Nursery
Welcome to St. Aidan’s Pre-School, we are excited to be working with you and your child.
At St Aidan’s, Parent Partnership is extremely important to us, we value the role that you play in being your child’s first educator. There will be opportunities throughout the forthcoming academic year for you take part in sharing information about your child through informal conversations, stay and play sessions and parents evenings, all of which will enable us to discuss your child’s development and ways we can enhance their learning.
A safe, stimulating and happy environment
Our Nursery has been created with the aim to provide individual care for each child in a safe, stimulating and happy environment. We recognise the need to encourage your child to develop, to achieve their full potential, and give them the best start preparing them for school and their future lives.
Furthering your child’s development
During your child’s day at nursery, we will observe them incidentally in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. These observations will inform our planning so that opportunities and activities are made available to further your child’s development. We also complete EYFS trackers for each child.
Qualified staff
All our staff are qualified to national standards or above. All staff hold enhanced police clearance disclosures and are trained in ‘Safeguarding’. Staff receive many opportunities to increase their skills with additional training courses.
Opening Times
Morning session: 8.45am-11.45am
Lunchtime Session: 11.45am-12.30pm
Afternoon session: 12.30pm-3.30pm
Please note that Nursery Sessions are flexible and if you would like your child to attend extra sessions we will accommodate you wherever possible.
Wrap-Round Care
We operate wrap-round care between 11.45 am and 12.30pm. This costs £3.75 per session.
Nursery children can access our Breakfast and Afterschool Clubs, meaning they can be in Nursery from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. We also offer holiday care for most of the school holidays.
PE
PE sessions will take place in the school hall one morning and one afternoon per week. Children will need a pair of black PE pumps, labelled with their names, and left in school in a PE bag on their peg. PE sessions will only take place after the October half term, once the new children have settled in.
Observation and Assessments
Every child in Nursery has their own key person. The key person is responsible for observing and assessing their children via written notes, photographs, learning journeys and evidence of their work. These observations are used to complete the Early Years Foundation Stage Assessment Profile and provide ‘next steps for development’ for your child.
You are welcome to view your child’s assessment profile at any time.
Nursery Funding
All three and four year old children can apply for government funding for 15 hours per week. Some children may be eligible for 30 hours of funding depending on your circumstances. 30 hour funding will need to be applied for through HMRC who will give you a code to say that you are eligible. This code needs to be given to school so that we can apply for the funding. You will be contacted by HMRC via text and email every three months asking for you to reconfirm your eligibility code. It is important that you do this as failure to do so could result in the loss of the 30 hours funding.
Nursery Fees
Nursery fees are payable monthly, in advance. Mrs Barker, the administrative assistant in the office, will invoice you two weeks prior to the start of each month.
If you have any problems paying Nursery Fees on time, it is imperative that you discuss this with Mrs Barker or Mrs Fisher who will do everything that they can to help you.
Outings to the local Community
It is extremely important for us to allow the children to visit their local community so we often take them to the local library, park, shops, post box etc. Please ensure that you have signed the consent form allowing us to take your child on local visits. You will always be informed prior to us going out into the community.
Safeguarding
We take the safety of all our children extremely seriously. All parents will therefore need to provide a password for their child. If someone comes to collect your child who is unknown to us we will NOT allow them to take your child unless they provide us with the correct password.
The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited inside Nursery.
Weather
Children are encouraged to play outdoors in all weather and they have access to excellent outdoor resources. We provide waterproof clothing, wellies and umbrellas in wet weather. It is imperative that in HOT weather that all children have a sun hat in their trays and have sun cream applied before coming to school.
The Nursery Team.
Miss Ashton: Nursery Manager & SENDCo
Mrs Brown: Learning Assistant level 3
Mrs Shaw: Learning Assistant Level 2 (Lunchtime)
Mrs Hurd (Lunchtime)
Please also look at our Nursery Transition tab on our website too. Here you will find information on how to support your child and get them ready for starting Nursery.
Registering your child.
If you wish to have a place for your child please contact the school office on 01744 678042 or email [email protected] or [email protected]
Please download the attached information about applying for the 30 hours funding. There is also information on fees and school holiday dates attached.