“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up”. DfCSF 2008

Who is Who! Headteacher: Miss Janine Harris Deputy Head and Inclusion Leader: Mr Doug Gubbins Early Years Leader: Miss Aysha Donald Key Stage 1 Leader: Mr Adam Burt Nursery Teacher: Miss Fran Bradley / Miss Remmie Richards Nursery Teaching Assistant: Mrs Angie Rose Pastoral Care Worker: Mrs Carla Miller Office Staff: Mrs Lynda Carter, Mrs Teresa Kusminoff and Mrs Martine Whittle Chair of Governors: Mrs Fran Hunt Children’s Centre Manager: Ms Nikki Dilke

Development Matters There are 3 characteristics of effective learning which help us to focus on and understand how children learn. We will need to become familiar with them and reflect on how they can help us to support children’s learning and development by providing activities we know the children will enjoy. As practitioners we need to plan in activities and experiences that will allow the children opportunities to develop their skills in these particular areas.

Aims of the Nursery Year Become a valued member of our school community. Learn how to co- operate and communicate with others. Develop concentration and play skills.

Aims of the Nursery Year Share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through art, design and technology, music, dance, drama and role- play. Solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan, think for themselves and begin to raise lots of questions.

Aims of the Nursery Year Investigate how numbers work, patterns, shape, space and measurement in a variety of contexts. Be given a rich environment to explore language, books and their imagination.

Aims of the Nursery Year Have an opportunity to practise fine and gross motor skill, increasing their understanding of how their body works and stays healthy. Find out about their environment, the people and places that have significance in their lives. Use a range of ICT confidently.

Have good self- image and self esteem. Have lots of fun! Aims of the Nursery Year

During your child’s Nursery year at Old Town Infant School we hope to nurture and develop a whole range of important ‘life’ skills. We build on from all from all the wonderful work YOU have started. We also work really closely with other EYFS providers that your child might still be attending.

The seven areas of learning Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Communication, and Language. Literacy. Mathematics. Knowledge of the World. Physical Development. Expressive Arts and Design. A record of children’s development across all of these areas provides a picture of the whole child at the end of the year and is passed to the school your child will attend.

Assessment We will do lots of observations of your child playing and exploring and match them carefully to the Early Learning Goals within the seven areas of learning. At the October parents meeting we share your child’s “Learning Pathway” which celebrates achievement and sets targets for progress through the Foundation Developmental stages. Children who have special educational needs will have a detailed Individual Education Plan put in place to support their needs and we will liaise with the Local Authority and Health Visitors if needed.

“We know that every child is different. They look different, they behave differently. They develop at different rates and at different times. They learn at different rates and in different ways”. Please don’t be tempted to compare your child with others. Value them as an individual, we do!

Routines of the school day The morning session begins at 8.30 and the afternoon session begins at It is very important that your child arrives on time. This settling in time allows them to get ready for the session ahead. If your child is late please arrive through the office where you will need to sign them in. Please do not collect your child early unless going to a medical appointment. When your child is unwell please telephone the school office each morning to inform them your child will not be in.

School Routines You are warmly welcomed into Nursery at the start of each session. Please take time to settle your child and play with them for a little while. At pick up time, please ensure you are waiting at the Nursery gate on time. We will then call the children one at a time. This is the safest way to ensure they walk out to the right parent! If you are going to be late telephone the school office so we can reassure your child.

School Routines We love to share things that the children have achieved. Please bring in any awards such as swimming and dancing so that we can celebrate their achievements with their friends. We also LOVE stories! If your child has a favourite story then bring it in…. The other children will probably love it too!! To save any upset, we don’t encourage the children to bring in toys from home unless they are connected with our topic.

Starfish Routines Pegs Water bottles Signing-in board

Starfish Routines Snack Time Choosing Jobs Board

Starfish Routines Sportacus Sessions Outdoor learning garden

Starfish Routines Behaviour System Super star Super Starfish Awards

Induction Period 2 nd September to 27 th September Home visits: Tuesday 2nd September – Monday 8 th September Stay and play sessions (45 minutes small groups): Small groups of children playing for a short session with and then without their parents Stay and play sessions (1 1/2 hour doubled up groups): Larger sized groups for double the length of time Stay and play sessions (3 hours half in morning, half in afternoon): Children stay for the full session time, but in half sized groups Off we go: Wednesday 24 th September Full Sized groups for the full 3 hours!

Nursery Essentials!  Sensible footwear for active feet- VELCRO!!  Suitable clothing ready for messy play- many children like to wear a school uniform jumper  Set of spare clothes in a NAMED bag (in case of accidents)  Named water bottle  Book bag for letters, books and their work to go home in  A rain coat, scarf and hat for outdoor learning in all weathers

What next…? Come and join us in Nursery after this meeting so we can show you around our Nursery and answer any questions you may have. We will see you next at your Home Visit time (see in your pack for more details)