The Nursery Staff
The nursery is staffed by Mrs A Sheikh (nursery teacher)
Mrs L Cunningham,
How you can help Starting nursery is a big step for your child who may be leaving familiar surroundings at home for the first time to make new friends in an exciting environment.
Please let us know if you have any worries or concerns about your child. We want to make the transition into nursery as easy as possible for both parents and children.
Please take the time to fill in the contact sheet so that the nursery staff are able to telephone you should the need arise. We also need to be aware of any food allergies or medical conditions your child may have. The more information you can give us e.g. if your child has difficulty hearing and may need to sit at the front for story time or attends speech therapy etc helps us to help your child.
Illness
Starting nursery means that your child comes into contact with lots of children and sometimes may catch colds etc. Our school policy states that children must be free from sickness and diarrhoea for at least twenty four hours before coming back to school. Please respect this rule and if in doubt contact Mrs Dunstan our school administrator on the main school phone number which is 0161 764 4014 who will be able to advise you accordingly.
Administering medicine We do not normally undertake the administration of medicines in school except for asthma and in exceptional circumstances. Prescription medicines are only ever administered with written permission from parents.
Contacting Nursery/School The nursery has a separate phone line should you wish to telephone. The number is 0161 762 5633. Please keep trying; it may be that the children and nursery staff are in the play area outside.
The main school phone number is 0161 764 4014 and Mrs Cunliffe (school administrator) will ensure that the nursery staff receive any messages.
What to wear Nursery children do not have to wear school uniform however many parents choose this option.
When buying shoes for school please avoid laces (unless your child is able to tie laces themselves) as they come undone easily and can cause accidents. There are many shoes with velcro fastenings which are much more practical. It is also worth pointing out that shoes/sandals with a heel are not suitable for running around in and can cause some nasty falls.
Please ensure that your child has a waterproof coat with a hood as we do go outside in all weather, even in the winter (wellingtons in a bag for rainy days are a particularly good idea).
All clothing must be clearly marked with your child’s name. Name labels which can be sewn on are more practical as they do not fade with washing. Please do not forget to put your child’s name in shoes and wellington boots.
Earrings and other jewellery are not suitable for school and should not be worn. The nursery staff cannot be asked to take out or replace earrings; therefore it is better if children do not wear jewellery at all.
Personal hygiene When your child starts nursery it is important that he/she is able to use the toilet properly, flush it and to wash and dry hands. Of course accidents can and do happen (it is helpful if the child has a change of underwear in a bag) but this should not be a daily event and the nursery staff cannot be expected to toilet train children. If this causes difficulty please discuss this with the nursery staff.
The nursery routine The door opens for the morning session at 8.35 am and a register is taken at 8.45 am. The morning session finishes at 11.15 am.
You may want your child to stay for a school dinner. In this case collection will be at 12.15 pm.
We also offer an additional childcare session every afternoon. This session finishes at 3.00 pm.
The cost of a school dinner and additional childcare is available at the office.
Please bring and collect your child on time. Children can become very upset if parents arrive late. If someone else is going to collect your child please let us know as soon as possible and make sure that they know your secret password.
The nursery doors are locked at 8.45 am for security reasons. If you arrive late please use the main entrance and sign your child in at the office. Alternatively if you are going to be late collecting your child please telephone and let us know.
Snack time A carton of milk and a piece of fruit is provided during snack time for your child (if your child has a fruit/milk allergy please let us know, or if your child does not drink milk then water will be provided). However we do try to encourage the drinking of milk and eating of fruit.
The children are not allowed to bring sweets to nursery. Birthdays however are an exception, but please do not bring in lollipops, boiled sweets or chocolate containing nuts. If you are going to bring in some sweets for your child’s birthday we have 30 children in the nursery!
Parental contribution Parents are asked to contribute £1.00 per week to cover the cost of baking ingredients and to buy resources for the nursery. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. The money is collected on Monday by the nursery staff.
The Foundation Stage Both the nursery and reception classes are part of the Foundation Stage. The curriculum for the Foundation Stage is based on the Early Learning Goals and is arranged into six areas of learning, these are;
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication, Language and Literacy
Mathematical Development
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Physical Development
Creative Development
Learning is fun in the Foundation Stage!
How you can help your child to learn
On entry to nursery we encourage good behaviour, so please do not tell your child “If someone hits you, hit them back”. Incidents can and do occur, however it is how we deal with them which is important. Please encourage your child to tell one of the nursery staff. Incidents can then be dealt with immediately without causing unnecessary upset
Encourage your child to have a go at putting on a coat and fastening shoes
Talk to your child and listen to what they have to say
Encourage your child to look at things around them and to describe what they see
Let your child use pencils, crayons and paints at home to help develop co-ordination
Sing nursery rhymes to help with counting and language development
Share a variety of books
Help your child to make the sign of the cross and to get used to the idea of praying
A letter formation sheet is available from the nursery for your information; however your child will begin to write their name and to do simple handwriting when it is appropriate for them to do so.
Guardian Angels' PTA
The school has a thriving PTA which organises regular events. All parents are members and are kept informed about meetings etc via the weekly blue newsletter. Parental support is crucial so that it can continue to provide resources for the children.
