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Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School

EYFS Handbook for Parents

2019/20

Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School, Ivy Bank House,

Half Edge Lane, Eccles, Manchester, M30 9BJ

Tel: 0161 950 7868

Fax: 0161 661 3822

E-mail: admin@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Website: www.clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

This is a trading name, address and telephone number of

Clarendon Cottage School Ltd.

If for some reason you have a complaint regarding the EYFS at Clarendon Cottage Prep School, this

can be raised with OFSTED.

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Welcome from the Head

I would like to warmly welcome all our new pupils and parents to our fantastic school, we know that you will be very happy with us. For all our established families we hope that you had a relaxing summer, with lots of exciting experiences to share with us and that you are returning ready to tackle the challenges of the year ahead. Over summer the school has been busy getting ready to welcome back the pupils in September, with the decorators refreshing the interior and the builders resurfacing the playground. All of our teachers have been busy prepping the classrooms and preparing exciting lessons for the coming term. Our aim at Clarendon Cottage is to enable every child to realise their true potential by offering a nurturing, family atmosphere that provides excellent teaching, outstanding pastoral care and plentiful opportunities for your child to develop and flourish. Working together, we can achieve this. We encourage you to keep daily contact with your child’s class teacher via homework diaries and reading records and ask you to support your child so they can play a full and active role in the life of the Prep school. I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage as many parents as possible to engage with our fabulous PTA. They are responsible for planning the wonderful events that we all enjoy over the year as well as raising funds for our school. The PTA is a brilliant way to become more involved in the school as well as giving you the chance to get to know your fellow parents better. I sincerely hope that this handbook is a useful source of reference over the coming year to help you with the procedures for various aspects of our care. I have tried to include as much useful information as possible, concentrating on the areas of school life about which questions are often asked. If the information you need is not in the handbook, please do not hesitate to contact myself, the school office or your child’s class teacher to find out the answers. If you would like a meeting with myself, at any time, please do arrange an appointment via the school secretary: Miss Greatbanks. This handbook can also be viewed on the school website and a copy is available to view in the entrance hall to the school. If you require a paper version of the handbook, please go to the school office and we will be happy to print one for you. I look forward to seeing the school full of life again in September and I would like to wish you all an excellent term and a productive and rewarding year. I look forward to watching all of your children become the best that they can be! Miss Emily Bagnall Head of Prep School

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Contents Page

Welcome

Early years staff

School staff

School Structure

Policies and more information

Useful information for parents of children starting in Prep 1

Useful information for parents of children starting in Prep 2

How you can support your child at home

A day in Prep 1

A day in Prep 2

Transition

Key Person

Parents as partners

Extra activities and events

A-Z General Information

Absence

Accidents, illness and exclusion periods

Achievements and behavioural expectations

Admission into the Prep school from Prep 1

Car parking

Fire and evacuation

Food and drink-Eat better Start Better Menu

Health and safety

Holiday Club (Prep 2)

Holiday requests

Homework

Learning Support

Learning Beyond the classroom

Medication

Pastoral care

PTA

Reporting to Parents and Assessment

Safeguarding children

Staff ratios in EYFS

Text messaging

Uniform and appearance

Useful emergency contacts

Vouchers for childcare

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Early Years Staff

Miss. J Taylor- Prep 2 Class Teacher jtaylor@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Miss. G Madden – Prep 1 Class Teacher gmadden@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Miss. L Smith – Nursery Assistant (Prep 2)

Miss. C Kelly – Nursery Assistant (Prep 1)

Mrs. G Libbey – Nursery Assistant (Prep 1)

School Staff

Miss E Bagnall

head@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Mrs. L Waghorn- Deputy Head/Class teacher

Lwaghorn@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Miss. L Bagnall -Office Manager

office@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

Miss. K Greatbanks-School Secretary

admin@clarendoncottage-school.co.uk

School Structure

Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School Ltd is a registered company. A board of directors are responsible for the overall running of the school. (Mr. J Bagnall, Mrs. S McWilliams, Mrs. S Curtis, Miss. E Bagnall, Miss. E Bagnall and Miss L Wakefield). The directors have appointed a Governing Advisory Body (GAB) to support the Head in the school’s development. The GAB consists of: Mrs. E Bagnall (Chair), Miss E Bagnall (Head) Mrs. L Aspinall, Miss. L Wakefield (Director)

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Policies and More information

For more information about the school, staff members are always available to answer

any questions, give you more information and help, as you and your child get to know

us. Policies and procedures are available from the school office on request.

These include:

Complaints Procedure Policy

Equality of Opportunities Policy

Failure to Collect a Child Policy

Safeguarding Children Policy

Lost Child Policy

Special Educational Needs and Disability Policy

EYFS Policy

Tapestry Policy

Useful information for parents of children starting in Prep 1

Before your child starts in Prep 1, they will be invited for some visits where they can

meet their teachers and take a look at their new class. This gives the child an

opportunity to become familiar with their new surroundings and also form a positive

relationship with their Key Person to ensure a more settled start when parents come to

leave on their first day. We also use the first transition meetings/visits to speak with you

as parents/guardians to gain your expertise on your child to get to know their interests

and their development.

The settling in period may differ from child to child, and is carried out at the child’s own

pace. Prep 1 staff are always on hand to answer any queries you may have about certain

settling in strategies.

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Useful information for parents of children starting in Prep 2

Whether your child has been with us since Prep 1, attended Monton Village Nursery or

The Cottage Nursery or are completely new, all Early Years staff will ensure that your

child has a smooth transition into Prep 2 (Reception).

Initially we start with some short visits where your child can become increasingly

familiar with their new teacher Miss Taylor, their new surroundings and can meet a few

new friends. Your child will already be very familiar with Miss Taylor and the other

children transitioning from Prep 1. During the transition visits, Miss Taylor will do some

more focused activities, get to know your child and arrange further visits so that some

of those first day nerves will fade away in preparation for when your child starts.

How you can support your child at home

All the fun activities that you do with your child at home are important in supporting

their learning and development, and have a really long lasting effect on your child’s

learning as they progress through school.

If you make the time every day to do some of the following things with your child it will

make a real difference to your child’s confidence as a young learner.

All of our EYFS staff love hearing about what your child has been doing at home so

please bring in photographs, favourite story books or artefacts from days out you have

had. We also have Tapestry, our online learning journeys for your child. We welcome

observations of your own to be uploaded on here too to share your child’s experiences

from home. This makes our links with learning at home stronger and enables us to tailor

activities to your child’s individual interests.

Your child will bring home a reading folder containing a sound book, the Oxford Reading

Tree scheme characters and when they are ready, they will be given Oxford Reading

Tree reading books and flashcards. You can support your child at home by going

through these on a regular basis (we recommend at least once a week). This is the most

important activity to share at home with your child if you have only have limited time

available each week; the sharing of this activity will really bolster your child’s early

literacy and help secure vital skills needed to access all areas of the curriculum as they

progress through the EYFS and into the Infant department. Reading is a core skill that

can only be taught successfully with parental partnership.

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Talk about the numbers, colours,

words and letters you see when

you are out and about

Sing and tell

nursery rhymes/

share a book Allow your child to cut out

and stick pictures from

magazines

Plant seeds or bulbs in a

pot or garden patch

Cook / bake

together

Use the weather – shadows,

rain puddles, snow, wind, mist

and sun – to extend your

child’s vocabulary

Explore the park at a different time of

the year – go off the beaten track

Talk to your child at

every opportunity – e.g.

what you are doing that

day

Look at their observations on Tapestry with

your child, to encourage them to talk about

their day and upload experiences from home

also so we can discuss whilst at school.

On a trip to the

supermarket, talk

about all the

different packaging

shapes

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A day in Prep 1

From 7.30-8.30am (8.00am for Nursery Grant children) your child

is welcome to join us for breakfast club in the main hall. At

8.30am Prep 1 children will be taken into their classes for their

focused provision time where a lovely balance of child initiated

and adult led activities will take place to ensure all seven areas of

the EYFS are covered, alongside our reading sessions. On Friday

morning’s prep 1 join the whole school for an assembly at

9:10am, where certificates for the week will be presented by the

Head teacher. Each week your child will also read following the

Oxford Reading Tree scheme. A full explanation is given on the

reading information sheet that will be within your child’s

reading folder.

Snack time is between 10:00am and 10:30am. We run a ‘rolling

snack’ routine which means the children develop their

independence by helping themselves to snack and talking care

of their hygiene needs with ‘observing supervision’ by a staff

member. By offering a ‘rolling snack’ system children are able

to choose if they want snack and they can continue to be

engaged in their activities around the room/outdoors. Each day a different snack is

served to ensure all children receive a healthy and balanced diet.

Dinner time for Prep 1 is served at 11.30am, this, like the snack

menu, is based on a three-week rotation. We have been awarded

the ‘Eat Better, Start Better’ award from Salford LEA for ensuring

healthy options. Prep 1 children have their lunch in the main hall.

After lunch, the children will then access continuous provision,

such as painting, construction, role play and the outside area until

2pm when they will then return to their classroom for their

focused provision time. A light tea is served at 3.30pm, again this

is on a rotation. Continuous provision is then provided until 6pm.

At 5pm the children join the after school club in the main hall and / or outdoors.

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A day in Prep 2

At 8.50am when Mrs Hartley rings the bell, Prep 2 children will go

into their classroom and put away their coats, bags and reading

folders. At this time you are welcome to pop into class and have

a chat with Miss Taylor if needed. Children who have joined us

for breakfast club will be brought into the classroom too. Your

child will start the day by participating in a morning circle time to

greet each other and allow Miss Taylor to do the morning

register. Prep 2 attend assemblies on Tuesday morning and

Friday morning at 9:10am.

Each morning Miss Taylor will do a Maths, English and Phonics lesson to further develop

their numeracy, writing and reading skills.

At 10:15am the children will come together for snack (they can either bring in their own

or buy from the school’s healthy tuck shop that is run by our Student Council). Then the

children will take part in playtime outside with the rest of the infants.

Lunch is served at 12.20pm. Prep 2 go into the main hall and join with the other infant

classes and then go out to play until 1.20pm. (On Monday lunch is served at 1pm)

During the afternoon in Prep 2, the children will take part in various

Art, D&T, Geography and History activities, mainly based around the

topic for that term, as well as Science, ICT, Computing, R.E/PSHCE,

Spanish and P.E. Children will still be able to access learning in the

environment through the continuous provision. There will be

different activities set out for the children to take part in as well as

challenges.

When there is an additional member of staff the children will access indoor and outdoor

continuous provision to extend the children’s learning.

A more structured afternoon playtime is at 2.30pm where the children can still access

the outdoor activities but can also burn off their energy after concentrating so hard in

lesson time!

At the end of the day Miss Taylor will make sure that all children

have got their homework books and reading folders to take home.

The children will then come together to listen to a story before

home time which is at 3.50pm. You will be able to collect your child

from the Prep 2 classroom. If your child is going to after school club

Miss Taylor will take them into the hall.

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There are extra-curricular activities offered for your child to participate with. On a Monday morning there is gym club, and on a Wednesday afternoon there is dance. (Please see Miss Greatbanks for more information and charges on gym club) Prep 1 children moving into Prep 2 – Gym club is not compulsory, it is an extra-curricular activity that your child can participate in, if you wish them to. Every child’s physical educational needs are met through the curriculum accessed by all, but Gym Club provides a great opportunity to extend their skill set and further an interest in Gymnastics. Children who choose not to participate in gym club with stay with the class teacher and will take part in planned activities such as Guided reading, additional ICT or Handwriting development.

Transition

Prep 1 (Nursery) to Prep 2 (Reception) through to Key Stage 1 (Prep 3 and 4)

Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School is a close family. The staff and pupils all know

each other and there are excellent relationships throughout the school with the older

and younger children.

There are a variety of times that the whole school join together such as assemblies and

to share work.

At some points in the week, Prep 2 children join Prep 1 in their current EYFS outdoor

area and participate in activities planned for outdoors. This helps Prep 1 children to

develop relationships with Prep 2 teachers.

Prep 2 have allocated time with Key Stage 1 children in

preparation for their transition. They have their lunch at the same

time followed by outside play. Prep 2 join the Key Stage 1 children

on their school trip in the spring and summer terms. Prep 2 join

Prep 1 and the sister nurseries on their Christmas trip too. The

children also join together during the summer term for one

afternoon a week when they develop their athletic skills in

preparation for Sport’s Day.

Prep 1 children join Monton Village Nursery (sister nursery) and The Cottage Nursery on

their school trips. This allows strong friendship bonds to be developed as these classes

feed into the Prep 2 class in September.

During the summer term, the Prep 1 children have visits to the Prep 2 class taking part

in different activities and familiarising themselves with the classroom and the Prep 2

teacher.

When Prep 1 children are moving into Prep 2, the class teacher, key person and new

teacher will have a meeting to discuss the specific needs and abilities of each child. The

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Prep 1 teacher will fill out an ‘Am I Prep 2 Ready?’ and ‘Passport to Prep 2’ so that the

new teacher has accurate knowledge of all areas of development for each child.

When Prep 1 children are leaving to an external setting the class teacher, Miss Taylor

and Mrs Maclean, contacts the new school by telephone and assists in preparing those

children for visits. The key person also fills out a ‘Here I Come’ for when the child leaves

Clarendon Cottage School.

When Prep 2 children are moving into Key Stage 1, the Prep 2 teacher and Prep 3

teacher will have a transition meeting and the Prep 2 teacher will fill out ‘Passport to

Prep 3’ so that the new teacher has accurate knowledge of all areas of development for

each child. The Prep 3 teacher will also be given a copy of the EYFS profile results to see

in what areas the child is ‘Emerging’ ‘Expected’ or ‘Exceeding’.

Key Person

Children thrive from a base of loving and secure

relationships. A Key Person is a named member of staff

with responsibilities for a small group of children who

helps those children in the group feel safe and cared

for. The role is an important one and an approach set

out in the EYFS which is working successfully in Nursery

and in Reception classes. It involves the Key Person

responding sensitively to children’s feelings and

behaviours and meeting emotional needs by giving

reassurance, such as when they are new to a setting or class, and supporting the child’s

well-being. That person is a familiar figure who is accessible and available as a point of

contact for parents and one who builds relationships with the child and parents or

carers.

Records of development and care are created and shared by the Key Person, parents

and the child. Small groups foster close bonds between the child and the Key Person in a

way that large groups cannot easily do. These groups allow the Key Person to better

‘tune into’ children’s play and their conversations to really get to know the children in

the group well. Children feel settled and happy and are more confident to explore and

as a result become more capable learners.

What will my child’s Key Person do?

*Work hard to develop secure and trusting relationships with you and your child.

*Warmly welcome you all into our school and work exceptionally hard to settle your

child into their new environment.

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*Observe and play with your child to see how they are progressing in their learning and

development in the seven areas of the EYFS.

*Ensure that information on your child’s progress is shared with you and other family

members regularly.

*Provide lots of fun and educational activities that suit your child’s age and stage of

development.

*Provide a secure environment for your child whilst they are away from home.

*Gain an excellent understanding of the needs, feelings and preferences of your child.

*Support your child through the different stages of development and to identify what

they need to develop even further.

*To enable our Key Person role to be as effective as it can be, we have set activity times

with our group of Key children. We will also sit together as a group during our snack

times.

Your child’s Key Person is your first port of call and she will be available each day to

discuss anything with you such as what your child has enjoyed doing throughout the day

and their progress. If your child’s Key Person is not available, please feel welcome to

speak with any of the other Prep 1 staff. When your child joins the nursery class you will

be given information about who your child’s Key Person will be. You will also have a

meeting with your child’s key to discuss their individual needs and starting points.

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Extra Activities and Events

On a Monday morning, Prep 1 take part in Gym Club

provided by a wonderful, fully qualified Gym instructor.

We also have weekly class music lessons from Miss

Johnson who is a peripatetic music teacher on Friday

afternoons. Prep 1 also take part in Dance lessons on

Wednesday afternoons with our specialist dance teacher

and the teachers conduct weekly PE sessions on

Thursday mornings so a P.E kit comprising of a white t-

shirt, white shorts and black pumps is required.

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Throughout the year there are lots of exciting

events for the children and to take part in such

as World Book day, fundraisers, PTA events,

Sports day, Cinema nights etc. Please make

sure you always check the newsletter which is

emailed monthly, so that you always know

what is coming up in the following few weeks.

We also have a school Facebook page where

you can keep up to date with different events.

A-Z of General Information

Absence

If your child is ill please notify the school office as soon as possible and they will advise you about any exclusion periods that may apply. The office will then inform the class teacher. Although we prefer appointments to be made for after school or during school holidays, we understand that this cannot always be arranged. A note, addressed to your child’s class teacher, is all that is required.

Accidents, illness and exclusion periods

The School has a well-equipped sick room, and several members of staff who hold certificates in Paediatric First Aid. Strict procedures to cope with accidents or illness are laid down. It is essential that we have an up to date daytime contact number at which a parent, friend or grandparent, can be found if problems arise. Please indicate on the contact information sheet the best number for us to use in the unlikely event of an emergency. Please inform school immediately of any changes made to contact details. In order for us to care for your child, it is important that we are kept fully informed of all matters affecting his/her welfare. Please note that there is a 48 hour exclusion period for episodes of sickness and diarrhoea (from last occurrence). Please find below a list of exclusion periods for infectious diseases. This is also on our Parents notice board in Prep 1.

Illness Exclusion period

Chickenpox 5 days from onset of rash

Conjunctivitis No exclusion period

German measles 5 days from outbreak of rash

Hand, foot and mouth None if child is well enough to attend

Headlice None once the child is being treated

Impetigo From the onset until blisters/sores are scabbed and dry

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Measles 7 days from outbreak of rash

Mumps Until swelling has gone down

Ringworm None if being treated

Scabies None if being treated

Scarletina Child can return to school 24 hours after treatment has commenced

Shingles None unless rash is weeping and cannot be covered

Slapped cheek None if child is well enough to attend

Whooping cough 5 days from start of antibiotics course

Achievements and behavioural expectations

When your child joins Prep 1 they will be placed into a team house. This will be your child’s house for all the time they are at Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School. As they move through the school they will stay in the same house.

The whole school is split into 3 houses:

Ellesmere, Brindley and Bridgewater.

In Prep 1 and 2 each child has their own sticker chart. When the sticker chart is full the

child will receive one house point for their house. They can also earn extra housepoints

by being extra kind, polite, helpful etc. All children in the EYFS also participate in the

whole school assembly which is every Friday morning. Here, good behaviour and work is

rewarded in the form of certificates and a weekly merit badge. Children receiving

certificates earn extra points for their house. Each week in assembly, house point totals

are read out so that each house knows their score. At the end of the school year the

house with the most points will win. House badges are part of our school uniform and

can be purchased in the office for 30p.

Our School has a system of rules, which are essentially for safety reasons and the good

running of the School. These do not directly affect parents. However, good manners and

a respect for adults and for one another are vital elements in the life of a school, if not

in life in general, and are of the utmost importance. A brief set of rules and values have

been devised by pupils and staff and are discussed regularly with them.

For regular transgressors of the rules, there is a graduated system of sanctions and the

School will work closely with parents to resolve problems. The first point of contact for

children is always their class Teacher. Should there be repeated transgressions; the

Deputy Head (Mrs. Waghorn) becomes involved in the process of sanctions. The Head is

informed of more serious incidents, and she may choose to involve parents at this

stage. A record is kept of behavioural incidents and the School works hard to resolve

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such incidents at the earliest possible stage. When embarking on private education,

parents set out in partnership with the School to provide the very best start in life for

their children. The School has high standards and expectations, and expects that

parents will support these fully. In these days of shifting standards, it is important that

the Preparatory School seeks not to reflect society’s standards but to set its own. A copy

of the School’s Behaviour & Discipline Policy, with details of sanctions and rewards, and

how to promote good behaviour is available on request.

Admission into the Prep School from Prep 1

Children already in the nursery class will be given priority in their application to Prep 2, subject to following the acceptance procedure below. Places remaining after the internal process will then be offered to outside children.

An open morning will be held, usually in November, on a Saturday, for all prospective parents. Parents are encouraged to attend the open morning to see what excellent education we provide in Prep 2 and throughout the school. If you are unable to attend, you can book a viewing of the school at a time that is mutually convenient as we would be delighted to share with you what we have to offer. We will advise you of the application procedure in the Autumn term preceding your child’s entry into Prep 2. An application form must be completed, which is available from the school office. A formal letter will then be sent out. Acceptance of a place is achieved by paying the place deposit within the fixed period of time, although applications for Prep 2 can be made at any time.

Car Parking Please note that the school car park is for staff and visitors only and not for dropping off or picking up your children in. Parking restrictions (8.00am – 5.00pm) on Clarendon Road mean that cars can only be parked on the far side of the road so at busy times it is best to use the zebra crossing and parking at the back of the green across from Half Edge Lane. These are designed with safety in mind and to help avoid congestions and accidents – your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

Fire and Evacuation

If the fire alarm sounds, the priority is to calmly and quietly evacuate the school. The

meeting point is in the playground, Instructions for evacuations are posted on all doors

from classrooms, the hall and the kitchen. Any visitors should be evacuated by the

member of staff that they have come to see. If the fire alarm rings near the time

children are being collected then all parents and children must stay onsite while we

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account for all of the pupils. Instructions will then be given as to when it is permissible

to leave the site with your child.

Food and Drink-Eat Better Start Better Menu

Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School is dedicated to providing an environment that promotes healthy eating and enables pupils to make informed choices about the food they eat. This will be achieved by the whole school approach to food and nutrition documented in this whole school food policy. This policy applies to the whole school, including the EYFS and is related to the meals, snacks and drinks that are provided by school. Its main aims are:

To enable pupils to make healthy food choices through the provision of information and development of appropriate skills and attitudes.

To provide healthy food choices throughout the school day.

The school provides a free supply of drinking water throughout the day, and actively

encourages children to bring in water bottles so that they have easy access to drinking

water (please note that only water is to be used). Children within the Early Years

department access jugs of water within their classroom.

The types, amounts and frequency of food and drink are those recommended by the

School Food Trust. The lunch, breakfast and snack (nursery children only) menu works

on a three week rotation. Prep School children follow the ‘Healthy Schools’ Guidelines

for their snacks.

Children have access to breakfast if they attend our Before School Club. Snacks are

available mid-morning, with lunch served over three sittings. A light tea is provided for

all nursery children, and those attending After School Club. Please have a look at our

school menu. The school provides a tasty menu as well as offering a vegetarian option

at lunch every day. If required, the school also provides a vegan option.

Individual care plans are created for pupils with special dietary requirements where

needed. These document symptoms and adverse reactions, actions to be taken in an

emergency, and emergency contact details, along with any particular food requirements

e.g. for high-energy diets. All staff are made aware of any food allergies/food

intolerance/medical diets/preferences and requests for these diets are submitted

according to an agreed process and reviewed annually.

Morning Break

Your child may have school milk if you wish. Under current arrangements children

under 5 are entitled to free milk.

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If your child is in Prep 2 they are entitled to free milk for the whole year and from Prep 3

up they can receive 1/3 pint per day. Milk order forms will be sent out with the ‘Start of

year’ pack for you to order your child’s milk for the following year.

In Prep 2, a snack may be brought into school and eaten at the morning break. Our

Student Council organise and run a ‘School Tuck Shop’ at break times that children are

permitted to purchase their snacks from. We would suggest your child bringing in

around 50 pence to purchase their snack with. The Tuck Shop is a good way for children

to feel ‘grown up’ and responsible. Water in ‘sports cap’ bottles, clearly named, may be

sent to school. Children are allowed access to water bottles throughout the school day.

We believe that children concentrate better if they do not become dehydrated. Bottles

should be taken home each day for cleaning and refilling. Prep 1 children are given a

mid-morning healthy snack, but may bring their own as long as it conforms to our

‘healthy school’s policy.’

School Snacks and Tuck Shops

We feel that it is very important that we are in agreement as to what we encourage the

children to either buy from our healthy tuck shop or bring from home. In accordance

with the government guidelines for food – based standards, for all school foods: We

recommend that the following items are consumed at snack time:

*Whole pieces of fruit e.g. Banana, apple, pear, Satsuma, grapes.

*Fruit pots of sliced/chopped fresh fruit in natural juice e.g. melon, berries, and apple.

*Canned fruit in natural juice e.g. peaches, pears, pineapple, mandarins.

*Dried fruit without added fat sugar or salt e.g. apricots, raisins, banana chips and

dates.

*Salad pots.

*Crudities, vegetable sticks with healthy dips.

*Vegetable accompaniments, tomatoes, raw vegetables such as carrots, peppers,

cucumber or celery.

*Yoghurt or fromage frais (plain or fruit)

*English muffins, crumpets, bagels with vegetable spread or butter (no jam, honey etc).

*Plain currant/ raisin bread/ malt loaf with vegetable spread or butter (no jam, honey

etc).

*Packets of seeds without added fat or sugar.

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*Skimmed or semi – skimmed milk – available from school at a cost.

*Fruit juice or vegetable juice – For consumption at break time.

*Plain soya or rice drinks enriched with calcium – For consumption at break time.

*Plain yoghurt drinks – For consumption at break time.

*Plain water – For consumption in class.

We hope you will feel able to support us in this matter. Thank you for your co-

operation.

Health and Safety

We have a Health and Safety Committee made up of seven members from within the

wider organisation that carry out regular audits and inspections of all Health and Safety

matters.

Holiday Club for Prep 2 children.

Prep 1 is open all year round except Bank Holidays and the Christmas closure from

7.30am-6.00pm.

For children in Prep 2, Holiday Club is provided during all holidays except during Bank

Holidays and the Christmas closure, here at the school. The earliest drop off is 7.30am

and the latest collection is 6.00pm. Breakfast and afternoon tea are provided, but

children must bring a packed lunch. Holiday club is organised by senior and experienced

school staff and they plan activities for the children - there are games, use of

computers, art and craft, outside play, sports, projects etc. Children can bring their own

games if they wish, and share these with their friends. Children usually look forward to

holiday club; they often see it as a chance to play with their friends in the holidays.

