The Village Nursery School
The Village Nursery School is situated in the rural village of Greatham in a purpose built building adjoining the village hall, which incorporates a range of rooms set aside for multipurpose activities.
The Village Nursery benefits from staff who are either fully qualified or working towards a recognised childcare qualification. All staff are encouraged to take part in regular training updates as and when necessary. At least two members of staff at each session are registered first alders. All our staff are Social Services registered and have current Police checks.
We accept children from their second birthday and they start in the Bumble Bees room which is designated for 2- 3year olds. There is a wide range of toys and games, which encourage good personal and social development and help build a good foundation for maths and English. A well stocked home corner and bookshelf develops imagination and self-confidence. All the staff are happy to assist and encourage toilet training as necessary.
The Ladybirds room is for children ages 3 -4 years. This room is also equipped with toys and games that develop the six areas of learning set down by the Government Education Dept In addition there are computers that are regularly used by the children to develop their I.T. skills. The children are encouraged to develop their independence skills by helping with tidying away equipment, collecting cups for refreshments and pouring their own drinks. They help to lay the tables for lunches and clear away their own lunchboxes and plates.
The Butterflies/Quiet room is used by the Ladybirds class to develop English and maths in a more formal atmosphere. Small groups of children use this room to concentrate on pie-school activities with less interruption or distraction. A workbook is kept by each child and this may be looked at by parents at any time. This room is also used for storytime by both rooms.
We also have a messy room which is for all the children to use for painting, playdough, sand, water and any other messy activity. This is also cleared to enable us to enjoy space for P.E. and music and movement sessions each week on a rotation day.
Finally, we have a large garden to the rear of the building, which is part paved and part laid to grass. We provide bikes, trikes and cars to ride on and climbing frames, slides see-saws etc. for when we can get onto the grass. We are working towards providing a sensory garden for us all to enjoy and learn about growing and caring for plants. We aim to use the outdoor area everyday unless the weather is particularly bad.
We may accommodate up to 40 children per session, 16 in the Bumble bees and 24 in the Ladybirds. Staff ratios are maintained at all times as follows:
- Age range : 2-3 years 1 adult to 4 children.
- Age range : 3-5 years 1 adult to 8 children.
We operate a key worker system and staff monitor the progress of each individual child at all times. This information is shared with parents on a regular basis during the year. We have been inspected by the Office for Standards in Education and have met the National Standards for a Full Day Care Provider. Our curriculum and child record criteria follows the Dept for Education & Employment Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage book. A copy of which is in each room for parental inspection at all times.
The Village Nursery has a warm and welcoming environment in which the children are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of play and educational activities through out indoor and outdoor curriculum. Our aim and motto is 'where fun is learning'. We believe children learn best through play. Although maths and language skills are covered in practical and fun ways integrated into the routine of the day, we also teach the Ladybird children to sit in a formal classroom atmosphere in the quiet room to accustom them the 'big school' environment Through purposeful play and adult supported activities the children learn various concepts and are encouraged to share, take turns and develop independence skills.
During the year we celebrate many different festivals from different countries and cultures and at Christmas we have a Nativity/singing convert and a Christmas party. We hold open days for new parents and social events for the children and at the end of the year we have a concert/fun sports day and picnic.
The Village Nursery works with the Pie-School Learning Alliance (PLA) which is an organisation whose aim it is to provide the highest quality and standard of education in the under fives. The nursery is looking forward to working towards the PLA accreditation in the near future.
We hope that you find this booklet informative but it is only designed as a guide. Please come along and see what we can offer you and your child.
Aims
Our childcare aims are to:
- Provide quality childcare in a sate stimulating and caring environment.
- Offer a broad and balanced curriculum, which offers experience beyond that which can be provided at home but in ways that complement family lie.
- Through communication with parents and observations of the child, actively incorporate in our curriculum topics and themes that are of current interest to individual children.
- Show consideration to the children as individuals, allowing them to develop independence and decision making at their own pace with care and support from all concerned adults.
- Teach respect for the environment, property, animals and humans alike.
- Develop the art of good social skills and standards of behaviour though experience and example.
- Stimulate children's natural desire to learn through all aspects of nursery life.
- Communicate with and involve parents in nursery life.
Objectives
We operate a Key Worker system and record each child's progress, evaluating their needs and devising play plans in order to:
- Provide the resources and experiences to allow the children to progress towards the 6 Early Learning Goals of Personal & Social Development, Language & Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creativity.
- Have flexible plans, allowing spontaneity for children's changing interests and preoccupations.
- Ensure easy access to the curriculum for all children.
- Ensure adequate adult to child ratios to provide a stimulating safe and secure environment.
- Ensure that each child's race, culture, religion, language and family values are given proper consideration.
- Ensure positive images of people are portrayed regardless of gender, culture or ability.
- Ensure an awareness of health and safety aspects.
- Encourage parental involvement.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is structured to give each individual child the experiences and skills needed to help them develop towards the early learning goals laid out within the foundation stage in education. We provide a wide range of activities during each session, all of which go towards covering the six early learning goals, which are explained overleaf.
A copy of our curriculum is always on display in each room, alongside a separate curriculum set up for the quiet room, so that you can always see what your child will be doing during each session. Please feel free to discuss any ideas you may have relating to the curriculum.
Staff
At every session a minimum of 50% of the staff hold qualifications in childcare and there are always at least two qualified First Aiders present.
Key Workers
Your child will be allocated to a specific member of staff (Key worker) who will act as a first point of contact for you and your child at nursery school Key workers can be of great help during "settling in" and in providing continuity for the children while they are at Nursery School Key workers also keep records of your child's achievements, which you are welcome to see at any time.
