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Welcome toSt. Anne’s Catholic Nursery

Dear Parents and Carers,

On behalf of myself and the Nursery staff, we would like to welcome you to St. Anne’s Nursery. We hope that both you and your child will be very happy with us. At St. Anne’s we aim to provide a safe, happy and caring environment, where your child can learn to grow as an individual. This booklet aims to answer any questions you may have as a new or existing parent of St. Anne’s. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is anything else you need to know.

M BullerMargot BullerExecutive Head teacher

Key Staff in St Anne’s Nursery

Class Teacher and Key Carer Miss Stephanie Dews

Key Carer Miss Rachel France

Executive Head Mrs Margot Buller

Deputy Head Mrs Sarah Bernto

Key Stage Manager Miss Charlotte Talbot

SENCO Mrs Gemma Burnitt

Admission FormsAn admission form must be completed in full before a child can begin school. You will be asked to fill in a medical form stating any illness your child may

2 We Live, learn and love as children of God

have. Please note if you child has any allergies or asthma. If you child has asthma, please give an inhaler to your child’s teacher to be kept in school at all times.

How does the Foundation Stage work?Within the Foundation Stage we accommodate children from the ages of 2 to 4 years.

a) children who turn 4 years between September and August

b) children who turn 3 years between September and August

c) children eligible for funding for 2 year old places (the term after their 2nd birthday)

What are the times of the sessions?Children eligible for two year old funding and children from the age of 3 years old are entitled to 15 hours per week. The session times are as follows:

Morning session: 8.45 am – 11.45 am

Lunchtime Session

11.45 am – 12.30pm

Afternoon session 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Your free entitlement of 15 hours per week will be offered as either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons.You will be able to book a lunch session for £3. You will also be able to book an additional morning or afternoon session for £15 if space is available.

Daily Timetable NurseryMorning Session8:45 – doors open to parents, carers and children. Parents and carers are welcome to stay to settle the child, meet and discuss anything with their key Carer and encourage your child to engage in an activity.9:05 – Registration then Key Family group times. E.g. Counting and numbers,

RE, PSHCE, Early letters and sounds / music9:25 – Self-directed learning. Child initiated learning through play led by the


children’s interests. (Snack time will initially be at 10.15 and as term progresses available to the children between 9.30 am and 10.30am.This will include the inside and outside learning environment (approximately an hour a day).11:10 – Tidy up time. We encourage the children to take responsibility for their environment helping to tidy up.11:20 –.Group time (End of morning session 11.45 am)

11:45– 12:30 – Lunch

Afternoon Session

12.30 – doors open to parents, carers and children. Parents and carers are welcome to stay to settle the child, meet and discuss anything with their key Carer and encourage your child to engage in an activity.12.50 – Registration then Key Family group times. E.g. Counting and numbers,

RE, PSHCE, Early letters and sounds / music1.10 – Self-directed learning. Child initiated learning through play led by the children’s interests. (Snack time will initially be at 2.00 and as term progresses available to the children between 1.45 and 2.30.This will include the inside and outside learning environment (approximately an hour a day).3.00– Tidy up time. We encourage the children to take responsibility for their environment helping to tidy up.3.10 – Group time (End of afternoon session 3.30 pm)

Safeguarding childrenOur setting has a duty under the law to help safeguard children against suspected or actual ‘significant harm’. Our employment practices ensure children against the likelihood of abuse in our settings and we have a procedure for managing complaints or allegations against a member of staff.Our way of working with children and their parents ensures we are aware of any problems that may emerge and can offer support, including referral to appropriate agencies when necessary, to help families in difficulty. How does the daily routine work?In the morning all the Nursery class enter school via the side gate and through the Nursery door. At the end of the session children will be collected from the classroom.


What happens at the end of a session?Please make sure you are on time to collect your child. Children can become upset and worried if they are the last to be collected. Sometimes you may like a different family member or friend to collect your child, please inform your Key Carer.Letters are given out at the end of sessions. Nursery letters will be on blue paper. Please be aware of them as they carry useful information that affects your child. Newsletters are also downloadable from our school website.

