We would like to take this opportunity to inform you of our aims as a nursery and to answer any questions that you may have concerning your child’s experiences that they may have with us. Each session is for a period of three hours. We are open in the morning and the afternoon. Session times are between 9.00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Each session is planned for your child’s enjoyment and education. We are a charity run group and invite all parents/carers to join our committee to aid in our fundraising events.
OUR AIM IS:
- To enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age with a parent/guardian involved community based group.
- To provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment.
- To work within a framework, which ensure equality and opportunity for all children and their families.
WE AIM TO OFFER ALL CHILDREN:
- A specially tailored curriculum leading to the approved learning outcomes, based around the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of adults to children.
- Fun and friendships with children and other adults.
- Opportunities for you and your family to be directly involved in the activities of the group and in your own child’s progress.
As part of our commitment to your child, we would like to ensure that you know what your child is learning whilst at nursery, please see our yearly plans, which inform you that planning is based around each child’s interests and next stage of development, alongside events and celebrations. If you would like to know more about the early year’s curriculum (EYFS) and our daily routine, please see the notice board in the lobby area. Here you will also find important information regarding Nursery holiday dates, our policies, staff information, Ofsted reports, parental rota and forthcoming events. Please read the notice board regularly to keep up-to-date on all the nursery information.
It is vital that all children are able to attend their allocated sessions as much as they can, so unless they are ill or a family holiday is booked please ensure that they attend. It is just as important that your child attends for the whole of their session, so ensuring prompt arrival and collection at the end of the session is made. When children are collected early it not only disrupts the session it also prevents your child from experiencing all that maybe happening on that day.
If a child is picked up late from nursery, a charge of £5.00 will have to be made for every ten minutes until your child has been collected, (unless we have been informed with a viable reason). If, however, this is a regular occurrence then the charge will automatically be made, even if we are informed of the late collection. If after the charges have been given on several occasions and your child is still being persistently collected late from nursery, then the Supervisor will refer the matter to the Lead Trustee for discussion. The decision of the Lead Trustee is final.
- If, however, a child has not been collected after 45 minutes of the session ending, the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board, LCSB (Social Services) will be contacted or if deemed appropriate the police.
NATIONAL CURRICULUM:
Within the nursery we ensure that all the children develop at their own pace, with full access to the National Curriculum. The activities available meet the approved Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Observations are made to ensure that each child’s development is being responded to, so that the activities are planned to reach your child’s individual learning potential. We encourage parents/guardians to take an active role in their child’s learning and therefore participate with you to complete the “My Unique Story” document. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) has three prime areas of learning: communication and language, personal, social and emotional development and physical development. These prime areas of development are fundamental for children to develop in all areas of learning. There are four specific areas of learning which are understanding the world, expressive arts and design, mathematics and literacy. If you would like to find out more about the EYFS, please view the Department for Education website.
COMMUNICATION AND LANGUAGE:
In both large and small groups children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening. Hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes also assists in this aim. The role of the adults within the setting is clearly identified in engaging with the children, asking relevant questions and comments to extend children’s thoughts and language spoken. With positive modelling of the language and clarity it is spoken is consistently demonstrated. Turn taking during activities encourages children to listen and respond to each other in meaningful contexts.
PERSONAL, EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in confidence and autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through a variety of activities, conversation and practical examples they learn to have respect for others and their feelings. All children are given the opportunity as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT:
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and outdoors allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children to safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skills and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time children are supported in the development in the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
MATHEMATICS:
By means of an adult: practical supported experiences, children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities, which form the basis of early Years Mathematics. As they use their mathematical understanding to solve problems, children are assisted to learn and use vocabulary of mathematics, identifying shapes, positions, size, volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children to become aware of number sequence and when they are ready to use simple mathematics operations, such as adding.
UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD:
A safe and stimulating environment, allowing the children to explore with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns, similarities and to share their findings. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and the wider community. A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding. The use of simple tools and techniques (as appropriate) to achieve their intentions and to solve problems are encouraged.
LITERACY:
Resources that enable children to create marks are available throughout the session in the means of drawing, creating ