Welcome to George Dent Nursery 2009
General Information
Starting Nursery School
We always invite parents and children to visit us before a child starts with us. It gives an opportunity for us all to meet each other and for you to become familiar with the building and the staff. It offers the chance for us to answer any questions or concerns you may have. If your child is rather anxious about starting nursery, then please do visit us several times before he/she starts. Visiting and starting at nursery school is an important step for any young child. If possible, please try to make alternative arrangements for younger brothers and sisters on these days, as your child may need all your attention at this special time. Understandably such arrangements are not always possible, in which case please do bring along toddlers too. Attending more than one pre-school provision, morning and then afternoon can be very difficult for a young child to cope with often resulting in tiredness and confusion. Your child needs to get the most out of his/her pre-school experiences if he/she is to achieve his/ her full potential. Please keep this in mind when accepting a nursery place for your child.
On starting with us the children do not stay for the full session but when staff feel they are ready to do so they will let you know. We have a Parents’ Room in our school and among its many ‘uses’, perhaps the most important one is to assist in helping to settle your child happily into nursery. If he/she is reluctant to let you leave, we would ask you to use our Parents’ Room - have coffee there, read a magazine - your child will know where you are and will slowly and gradually begin to get to know us. If you’re worried about your child starting with us, not wanting you to go, please try not to be. We are used to any problems which might arise and the staff are only too happy to help. Please remember that until your child feels happy and safe with us, he/she will not benefit from nursery school. The often quoted: “he’ll be all right when I’ve gone” can cause a child unnecessary distress and frequently leads to lack of trust towards the adult. We would like starting at nursery school to be a happy and exciting experience. Please help us to make it such for your child.
In order to help the children to settle and to give them a sense of ‘belonging’, we operate a ‘key-worker’ system in Nursery so that each child has a specific member of staff to identify with. You will be introduced to your child’s ‘key-worker’ when your child starts Nursery and they will explain more to you about how the system works. Frequently asked questions
This section tries to share with you some practical information that aims at supporting your child in the transition between home and nursery.
However, as with all lists, it cannot be exhaustive! If you have any further queries PLEASE do not hesitate to ask!!
“I’ve been to the parents meeting – what happens next?”
Please accept the previous invitation to come and visit with your child
This is an opportunity for you and your child to spend a morning or an afternoon in the school, exploring and enjoying our provision together
It is also a chance for your to meet your ‘key person’ – the member of staff who you will get to know very well and who will support your child, especially in the early days
Please use this as an opportunity to ask any questions, raise any concerns or share any information that you feel is important
After this visit you are welcome to visit again – please let your key person know if you would like to do so
“What can I expect the day my child starts?” All children are individuals and you know your child best!
Day 1
This is where the partnership with staff begins! Please let your key person know when you are ready to say goodbye, so that they can be ready to support your child if needed When you have said goodbye, staff will invite you to go to the parents’ room for a coffee and chat with other parents. Your child will be reassured as they know where you are, and, if there are any problems, staff can contact you straight away, so avoiding unnecessary distress to your child. Staff will ask you to return within an hour on that first day
Day 2 onwards
What happens next is totally determined by your child
If they are happy to enter nursery, say goodbye to you and engage in play activities, then staff will gradually, day by day, extend the length of time that you are away
However, please be guided by your key person who will be observing your child carefully during these first few, important, sessions. All staff are very experienced and are able to judge when the children begin to show signs of needing their parents/carers
We believe that time spent being sensitive to the need of individual children at this stage, results in your child making the most of the George Dent experience!
Even if your child has attended another setting, please remember they need time to become familiar with a new building, new routine and new adults!
“What if my child doesn’t settle?” Almost certainly they will in time! Just a few tips for you to consider?
1) Don’t worry!!
2) Talk to your key person, other parents, family members – anyone who will reassure you – many of us have been there ourselves
3) Don’t let your child know you are concerned
4) Bring your favourite book or magazine to read!
5) Be consistent with your child – follow the routine that works for you BUT please….