Holiday requests

From Prep 2 upwards, it is expected that parents will ensure that they book their family holidays during the school’s published breaks so that pupils do not miss important lesson time. Should absence due to holidays be unavoidable during term time, permission from the Head must be sought in advance of booking to ensure that the absence is authorised. Unauthorised absences are reportable to the relevant government department. Please avoid late holiday requests or bookings made prior to permission being sought. Class teachers’ discretion applies regarding whether work can be set and parents should be aware that there is no real substitute for teacher led lessons. All holiday requests must be completed on a form which is available from the school office.

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Homework

We consider homework to be an extension of our pupils’ learning. It is also an opportunity for parents to become closely involved with their child’s education and for them to provide necessary support and encouragement, and should be completed at home. Although homework is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. It is also important that children are heard to read regularly and a short, special time should be set aside each evening when you and your child can share a book. For children in Prep 1 the class teacher will set activities and reading for you to do at home with your child and will tailor homework to the individual needs of your child. In Prep 2 pupils are issued with homework diaries in which they should note down their homework. Parents should sign the homework diary each evening once the work is completed. Class teachers will monitor the use of the diary and may use the diary to note messages for your attention. Homework should take no longer than about 10-15 minutes in Prep 2. A slightly longer task may be set for weekends. Parents may help with homework if necessary, but should annotate the bottom of the work accordingly to help the class teacher assess any difficulties. Homework may be a continuation of a lesson’s work, reading, learning or some research around a new topic, usually focusing on the core subjects of English and Mathematics.

Learning Support

How does Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School cater for children with Special

Educational Needs, disability or EAL?

A child has SEND if she or he has a learning difficulty that calls for special educational

provision to be made for her or him.

A child has a learning difficulty if she or he:

Has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of

the same age.

Has a disability that either prevents or hinders the child from making use of

existing facilities or resources for children of the same age in the Early Years.

A child must not be regarded as having a learning difficulty solely because the language

or language of the home is different from the language in which she or he will be

taught.

The Government’s Early Learning Goals & Development Matters 2014 sets out what

most children will have achieved by the end of the foundation stage/school reception

year. Children will progress at different rates during the foundation stage. In our

commitment to early intervention and the unique child we assess children’s

development and progress through analysing the individual children’s trackers and ECAT

forms. Where we believe that a child is not achieving development goals and there is a

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widening gap between that child and their peers, in one or more areas of development,

then we will begin a graduated approach to aid that child to succeed.

First we will speak to parents to seek their opinion and to discuss how the child can best

be helped. We aim to make any reasonable adjustments to our setting required by

individual children or parents.

After initial observation, if it is felt that an area of special education needs has been

identified and that current provision is not enabling the child to make satisfactory

progress the setting will then intervene through the graduated approach. At this point

the SENCO, the parents/carers and the child’s key person working together to write an

individual education plan (Play Plan) to identify how the child will be given extra

support. Play Plans will be reviewed every 6 weeks by the SENCO, the child’s key person

and the parents. At this point the child would begin to receive targeted 1:1 sessions

with their key person and/or SENCO to focus on their unique and specific targets. The

frequency of these sessions would depend on how often the child attends the setting

and their progress. Should this group, and particularly the parent, decide that the child

needs further support then outside agencies will be contacted as appropriate, see

below. Internal school support will continue to be provided until the child is on track

with their peers and it is felt that they are achieving their objectives independently.

No outside agencies will be contacted without parental permission. For more

information, parents can see SEND policy. The named SENCO in our school is Miss

Taylor. More information about SEND and supporting additional needs in nurseries and

schools can be found on the following websites-

https://www.salford.gov.uk/children-needs.htm

https://www.salford.gov.uk/sen-help1.htm

https://www.salford.gov.uk/localoffer.htm

Pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL) The School is able to cater for children for whom English is a second language. Where required, class teachers develop programmes specifically to meet the needs of children with little or no English. We are able to support these children through individual sessions or within the classroom. The named EAL Co-Ordinator is Miss J Taylor.

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Learning beyond the classroom

In the autumn term Prep 1 and Prep 2 join together

for their school trip. The classes also join with other

classes of the same age from Monton Village Nursery

and The Cottage Nursery. The trips are educational

and usually linked with the current Topic. The

children always have plenty to do and workshops are

included. Once the trip has been organised the class

teacher will let you know all of the details and we

invite parent helpers to come along.

In the spring and summer term Prep 2 join with the

Prep 3 and 4 for their school trip. Again this will be

organised by the teachers and will be linked to the

Topic for the term wherever possible.

Prep 1 will still go on their school trip with the other

Nursery classes. Again the trips are organised by class

teachers who will let you know all of the details as the

trip gets closer. The children will usually go in their

school uniform and will require a packed lunch.

Risk assessments are always completed for both the

venue and the coach. Statutory guidance for ratios is

maintained throughout the trip and there is always a

staff member trained in Paediatric First Aid with the

children at all times.

When your child is in Prep 1, payment for school trips

is made separately from your child’s fees. When your

child moves into Prep 2 and continues through the

school, the payment for educational trips is included within the monthly or termly fees.

