Policies
Nursery School Aims
Our aim is to help each child to develop socially and to have independence, confidence and a positive self image. We nurture their natural curiosity and help them to think for themselves and problem solve. We aim to enable children to set challenges for themselves and to make their own decisions in dealing with different situations. We help each child to acquire specific skills, knowledge, ideas and attitudes that will help provide the foundation for earning for years to come.
We provide each child with a safe and stimulating setting full of varied activities which will aim to arouse their interest and awareness of their surroundings. This will prepare them for their time at school and is done within the guidelines of the Nursery's Equal Opportunities Policy. The Nursery is run so that children can come and enjoy themselves, get to know other children and learn through a variety of activities. Nursery children are not forced to take part in projects, so parents should not be disappointed if their child returns home without a picture or other creation.
Nursery Principles
» Early childhood is the foundation on which children build the rest of their lives, it is not just a preparation for the next stage but it is
vitally important in itself.
» Children develop emotionally, intellectually, morally, physically, spiritually and socially and at differing rates. All aspects of development
are equally important and interwoven.
» Young children learn from everything that happens to them and do not separate their learning into subjects.
» Children learn most effectively by doing rather than being told.
» Children learn most effectively when they are actively involved and interested.
» Children need time and space to produce work of quality and depth.
» What children can do rather than what they cannot do are the starting points to their learning.
» Playing and talking are the main ways through which young children learn about themselves and the world around them.
» Children who feel confident in themselves and their own ability have a head start to learning.
» Children who are encouraged to think for themselves are more likely to act independently.
» All children have abilities which should be identified and promoted.
» The relationships which children establish with adults and other children are of central importance in their development.
Opening Hours
Jenny's Nursery School is open every weekday morning from 9.30am until 12.00am during school term time. Dates of holidays will be given at the start of each term. If demand for places is high, afternoon sessions can be arranged on certain days of the week. For insurance reasons, children may not be admitted to Nursery before the session start time. Children must also be collected promptly at the end of the session to allow time for cleaning and packing away equipment.
Emergency Closure
In the unlikely event of emergency closure staff will inform all parents by telephone or in person as soon as possible. Any parents wanting to check if the Nursery has had to close for reasons such as extreme weather conditions can contact Jenny Berry on 01508 520110 before 8.00am or on 01508 528546 between 8.30am and 12.30pm.
Admissions
Children are eligible to start nursery from the age of two years providing there are spaces available. Nursery places are allocated via a waiting list, but every effort is made to accommodate children moving to the area. An admission form containing family details, contact numbers and any health matters will need to be completed by the parents / carers prior to their child starting at nursery (you can download one by clicking on the link in the right hand column). We accept children in nappies and work along side parents / carers in potty training their child.
Fees
Fees are charged at a competitive rate and should be paid promptly at the beginning of each half term for all of the sessions which the child will attend in that period. If you have difficulties with payment, please speak to a Playleader or Fees Secretary to arrange how to pay. All fees received go towards the day to day running costs of the group. Please note that if you do not pay due fees within two weeks of receiving the bill (except with special arrangement) Nursery reserves the right to re-allocate your child's place to the next child on the list.
Late picking up of children is charged for. Two members of staff are required to remain with the child. Fees charged may be made at the following rate. For the first thirty minutes after the normal session time: £5.00. After this time, the hourly rate of two members of staff will be charged. Every effort will be made to contact the parent / carer or alternative contact numbers. If an hour passes and the child still has not been collected then the police will be contacted.
If your child is moving on from the Nursery, please inform us at least two weeks beforehand, otherwise you will be charged.
Illness and Absence
Once a nursery session has been allocated, payment is still required for occasional absences due to illness or holidays, as we still have to pay all the costs involved in the running of the Nursery.
Your child should not attend the Nursery if they:
- have suffered sickness or diarrhoea in the last 72 hours (three whole days);
- have a rash;
- have discharges from ears or eyes;
- are generally unwell.
If you are uncertain as to whether to bring your child into Nursery please telephone Jenny on 01508 520110 before 8.00am or on 01508 528546 between 8.30am and 12.30pm.
If a child becomes ill at the Nursery, they will be made comfortable and reassured, and the parent / carer will be contacted immediately.
Starting Nursery
To some children starting nursery can be a very exciting time which they approach with enthusiasm. However to others it can be daunting to be left for the first time in a new place with new people and maybe the fear that the parent will not return. If after starting a child has difficulty settling in and / or becomes distressed, parents who would rather leave their distressed child to the care of the Playleaders should feel happy to do so. In general, distressed children normally settle down quite quickly after the parent has left and the Playleaders are very experienced and trained in dealing with these situations. However, parents who wish to be contacted if the child does not settle after given period should inform the Playleaders accordingly.
Arrival and Departure
During arrival and departure the Nursery door is supervised by a Playleader to ensure that no child leaves without their parent or authorised carer. Any parent who has made arrangements for another person to collect their child should inform the Playleaders accordingly. If you are going to be delayed, then please telephone the Nursery on 01508 528546.
Snack Time
The Nursery provides milk, water, fruit and biscuits during snack time. Children may bring their own drink. This should be brought in a non-breakable, sealable, named container. Please note that glass containers or fizzy drinks are not permitted. We also ask that children do not bring sweets to the Nursery. Children receiving government funding are asked to contribute 25p per day towards the cost of fruit at snack time.
Clothing
Children are expected to wear soft soled shoes such as plimsolls and clothes that are easy to undo whilst at the Nursery. We ask that children do not wear best clothes because hands on learning can be a messy business. We do provide children with spare clothes if accidents occur. If your child borrows a change of clothes please ensure that they are washed and returned promptly. Alternatively, send your child with a change of clothes in a named bag.
Preparing for School
Jenny's Nursery School is registered to provide early years education for children up to entry to school. Activities are planned to help
the child recognise:
- their name;
- numbers one to ten;
- recognition and sounds of alphabet;
- colours;
- shapes;
- develop their social and personal skills.
The Playleaders also concentrate on helping the children develop their concentration skills. Children are not pushed but allowed to work entirely at their own pace and to their individual abilities. Each child is given a key worker and so development is recorded.
Additional Information
Occaisionly, we take photos of the children to record events and their progress. We do seek your signed permission to do this. We will ask you to sign a consent form when we go on nature walks or other outings. Christmas parties and discos for the children are planned every year. We inform you of these events and other news in termly newsletters or online.
Please feel free to talk to any member of the committee or staff if you have any concerns, suggestions or help to offer. We need your input to enable us to provide the best possible care and education for your children during these most important pre-school years. Nurseries are run as a partnership - you, as parents, are very important and your involvement vital to enable your child to get the most benefit from nursery. Parents are the most important educator of their children throughout their childhood. We encourage parents and children to tell us of any achievements or news so these can be shared at story time. We sincerely hope that your child enjoys their time at Jenny's Nursery School.