When children first start…All children are different and have had different experiences which can affect how easily they settle. Depending on your child we might suggest you stay initially or that you leave them with us. Parents could be encouraged to leave their child for a short time at first. If your child is upset when you leave, we will always try to give you a follow up call within the session to let you know how they are getting on (usually children calm down and are happy quite quickly.) We understand how difficult this can be for your child and for you and we will do everything we can to make it less stressful.

What should my child wear?Children are here to have fun so clothes can become messy / stained. We encourage children to come to school in navy / grey leggings and jumpers with a uniform being introduced at a later date.We request that all of your child’s clothes (including coats, hats and shoes!) is carefully labelled as identical pieces of clothing become very difficult to identify when removed. UniformNursery children can wear:

- Navy sweatshirt with or without logo - Navy polo shirt - grey/navy jogging bottoms, leggings or grey skirt - shoes that cover the whole foot (no open-toed shoes) and are suitable for

outdoor play.

Optional: optional summer uniform: blue and white checked dresses

grey/navy shorts


We encourage outdoor learning and have a wonderful outside area that sometimes get muddy. Wellington boots with your child’s name in can be left in a box in the Nursery classroom. Please also provide your child with a waterproof coat.Footwear needs to be suitable for indoor and outdoor play and if possible should have fastenings children can undo and do up themselves. In the summer children should bring a sun hat and wear sun block. In winter, children will need warm coats, hats and gloves.Jewellery is not allowed in school (this includes earrings – which must be covered with tape if it is within the time when they cannot be taken out.)If your child becomes wet or dirty while at school they will be changed. If a change of clothes is not on their clothes peg, they will be sent home in Nursery clothes. Please wash them and return them to us.

Lost PropertyAny unnamed clothing will be put in a labelled box in the class room so you can pick it up on your return. Named clothing should come back to your child’s peg. Any uniform that remains there for more than half a term will be used as changes of clothing for the children as needed.

What if my child wants to bring a toy to school?As the child is settling they may want to have a familiar object from home. However once they are settled do not allow your child to bring toys or other personal possessions into Foundation Stage as these can be lost or broken. Occasionally we ask children to bring in things from home for a special occasion or in connection with something we are doing in school and in this case parents/carers will be notified by letter and on the parent’s notice board.

Where can I park?Unfortunately parents are not allowed to park outside the school gates at any time of the day as it blocks access for emergency vehicles and can be a danger to children leaving/coming to school at the different times of the day. Please park considerably for our neighbours perhaps a little further away and walk to help keep our children safe.

What if my child is ill?If your child is unable to attend Foundation Stage due to illness please inform


us immediately. The school office is manned from 8.30am 01189 375537; or send an e-mail to [email protected] . If a child becomes unwell during a session, a first aider will assess the severity of the illness and will phone you if necessary. Please supply the school with an up-to-date home address and telephone number and also details of where they can be contacted when they are at work. This is for use in the event of an accident or emergency.

It is important to remember that children who have vomited or had diarrhoea should stay at home for at least 48 hours from the last bout before returning to Foundation Stage. If your child is diagnosed with anything that is highly contagious (chicken pox, head lice, worms, hand foot and mouth etc.) please let the school know as soon as possible as we will need to watch out for symptoms in other children to try and prevent it from

spreading further. Medicines should not be brought to Foundation Stage unless the doctor prescribes a dosage of more than three times a day. You will need to complete a form before any medications (including asthma pumps) are administered in Foundation Stage.

What if my child gets hungry?At St Anne’s we have a rolling snack time so children can sit and eat fruit/veg and have a drink of milk or water during their self-directed learning times. This helps children to recognise when they are hungry or thirsty. If we have been physically active, we will encourage children to have a drink. We would ask that all children try a piece of fruit/veg to begin with as children often eat things at school that they will not eat at home. If your child really does not like milk or a particular fruit after they have given them a try, we will ask you to provide them with a healthy alternative. We often cook and so our snack food can be supplemented. If your child has special dietary requirements, please let staff know.We are proud to promote healthy eating. If your child is staying for a packed lunch, please provide healthy food in a lunch box. Generally children take sandwich, a biscuit and some fruit. Please also include a drink (no fizzy drinks please).How can we keep in touch?Your child’s Key Carer or will be available for you to speak to between 8.45-9.05 am or 12.30 – 12.50. If you would like more than a few minutes or so please ask to make an appointment.We have an e-mail address that is checked regularly. [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

How can I find out how my child is getting on?It is important that we work together to care for your child. You need to feel comfortable about exchanging information and discussing things that will benefit your child. These conversations will either need to be with your child’s Key Carer or the class teacher. A Key Carer is the person who:

· Is your main point of contact within the setting · Helps your child to become settled, happy and safe · Is responsible for your child’s care, development and

learning · Takes a careful note of your child’s progress, sharing this

with you and giving you ideas as to how you can help at home.

Each child has their own learning journey on Tapestry. You can look at these at any time and add comments in them too so that their learning journey reflects your child’s learning experience at home and at school.

How can I help with my child’s learning?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.Even when your child is very young and is not yet able to talk, talking to them helps them to learn and understand new words and ideas. 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.It is very important to foster is a love of learning and a love of books is crucial too. Please try to find time each day to read with your child. Please speak to your child’s Key Carer as often as possible about what your child has been doing, what they have enjoyed, what they need to be doing more of and what you can do at home. There are also ‘wow’ slips where you can write down what your child has achieved or particularly enjoyed at home that can be added to their learning journey. These will be available in the classroom.

What if I have a concern or a complaint?If you have even the smallest concern or complaint, please speak to your child’s Key Carer first. Your child’s Key Carer might direct you to your child’s class teacher. If their response does not resolve your concern please speak to the Foundation Stage Co-ordinator, Miss Charlotte Talbot. If you are still concerned, please contact the Executive Head, Mrs Margot Buller or the Deputy Head, Mrs Sarah Bernto.

How can I be more involved?We would be grateful if you would see Miss Dews if you would like to help


WOW!

and/or have particular skills you would like to offer.

School Fund

A voluntary contribution of 50p per week or a donation of your choice would be gratefully appreciated. This is collected on Monday in a special money box and can be paid weekly or half termly. All money received is carefully put to good use within the Nursery helping to provide ‘extras’ such as seeds or cooking ingredients. The school also has a Gift Aid scheme which allows St. Anne’s to recover tax on any donation made. This is normally paid on a monthly basis.


The Early Years Foundation Stage CurriculumChildren start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born. The care and education offered by our setting helps children to continue to do this by providing all of the children with interesting activities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.For children between the ages of two and five years, St Anne’s provides a curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS.) Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:

· Communication and language; · Physical development; and · Personal, social and emotional development.

These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:

· Literacy; · Mathematics; · Understanding the world; and · Expressive arts and design.

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The professionals teaching and supporting your child will make sure that the activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it's suitable for very young children, and it's designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child's unique needs and interests.Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.

As we are a Catholic school we have RE sessions following the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s syllabus. We also have a prayer circle time every Wednesday morning.

Communication and LanguageThis prime area focuses on:

· developing listening and attention skills · developing understanding · developing speaking skills

Foundation Stage provides opportunities for children to talk and communicate in a range of situations, to respond to adults and to each other and to practice and extend the range of their vocabulary. At group times and during the sessions children have opportunities to listen to stories and join in with rhymes. Through role play activities children develop confidence in speaking to other children and skills in listening and taking turns in conversations.

Physical DevelopmentThis prime area focuses on:

· moving and handling which develops co-ordination

· health and self-care which promote healthy living

There are opportunities for all children to develop and practice their fine and gross motor skills both indoors and outdoors. This includes focused games anddance activities. Children have the opportunity to use a range of large and small equipment and to move in different ways to develop awareness of their own bodies and the space around them. Children also increase their understanding of how their bodies work and how to keep their bodies healthy and safe. Children have access to a range of materials both indoors and outside with which to make marks and develop hand control.We actively promote healthy living and encourage children to taste different foods and help with food preparation on a regular basis.

Personal, Social and Emotional DevelopmentThis prime area of children’s development focuses on:

· developing self-confidence and self-awareness · managing feelings and behaviour · making relationships

When children join our Foundation Stage, staff support the transition from home and promote an inclusive ethos, providing opportunities for each child to become a valued member of the unit nurtured by our Key Family system.We aim to help children learn how to work, play and co-operate together. They are encouraged to respect one another feelings and cultures and to


express their own feelings in a variety of situations and contexts.Children are encouraged to make choices about what they do and about what resources they use. Through activities and experiences children develop independence and become eager to explore new learning skills.