Medication

Non-Prescription Medicines Only prescribed medicines prescribed by a doctor, nurse or dentist, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen may be administered at school. A consent form is sent out annually for permission to be given. Please provide a bottle of Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen for

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your child, as others children’s medication cannot be given to your child. We do not carry spares of these items as regulations require children to have their own. Therefore if your child does not have any in school and becomes poorly we will request that you either collect your child or drop medicine off if required. Health & Safety nominated staff will inform you if your child’s medicine is close to expiring or running low so new can be provided. Prescribed Medication In the event of your child requiring taking medication which has been prescribed by your doctor, nurse or dentist, this must be brought to school in the prescribed bottle from the pharmacy, clearly labelled with your child’s name and dosage. All details of the medicine and its administration will be entered into the medicine book, which parents must sign at the top at the start of the day and sign when collecting their child. Please inform staff if medication needs to be kept in the fridge. Inhalers If your child has a prescribed inhaler please make sure a spare (with spacer) inhaler is kept in school at all times. It must be brought into school in the box with the prescription label attached, displaying your child’s name and must be in date.

Pastoral Care

All class teachers and (key people in the EYFS) show care and concern for all of the children within the school. As a school, children’s emotional and physical wellbeing is our first priority and we will do everything to support all children. In our regular staff meetings, we will confidentially discuss any issues that may alter a child’s behaviour so that all staff are aware of any sensitive issues. This may include things like a pet passing away or a relative being sick. In order to ensure the welfare of our children it is helpful for us to be aware of any family circumstance or events that may affect a child. Please speak with your child’s class teacher or key person if any issues arise and as a whole staff we will sensitively help in whatever way we can.

PTA

The PTA organises events throughout the year where the emphasis is on fun, getting to know other families in School and raising funds. Regular events include Christmas and Summer fairs, whilst themed events such as a Halloween party and Cinema nights are held annually. All parents are warmly invited to join the PTA, who meet on the first Friday each month during term-time. Assistance at events is especially welcome and many parents are able to offer help on these occasions.

Reporting to parents and assessment

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At Clarendon Cottage Preparatory School we pride ourselves in developing excellent relationships with parents. In Prep 1 you will receive 6 reports a year, 3 specific reports and 3 prime reports which will detail your child’s progress in the relevant areas. In Prep 2 your child will receive two formal reports a year that will tell you about how your child is progressing in each of the areas of learning. You will also be invited for a meeting with the class teacher who will talk through the EYFS tracker so you can see how well your child is progressing towards the Early Learning Goals and what their next steps are. These meeting will happen twice a year in Prep 1 and Prep 2. Parents are encouraged to view and contribute to their child’s learning journey via Tapestry, our online version of your child’s development. All children’s work, photos, observations and progress is recorded and these are readily available in the classroom and online for you to look at. In the early years, we use Tapestry which is an online learning journal so that you can access observations, photographs and videos to see what your child is learning on a daily basis. While your child is settling in you will be asked to sign up to Tapestry by providing your email and you will then be given a password and instructions on how to download the Tapestry App. Tapestry is an excellent, instant way for you to be involved in your child’s learning journey. Baseline assessment

When a child enters either Prep 1 or Prep 2, a ‘starting points’ assessment will be

conducted with you as parents, guardians on their initial visits for your child. Staff will

observe the child during their first visits and upon starting in our setting and will

conduct the assessment relevant for their age group. This will be usually done by the

class teacher on a 1:1 basis. Using the information from the starting points assessment

and observations on the child, staff will consider where the child is according to the

‘Developmental months’ for each area of learning. Parents will also be involved in this

process as we believe that parents know their child best. We will collaborate all of this

gathered information to create a true picture of your child. This will then be recorded

on Tapestry and the baseline will be locked two weeks after your child has started with

us. We can then look at what your child’s next steps are.

What is the EYFS tracker?

The EYFS tracker is a tool used throughout Salford as a way to monitor and record your

child’s progress in the seven areas of learning. Within each area, staff will use their ‘best

fit’ judgement based on observations to decide as to how a child is working within each

area of learning. This will tell us whether a child is ‘emerging’, ‘developing’ or ‘secure’

within their developmental age bracket.

Data collected from the Tapestry observations will be analysed by the end of each term.

A copy of the analysis is then given to the Head of Prep and a copy to the Early Years Co-

Ordinator. Tracking and monitoring meetings will then be held to discuss the progress

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of each child and put into action any further measures that need to take place in order

for each child to achieve their full potential.

Every day a member of the EYFS staff will chat to you about how your child has spent their day, what they have eaten, what they have enjoyed and who they have played with.

Safeguarding children

Clarendon Cottage fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection through

safeguarding children. Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers working in the

school. There are five main elements to our policy:

Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the ongoing suitability of staff

and volunteers to work with children.

Raising awareness of child protection issues with staff through internal and

external training opportunities and equipping children with the skills needed to

keep them safe.

Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting

cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.

Supporting pupils who have been abused in accordance with his/her agreed

child protection plan.

Establishing a safe environment in which children can learn and develop.

We have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate

training, including inter-agency training, every two years, and support for this role. This

is the head teacher, and the designated deputy is the deputy head. In their absence, or

in the case that the allegation is about them, the chair of governors Liz Bagnall should

be informed.

We will endeavour to:

Send all staff on Child Protection courses every three years, and ensure that the

designated person will refresh every two years.

Ensure every member of staff (including temporary and supply staff and

volunteers) knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for

child protection, their role and also have the Safeguarding procedures explained

to them.

Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to

the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designated

senior person responsible for child protection, and that they know there is

immunity from disciplinary actions from reporting such a concern.

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Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the

school and staff for child protection by setting out its obligations in the school

prospectus, and by having this policy on display.

Notify social services if there is an unexplained absence of more than two days

of a pupil who is on the child protection register.

Develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with

their enquiries regarding child protection matters including attendance at case

conferences.

Keep written records of concerns about children, even where there is no need to

refer the matter immediately- see staff handbook regarding the Incident Book.

Ensure all records are kept securely; separate from the main pupil file, and in

locked locations. Information in relation to child protection concerns should be

shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to

child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary.

Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a

member of staff or volunteer.

Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed

Refer suspected cases of abuse to the Salford’s ‘Bridge’ team readily and

speedily, and always within 24 hours, whenever an allegation or disclosure of

abuse is made.

Report to the ISA (Independent Safeguarding Authority) within one month of

leaving the school any person whose services are no longer used because he or

she is considered unsuitable to work with children (and that failure to do so

constitutes an offence). ISA- Box 181, Darlington DL 1 9FA

Ensure that any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are

remedied without delay.

Obtain assurance that appropriate Child Protection checks apply to staff of

another organisation who may work with pupils on another site.

Staff ratios in EYFS

3-4 year olds with no qualified teacher 1:8

3-4 year olds with a qualified teacher 1:13

We ensure that there is a ratio of 50% qualified level 2+ staff at all times. All of the EYFS

staff members are paediatric first aid trained and therefore a paediatric first aider is on

site at all times and attending school trips/ short outings.

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Text Messages

The school operates a text messaging service which we use to remind parents of

upcoming events or inform them of cancelled clubs etc. if you wish to opt out of this

service please let the office know.

Uniform and appearance

All uniform is a compulsory part of school life including Prep 1 (blazers are optional for Prep 1 children). Please ensure that ALL items are clearly named.

Boys Bottle green blazer with school badge Bottle green cagoule or duffle coat Green and yellow school tie. Bottle green pullover Grey trousers/ summer term grey shorts White shirt Grey socks Black shoes Girls Bottle green blazer with school badge Bottle green cagoule or duffle coat Green and yellow school tie and white shirt Bottle green cardigan Grey pinafore or skirt White socks Optional for Autumn and Spring - grey or bottle green Ribbed tights Black flat shoes Summer uniform (summer term): Green and white checked dress Black Shoes (flat) P.E. Kit (Boys and Girls) Black plimsoles/non mark trainers Named plimsole bag Black shirt (available from whittakers) Black PE shorts (available from whittakers) Uniform available at the School School tie: Regular £3.00, Elastic £2.75 Button badge (school house): 30p

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Uniform available to order from supplier School blazer, Green fleece/cagoule, School book bag, PE bag, PE kits, Green school satchel and other items of uniform are available from our uniform supplier Whittakers in Swinton. 123-125 Chorley Road Swinton Manchester Lancashire M27 4AA Or visit www.whittakersschoolwear.co.uk/Swinton Appearance Earrings - Children with pierced ears must only wear small, flat studs that fit flush with the ear lobe, in plain Gold or Silver. Hoops, sleepers and more decorative studs are not allowed. They can form a serious hazard during Games and PE and sometimes even during class activities. Any child wearing such earrings who cannot remove them for a Games or PE lesson will automatically miss that lesson and we will not expect to see him/her wearing such items in school again. The school will accept no responsibility for any earrings that are lost if a child has been asked to remove them. All parents are requested that if ears are to be pierced, they are done so during the long, summer holidays in order to give them time to heal. Parents may well be asked to ensure that they are removed if pierced during other times of the year. Necklaces, Bracelets, Rings etc.- It is the school policy that we do not want children in

school wearing these items – for the same reasons i.e. safety, loss and effect on

uniform. The school is not the place for decoration and fashion. Children wearing such

items will be asked to remove them for Games and PE lessons and the school will not

take responsibility if they are lost.

Watches - Pupils may wear watches in school, provided that they are plain and sensible.

For Games and PE the teacher will remind children wearing watches to remove them.

Children should be responsible enough to look after their watches – the school will not

accept liability for loss or damage.

Hair Adornment - Hair should be neat and tidy and if long should be tied back in some

way. Small, neat bobbles, ribbons etc are expected, preferably in the school colours –

yellow or green. Decorated, floral or brightly coloured bobbles, headbands, slides etc

should not be worn in school – they are out of keeping with the school uniform.

Ultra-extreme haircuts, (especially shaving, lettering or colouring) will be frowned upon.

Nail varnish is not permitted at school.

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Useful and emergency contacts

*If you are worried a child is being abused or neglected, you should call 0161 603 4500.

*Salford Police Non-Emergency 0161 856 5228

*If a child is in immediate danger you should always call 999.

*Clarendon Cottage School is part of the Independent Schools Association 020 7710

9900

Vouchers for childcare

Many companies now have a childcare voucher scheme. The vouchers are tax free and

exempt from national insurance contributions. They are a government approved, tax

efficient way of paying for childcare. If you wish to pay for nursery fees using these

vouchers then it needs to be released at the beginning of every month. You can pay

your full fees with them or set up a standing order alongside using the vouchers to

make up the difference. Unfortunately, we cannot accept vouchers for Prep School fees.

From Prep 2 upwards vouchers can be used for out of school wrap around care, and any

extra-curricular clubs.

As well as the above and 15 hours free for 3 and 4 year olds, Childcare Choices have

now introduced Tax-free Childcare online and 30 hours free to eligible parents. To find

out more about the new and existing offers, and how they can help you, please go to

the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

If you need any further information regarding this please contact Miss L Bagnall in the

office.