Nursery 3 is situated within Trinity Lodge, which stands in its own ground. Trinity Lodge is fitted with a security system and CCTV to ensure optimum safety for your child. A bell must be rung at the door to gain entry. We follow the same term time dates as the Prep Department, starting at 8.30am and finishing at 3.30pm. Your child may attend for morning (starting at 9.00am if your prefer) or afternoon sessions or a full day to suit your requirements.
If you require day care, Trinity Lodge is open from 8.00am to 6.00pm for 50 weeks a year. Your child can be cared for by the day care staff and taken to and from the Nursery class at the appropriate times.
We aim to provide a secure, happy and stimulating environment where, through carefully chosen play activities, your child will be encouraged to develop emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically. Each child is regarded as an individual and as such is encouraged to develop his/her abilities to their full potential.
The Foundation Stage, which is statutory, begins when children reach the age of 3 and continues to the end of the Reception class. Miss Walters, the Reception class teacher, is our Foundation Stage Co-Ordinator. We work closely together to ensure the foundations are laid for the rest of your child’s education. We have access to Trinity School via a pathway which allows us to visit the Prep Department for assemblies and other regular activities including special mornings with the Reception class at least twice a term. We take full advantage of the many opportunities being part of Trinity School offer us and regularly take small groups for walks in the grounds and visit the pond, laundry, library and Senior Department facilities.
Our day has a basic structure with quiet, teacher-led activities based on literacy and numeracy at the beginning and end of each session. During the rest of the session the children can choose from many carefully chosen play activities. Weather permitting a variety of activities will be available outside and the children are free to move in and out as they choose. A computer is always available during this time.
Liz Saunders NNEB Nursery Manager
Claire Twitchin NNEB
Chrissie Wray-Chance BTEC, HND in Early Childhood Studies
Elaine Buckley BTEC
Anita Coysh P.R.C.C.
Patricia Ashby Lodge Manager Cert Ed
Debbie Birt School Nurse RGN
Emma McNally Administrator
1. Within the Nursery there is an ethos of respect for oneself, ones property and caring for each other. Since April 2002 peer massage has been introduced (see notes later in this document) which it is hoped will further these positive ideas.
2. The children wear a basic uniform consisting of a polo shirt and sweat shirt which are available from the School Shop situated in the School grounds. The Shop is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm. Please try to avoid lunch times. Always provide your child with a coat and suitable footwear as we go outside whatever the weather! During the summer months please provide a hat and apply sun cream. A long sleeved cotton top may be worn instead of the uniform polo shirt if you are worried about over exposure to the sun.
3. A snack will be provided during the morning and afternoon. Milk or water and a variety of fruit, biscuits and homemade cake will be on offer. Water is available in the Nursery at all times.
4. A hot lunch is served in the dining room at 12 noon. This is cooked on the premises using fresh ingredients. Wherever possible we will avoid using additives and genetically modified ingredients. We aim to use organically grown food whenever we can.
5. A great deal of planning goes into the Nursery’s curriculum. There are long, medium and short term plans. Continuous assessment and observation help us to plan for the childrens needs and interests. A half termly letter will tell you what we would like your child to bring for the interest table each week. Also, something beginning with the letters of the week. Please reinforce the sound of these letters at home. You will also meet Trin and Ity our two bears who go home with a different child each night (they also love to be taken on holiday!!) Please encourage your child to draw and write (emergent writing) about the bears’ adventures while they are with you. They will be encouraged to share this with the other children. Photographs are also very welcome.
6. Each child is allocated to a key worker who will be responsible for checking that the child’s assessment and personal portfolio is up to date. Parents will be informed in writing who this person is but the child will not be told as we feel it is important for them to feel they can build relationships with all staff members or a particular one of their choosing. Parents may wish to talk to the key worker about any issues concerning their child, but as not everyone can be available at all times of the day, any one of us who is available will always be very happy to talk to you.
You may find you talk most often to someone who is not your child’s key worker. This is not a problem as we work very closely together as a team keeping each other informed and all working together to provide the best possible care for your child.
7. Every child has a folder in their box and some of their work will be put into this folder to build a portfolio of their achievements which they will take with them when they move on to the next stage of their education. Please feel free to look at this folder at any time and add to it but, unlike everything else in the box, please do not take it home.
8. Please look at the wall displays in the Nursery as these will help you to understand how the children are learning through play and direct experience.
9. There are two parents’ evenings during the year and an annual report. Please feel free to talk to the Nursery staff at any time. On occasions it may be difficult to talk at length when you drop off or pick up your child, in which case we are always willing to arrange a mutually convenient time for further discussion. We are here to help you and your child in any way possible.
10. If your child is on medication, please give it to a member of staff who will give you a medical form to complete.
11. Children will generally enter the Reception class in September following their 4 th birthday, but we are flexible. They may attend for 5 mornings or more sessions depending on their maturity. Generally, the new Autumn intake for the Reception class will spend 6 Wednesday mornings of the summer term with the Reception class to familiarise themselves with the routine and gain confidence.
12. As part of our Christian ethos we celebrate festivals such as Christmas and Easter. We also celebrate festivals of other contemporary religions.
13. All our policies are available in a folder on the main notice board on the ground floor. Please feel free to refer to these at your convenience.
In Nursery we pride ourselves on a very caring environment. The Foundation Stage which is statutory, lays great emphasis on learning through play and direct experience. We value good quality play. We want your children to be happy, to smile and have fun. We want you to be happy and to share with us your knowledge of your children. You are their first great educators. They will learn so much from you. Please feel free to share that knowledge with us in order that we can get to know your child better and do the very best for them.
In Education the Foundation Stage begins when children reach the age of 3. Nursery 3 is part of that Foundation Stage, nurturing children aged 3 to 5. The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into 6 areas of learning:-
Personal, social and emotional development
Communication, language and literacy
Mathematical development
Knowledge and understanding of the world
Physical development
Creative development
Because the children learn through play and practical activities, little work will be found recorded on paper. Education has probably changed tremendously through the years. Please have faith in the teaching staff who update themselves regularly with courses, research and further reading. They are the experts and we ask that their professionalism is respected.
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PARENTAL PERMISSION SLIP
Name of Child …………………………………………………...
I give permission for my child to take part in a programme which will include children massaging each other over their clothes, covering the areas of the back, neck and head.
For research purposes the children may be filmed or photographed anonymously from the back of the room.
Signed …………………………………………………………...