Key Information for Parents/Carers

Welcome to Laddingford Nursey at Laddingford Primary School. We are really looking forward to your child joining our Nursery and to supporting you in feeling part of the school community. We have the highest possible expectations for all our children and we want them to be happy, to be confident, to love learning and to achieve well. Joining Nursery is an exciting time for children but it can also be an anxious time so we have provided lots of practical information about how Nursery works and how you can help your child as they make their first steps into school. You may want to refer to this booklet over the first few weeks but please remember your child’s key person and all the staff in Nursery are here to support your child so please do come and talk to us with any concerns or queries.

Ethos and Approach  

We are committed to providing a happy, friendly and nurturing environment where children and adults feel welcome and at ease. Whilst we are unashamedly “play based” in our approach to learning in the early years we are rigorous in ensuring that we:  

· Get to know your child very well.  

· Build strong and positive relationships with your child and your family.  

· Provide a learning environment for your child both inside and outside that nurtures, challenges and excites.  

We believe strongly that young children learn best through play. This does not mean “playing around” or “playing about”. We plan very carefully to ensure each child makes progress in their learning and development. All the areas in Nursery have been carefully organised and resourced to offer materials, time and space for children to play with a purpose. Imaginative and spontaneous play, which is supported by interested adults, helps children to understand experiences, situations, themselves and other people. Through play children can take risks, make mistakes, practice skills and test new ideas. 

Nursery Opening Hours 

Morning session 8:45 – 11:45 am 

Afternoon session 12:15 – 15:15 pm 

There is an option to stay all day where lunch cover will be charged by the school at an additional cost. As set out in the Admissions Policy, the cost for staying from 11.45am-12.15pm is £3.25.

Children who are dropped off or collected in line with school hours can do so via the main playground gate with the rest of the school. Anything outside of this time will require the use of the dedicated Nursery gate. This can be accessed via Claygate Road, next to the church. Please ring the bell on the gate and a member of staff will greet you.

Staffing and Organisation

Our Nursery is going to be in our dedicated Early Years provision for Nursery and Reception children, known as Pippin class.

Pippin class: up to 23 children per session

1 Qualified Teacher (paediatric first aid trained)

Teaching Assistant (diploma in nursery nursing)

Children are supervised continuously and follow the requirements for adult:child ratios set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework (2021). Every member of the EYFS staff has completed PREVENT training/Safeguarding and 1 member of the team has a paediatric first aid qualification. DSL’s within the school are Lucy Clark (Headteacher), Lorna Lloyd (SENCo) and Kelly Featherstone (year 3/4 teacher). The unit has the use of a large classroom and a dedicated outdoor area. The classroom has a carpet area and the rest of the space is organised into learning zones for the children to access. Staff are organised to support the children in a balance of adult led and child initiated experiences throughout the day. All play sessions include free flow access to the outdoor area.

Key Person Approach

The Early Years team are responsible for the well-being of all the children in Pippin class. Each child is assigned a ‘key person’. Parents are informed of who their child’s key person is and this person will be a named point of contact with parents, however it is vital that all members of staff are approachable.

In Pippin class, the key person’s responsibilities include:

• helping the child to become familiar with the setting.

• building a relationship with each child’s parents, working in partnership with them to ensure that the child is being cared for appropriately.

• responding sensitively to the child’s needs, feelings, ideas and behaviour.

• ensuring that the learning opportunities on offer meet the needs of each child.

• Using observations to identify learning and the ‘next steps’ that can be developed.

• completion of observations, setting next steps, contributing to children’s ‘Unique stories’, completing Tapestry.

For more information about the EYFS curriculum and our approach to this, please see the EYFS curriculum document on our website.

Uniform 

As the nursery is part of the school, the children are expected to wear a relaxed uniform in line with Laddingford school colours. 

Winter uniform

Black joggers or leggings, Plain red sweatshirt, white or red polo t-shirt.  (Laddingford polo shirts can be ordered – please ask at the school office for details).   

Summer uniform

Plain back shorts, white or red polo t-shirt. Girls may wear red gingham summer dresses (can we ask for no playsuits please). 

Shoes

Trainers or school shoes can be worn but no open toed shoes please.   

Please supply a pair of wellies and waterproofs to remain in school at all times. We do have spares in school if required. Please ensure all items are named. 

Spare clothes

It would be helpful if you could provide a spare set of clothes. This can remain in their day bag, but please ensure it is named.