternoon children) and 9th and 11th July (for morning children) ‘stay and play’ sessions. • Come along to at least one of the sessions if you can. It will help you and your child become familiar with the setting, the resources, the toilets etc.

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 9:15am/12:45pm – this is so we can get children already with us settled to activities. After the first day, arrive for 9:00am/12:30pm. • Collect children from the outside classroom door at 12 noon / 3:30pm promptly.

The first few days (cont.) • The most important thing is that your child settles happily. • All children separate at different rates. We will work with you and your child on making this as 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.

Expectations at Stillness Infant School

• Home-School agreement – you should support ALL our

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

• School uniform preferable; otherwise SENSIBLE clothing (jewellery, nail varnish, shoes, hair accessories) • Good attendance • Punctuality at beginning AND end of every day • Good behaviour – supported by parents / carers

What happens in Nursery? • Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum – 7 areas of learning (3 prime areas: communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development; 4 specific areas: literacy, maths, understanding the world and expressive arts and design) • Indoor and outdoor classroom – in ALL weathers! • LOTS of listening and speaking • LOTS of practical experience (which can be messy!) • Learning through play

A Typical Session • Children will do some group learning on the carpet – numbers, phonics, writing, stories, etc. • Children access all areas of the classroom (inside and outside) – some activities are set out for them to promote particular areas of learning, other areas are empty for children to select what they would like to do and use. • Adults might spend time observing individuals / groups during their learning or they may select individuals for planned, focus activities.

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, etc.

Things you can do to help your child prepare. • Read stories about schools to build up familiarity with the setting and the adults. • Talk about the adults your child will meet in school so that they feel familiar before your child even starts with us. • Encourage children to stick to rules – ‘Do as you are asked the first time’. • Encourage responsibility and independence as far as possible – dressing, toileting, tidying up, etc.

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 the class teacher or Nursery Nurse. • If the class teacher is not available or you need to discuss the matter further, please make an appointment to see Ms. Osbaldeston or Mrs. Grimes.

And finally …. • Any questions? • Thank you!