Children's Records
The Foundation Stage in Education issued by the Early Education and Childcare Unit explains how the foundation stage works for your child. At The Village Nursery School we have organised our recording systems to work in conjunction with the Early Learning Goals. We use the Guidelines to the Foundation Stage as our long-term curriculum aims and your child's records are made up of the 68 Early Learning Goals (ELGs), under the 6 appropriate headings. These records are an indication of your child's progress at nursery and you will receive them at the beginning of each half term. The records are written by your child's key worker after ongoing observations throughout the term. We are aware that your child may achieve much more in their home setting so please feel free to contribute to the records.
If you wish to see your child's records please give your child's key worker one week's notice as observations are in note form until the key worker writes a report in the half term.
Bumblebee's produce a progress report after the half term break in November.
After the half term break in February a Play Plan is produced and a final achievement report is produced in June.
In the Ladybird's the format is slightly different in that a Play Plan is produced in November and February with an achievement report in June. This is couple with an "All About Me" booklet which is filled in as the term goes along to record a specific achievement or activity.
A play plan enables staff and yourselves to see what your child's next steps under each category will be.
These records are confidential but obviously are discussed by staff at curriculum planning meetings.
Special Needs
The nursery school is happy to accept children with special needs and every opportunity will be taken to integrate these children in the usual course of the sessions. Mrs Sandra Boxall is our setting's SENCO. Maggie Dunsford from Bushy Leaze Early Years Out Reach Group visits and is able to help with any queries you may have about your child's development Dates of visits are available from the nursery school
Health and Safety
On starting nursery you will be asked to complete a child's record form and a medical consent form. If you need to make any changes to this form during the term e.g. change address or telephone number, please do so as soon as possible.
Please read the policies and the booklet about Health and Safety issues on display in the nursery and sign to say that you have. These contain information about procedures that take place in the nursery to safe guard you and your child. An operational plan folder is also available for you to read, this contains the everyday running procedures of the nursery, staff, qualifications etc.
If an accident were to occur which it deemed it necessary to call an ambulance, you would be notified after the ambulance had been called. If necessary a member of staff would accompany the child to hospital Emergency staff would be called to attend so that the staff child ratio would not be affected. If you have any religious or cultural beliefs that would stop your child from receiving treatment, you should inform us via the medical consent form.
Please be assured that any information, records, observations, written or verbal that we hold at nursery are done so in the strictest of confidence. You may access your child's records at any time, please make an appointment with your child's key worker, or talk to Mrs Boxall Mrs Chiverton or Mrs Matthews if you wish to do so.
Policies and the OFSTED Report
The nursery school holds basic policies regarding all aspects of the care of your child and these are available for you to read at any time, a copy of each is on display. A policy for the nursery schools complaints procedure is in the policy folder along with an address for OFSTED. When your child joins our nursery we will ask you to read and sign to indicate your acceptance of these policies, any updating of the policies will be added to your newsletters. If you have a question with regard to any of the policies please speak to Mrs Elaine Chiverton Mrs Jan Matthews or Mrs Sandra Boxall.
- Click here to view the OFSTED page for The Village Nursery School
- Click here to view the OFSTED Report from 2007
- Click here to view the OFSTED Report from 2004
Security
On joining Nursery School all children are allocated a personal security number which is held in strict confidence. If you are unable to collect your child from Nursery School it is essential that you inform the person collecting your child of their security number. This system is in operation to protect us all, but most particularly to ensure the safety of the children.
Insurance
The Nursery School is insured through Sterling Insurance.
Eligibility
The Nursery School is open to children aged between 2 years and 5 years.
Arrival at Nursery School
If your child is unsettled at school you are very welcome to stay as long as you like, but when you leave please tell your child's key worker. If you arrive early, please stay with your child until the start of the session to enable us to prepare for our activities, this is also important in view of the insurance eligibility.
Refreshments
Our mid-morning break consists of milk or water and apple or biscuit. If your child does not drink milk, please bring in a drink in a named flask.
Lunchtimes
Children are welcome to stay to lunch, please supply their sandwiches etc and a drink in a name lunchbox. In view of the vulnerability of this age range, we request that either a cool box is also put in the lunch box or alternatively remove any items which are temperature sensitive (such as yoghurts or chicken products etc) put them in a named bag or box and place this in the second fridge in the kitchen, we will then put these out just before lunch commences.
Birthdays
You are more than welcome to bring in a cake or biscuits on the day nearest your child's birthday as we find the children really enjoy sharing their celebration with others.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the Nursery School are:
| Monday | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
12.00pm - 3.00pm |
| Tuesday | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
CLOSED PM |
| Wednesday | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
12.00pm - 3.00pm |
| Thursday | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
12.00pm - 3.00pm |
| Friday | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
CLOSED PM |
Fees
The fees per session are:
| Morning Sessions | £9.50 |
| Afternoon Sessions | £9.50 |
| Morning plus Lunch (9.00am - 12.30pm) | £12.50 |
| Full day | £20.00 |
All fees are payable by Half Termly in advance
When your child becomes eligible for Nursery Grants the differences in fees are paid one term in advance.
Education Grants
Under the Department of Education and Employment's requirements for grants, all providers must offer one free place.
A "free" place offers 5 sessions of 2½ hours per session, per week, for 33 weeks in a full year, to children for whom they provide nursery education and receive a grant. Generally this divides into 11 weeks in each grant period (term).
As the Dfee does not cover the full cost of the fees for the nursery school, a lop up fee becomes chargeable, additionally, as our sessions are 3 hours long, there is also a further fee of ½ hour payable at the prevalent rate, should you wish to take this up. A full breakdown of this is shown on your bill and please feel free to discuss this at any time with Mrs Chiverton, Mrs Matthews or Mrs Boxall.