St Edmund’s Nursery School & Children’s Centre

St Edmund’s St Edmund’s is an inner city school graded Outstanding by OFSTED in the last three inspections. The majority of our families fall into the disadvantaged group with poor housing and low income. We have a number of children from more affluent families who travel a distance to access our provision and a provision for children with complex needs. We believe that this is of a huge importance towards breaking social barriers and developing a society based on mutual respect regardless of cultural and social background.

Initial steps in working with our families and children Outreach work-getting to know families in our community Home Visit Parents are invited into the school and centre for variety of activities, sessions and groups Transition process from home into the school/Nursery Key Person approach Record of Achievement Better Together

Centre of Good Practice St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre has been selected as a Centre of Good Practice for New Arrivals to develop a programme of support for schools with children who are new to English and/or new to education. Based on our experiences and communication with staff who originate from different countries, staff who work closely on a daily basis with the families and most importantly communication directly with our parents, we have identified three key areas that present the main issues in supporting communities new to the UK: Attendance Social Integration Communication The key to our success is finding right people who have right attributes when working with families new to England and will act as role models.

Services on offer: Attendance: Home Visits- Opportunities to shadow practitioners visiting Eastern and Central European families in their own homes. Visitors Days- Our visitors days allow early years practitioners. Teachers, students and others to see outstanding nursery in operation. There are visitors days with specific focus on families from Central and Eastern Europe. Settling in Process- We can provide information on our settling in process and the special arrangements we have made for children from Central and Eastern Europe.

Services on offer: Communication: Home Language Speaker- One of our team can talk to parents at your school Communication Friendly Classrooms- Find out how we make sure that classroom environment is accessible to all children Alternative ways of communication- Makaton

Services on offer: Social Integration: Special Events- How we use open days, parties and ‘Our community, Our World’ week to ensure that all families feel part of our community. Classroom and communities- Ensuring that the whole classroom reflects the children who are there, for example home area, number area or snack area. Parents as volunteers- How to involve parents in supporting other parents, including pathways to paid employment.

“An especially effective mechanism for raising aspirations is when services working with children and families use as a deliberate tactic the employment of people from the local community. This has a number of benefits: positive role models are created for children; family incomes rise, and at least some of the money accrued is spent locally, thus supporting the local economy.” C4EO Narrowing the Gap 2008

Our staff from EU Radka-EU Community engagement worker Eva – Dinnerlady /Cleaner Ruzena – Community Engage Worker Juraj – Family support officer and Early Years Practitioner Ermina – Assistant Head Malgorzata-Cleaner Dina-Trainee Teacher

Some of our families Our Families

What were your main concerns before your child started nursery? Someone might hurt my daughter She might cry Might not get used to nursery Might not understand others How did you feel when your child started? I was scared of any accidents that might happen I was upset Time - too long for my child to stay in nursery What benefits have you seen? My daughter’s language has improved in her home language, also in English. Her knowledge and understanding has developed. My daughter follows instruction very easily since starting nursery.

What were your main concerns before your child started nursery? He might cry He might not get used to the nursery Is this place safe for my son to be here? How did you feel when your child started? Staff might not look after him My son might struggle because he has always been with me at home What benefits have you seen? My son is able to stay without my, playing happily with other children. His language has improved in his home language, also in English.

Cultural Awareness Czech Delegation Ostrava Visit Prague Visit Families’ experiences Juraj’s experience

Juraj’s Story Life in Slovakia; family, school, friends, employment opportunities Leaving Slovakia Life in England at the beginning Fears/concerns Barriers Aspirations Opportunities: jobs, education… Life in England now What the future holds

Contact details: St Edmund’s Nursery School and Children’s Centre Washington Street Bradford BD8 9QWE Tel; 01274 543 282 Ermina Kesedzic Assistant Head/SENDcO ermina.kesedzic@stedmundsbradford.org.uk Juraj Tancos Family Support Officer juraj.tancos@stedmundsbradford.org.uk