Welcome to the New to Nursery Parents Meeting

1. Welcome to the New to Nursery Parents Meeting

2. Preschool (aged 2 to 3) Nursery (aged 3 to 4) Reception (aged 4 to 5) What is the Foundation Stage?

3. The Seven Areas of the Curriculum Three Prime areas • Personal, Social and Emotional Development • Communication and Language • Physical Development Four specific areas • Mathematics • Literacy • Understanding the World • Expressive arts and design

4. Playing and exploring (exploring, having a go, engaging with activities) Active learning (motivated, concentrating, trying, achieving own goals) Creating and thinking critically (thinking, having own ideas, making links, choosing ways to do things) Characteristics of learning

5. Learning journals are how we keep a record of children’s learning and progress in the different areas and with particular next steps we set for each child. They are a mixture of post it notes, longer written observations, photos and pieces of children’s own work. The journals are shared with the child at different times and with parents during parent consultations and at half termly intervals. They can also be seen on request and can be kept at the end of the year. Learning Journals

6. For most of the session children are free to choose from the different learning areas inside and outside the building. They can access resources freely which allows them to follow their own interests, build their skills in problem solving and develop their ideas at their own pace. Child Initiated Play

7. The adults role • During a session the adults’ main role is to observe children in play. • This helps us to extend their learning, to gain ideas to include in future planning and provides opportunities for us to assess understanding.

8. Observations and assessment • We carry out a mixture of short and long observations. • These help us track the progress of your child and what they are achieving in play. • The observations are included within the learning journal.

9. Attending assemblies Being in a coloured house Receiving housepoints PE in the hall Being Star of the week Links to the Main School

10. Session times: Morning 8.30am to 11.30pm Afternoon 12.30pm to 3.30pm Please drop off and pick up your child as promptly as possible. Nursery Times

11. Available online ALL uniform must be NAMED Outdoor shoes need to be suitable for climbing etc Indoor shoes need to be provided (trainers are better than plimsolls) Uniform

12. We encourage children to: - take off and put on their own coat - change their own shoes - use the toilet independently - become more independent in play, taking turns and asking for and sharing toys We encourage independence!

13. Other things to mention • Star of the Week • House points • Foundation Stage Newsletter • Website and the blog

14. Forest Schools • Once children are settled we will start going to Forest School using our own woodland area. • The sessions are aimed at developing a variety of life skills using an outdoor environment. • There will be a meeting for parents to give more information once your child has started in Nursery.

15. Home Visits • We believe in having a close relationship with parents making sure that the children have the best and most comfortable start to their time in Nursery. • Evidence has shown that where children have the opportunity to meet the staff at home, they find it much easier to settle. • It is also a time for you to discuss your child in a quiet environment and any queries or concerns you may have.

16. Any questions?

17. Introduction to Nursery Taster sessions for parents and children • Monday 4th July • Tuesday 5th July from 2pm – 3pm