Literacy As one of the specific areas, it covers:

· developing reading skills · developing writing skills

Children have access to a range of books in the book corners. All children are encouraged to take a book home. These books are for children to share with an adult at home although as your child learns phonics they will have books to try and read themselves using the sounds they have learnt. Please take care of our books.

We encourage writing in all parts of the setting and have a variety of writing materials for children to choose from indoors and outside. Writing includes making marks on the page which children give meaning too; this is an important part of the writing process and should be encouraged. Role play provides many opportunities for writing as does writing labels for creations they have made. ‘Having a go’ at writing is the most important thing to develop and not worrying whether it is right or not! As this is the attitude needed for a child to succeed as a writer.

Mathematics

As one of the specific areas, it covers:· developing knowledge and understanding of number · developing understanding of shape, space and measure

Maths activities are available daily and there are always opportunities for children to extend their mathematical thinking, skills and knowledge using maths resources or everyday tasks as well as maths teaching sessions.

Through a range of practical activities children develop their understanding of number, measures, pattern, shape and space. The activities provide a broad range of


contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practice and talk about their knowledge and understanding. Activities are mostly hands on with opportunities for children who are ready to record their developing knowledge and understanding.

Understanding the WorldAs one of the specific areas, it covers:

· developing knowledge and understanding of people and communities · developing knowledge and understanding of the world environments · developing technology skills

At St Anne’s we are lucky to be part of a diverse community. Different cultures and faiths are represented and all children have the opportunity to celebrate different festivals. In this way they learn to be sensitive to the needs of and beliefs of others.In our Foundation Stage environment there are always opportunities for children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and ask questions in a variety of contexts. Through topic work we encourage children to explore and find out about their environment and to talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of their family.Children have access to a range of construction kits, big blocks, malleable materials and tools with which to work and develop their building skills both indoors and outside. Children have access to a computer with a range of software as well as programmable toys and digital cameras. In addition there is a microphone and CD player that children can use independently to listen to music, stories, rhymes or songs. Expressive Arts and DesignAs one of the specific areas, it covers:· exploring and using media materials · being imaginative Children have the opportunity to experiment with a range of painting and drawing tools and techniques, to make models using different materials and to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of art activities. Children develop skills in design and technology with the opportunity to cut and join and make models using a variety of materials. Children’s creativity is also developed through dance, movement, imaginative play and


music activities.

How does play help them to learn?At St Anne’s, whilst children are involved in self-directed learning they move freely between indoor and outdoor areas using the resources which best meet their needs. The aim of both indoor and outdoor play is to provide a stimulating environment for children’s learning in all areas of the Early Years curriculum.Outdoor play is essential for all aspects of a child’s development. As with indoor learning, the outdoor classroom can provide children with experiences which enable them to develop in the seven learning areas. The provision and planning for outdoor play, just as indoor play, must reflect the range of experiences and developing interests of the children. The adults in the outdoor learning environment are actively involved with children in their games and activities where appropriate and are not solely in a supervisory role.Nursery children have the chance to engage regularly in Forest School activities using our very own Wildlife garden. They will also have opportunities to grow vegetables in our school allotment.

What if my child needs extra help?We recognise that children have diverse learning styles and needs. We plan opportunities to build on and extend children’s knowledge, experiences, interest and skills. We use a wide range of teaching strategies based on children’s learning needs and provide a safe and supportive learning environment.Some children may be identified as having special educational needs. These children need extra help if they are able to develop their full potential and gain full access to the early years’ curriculum. If this is the case, you will be supported by our school SENCO as well as your class teacher. Our school SENCO is Mrs Burnitt.What if my child speaks English as an additional language?Children who start with English as an additional language will receive extra help from staff. They will work in small groups, playing games and reading stories to reinforce basic vocabulary linked to work and to develop the children’s confidence in speaking. The language skills of all children are valued in the Foundation Stage and children are encouraged to contribute in their own languages and to teach the class the basic words and numbers in different


languages.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you and your child.We hope you and your family enjoy your time at St Anne’s Nursery.


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