COME BACK WHEN YOU SAY YOU WILL !
“What happens at the end of the session” Please remember that the sessions end at 11.30am and 3.30pm, and children should be collected by these times. Parents are welcome to collect the children from the rooms until 11.20am and 3.20pm, but we do ask that the last ten minutes of the session are not disrupted. If staying for story, staff will return your child safely to your care at the end of the session.
If someone other than yourself is picking your child up PLEASE, PLEASE let staff know beforehand.
In order to keep your child safe, staff will never let your child go with someone they do not know – if staff are uncertain, your child will be kept safe and you will be contacted immediately
“What does my child need to bring to Nursery?”
In order that your child is able to make the most of their session both inside and outdoors, please ensure that your child has the following with them every day:
- Wellies
- Sand shoes
- Bag for shoes
- Coat – depending on the weather
REMEMBER - IF YOUR CHILD CAN TAKE IT OFF, PLEASE NAME IT
“What does my child need to wear for Nursery?” Please dress your child in clothing that he/she can manage to fasten or unfasten themselves – joggers are better than jeans!!
Although children are encouraged to wear aprons, accidents do happen. Please do not dress your child in ‘best clothes’!
School polo shirts and sweatshirts are available for you to buy throughout the year. Please ask in the office for details
“What will my child be learning?” Please see the brochure EYFS – an explanation, and the ‘Curriculum Cards”, both of which are within web site documents area
“How will I be kept informed about my child’s progress?” Your key person will always be available to talk informally with you about your child’s progress
BUT, in addition…
There will be an opportunity, once each term, for you to have a private, in-depth conversation about your child with a member of staff.
We will endeavour to offer a number of dates and a range of times each term, so that as many parents/carers as possible can take this opportunity to work in partnership with staff in order to support your child’s learning
“Will my child be able to go outside?" All children, whether based in the Garden Room or the Treetops, will have access to the outdoor learning - every session. Staff recognize the importance of well planned and resources provision both indoors and outside.
“What can we provide?” Contribution to school fund - each group has a “fund” bank which helps buy all the extras for the children’s activities e.g. cooking and baking ingredients, pet food, flowers for arranging etc.
Fruit - please provide a piece of fruit once or twice a week.
Box of tissues
Junk - You can help us and the children by not throwing things away, as often your “junk” can be put to great use in the nursery. Please collect for us your boxes, packets, cartons, cardboard tubes, (not toilet rolls please), bottle tops, wood off-cuts, material scraps, buttons and anything else you think we may be able to use.
“Can we help?" It is of great benefit to the children to have as many adults as possible around in the nursery to give a helping hand, and to talk to them about their activities. We welcome help from Mums, Dads, Grandmas and Granddads. Whether it is on a weekly basis, or even just now and then, we would be very grateful.
“How do we borrow a Storysack, a library book or a number chest?” ‘Storysacks’ can be borrowed each Friday. Please look out for the notices or ask a member of staff. We would love to have your help! If you would like to volunteer to help check sacks in and out, please mention this to your Key Worker.
Each Thursday is Library day, a member of staff will be on hand to help you to borrow a book
Numberchests can be borrowed daily from your child’s individual room, ask a member of staff if you are interested
“What do I do if my child is poorly?” If your child has suffered from sickness or diarrhoea, please keep them at home for at least 24 hours.
Conjunctivitis & impetigo are particularly infectious and children must stay at home until completely free of the infection
When outbreaks of head lice are reported to us, we will inform all parents. Please check your child’s hair regularly. If you find that your child has head lice please do keep them at home until you are sure the treatment has been effective.
“What do I do if we are going on holiday?” Inform your key person
“What’s an ‘All About Me’ book?” During the time your child is at nursery we would like to compile a book entitled ‘All About Me’. We ask for photographs from home of events, occasions, friends and family that are special to your child. The nursery also adds your child’s ‘work’ throughout the year. We have purchased files for this purpose and when your child leaves us, he/she will be given their book to keep.
We would welcome a contribution of £1 towards the cost.
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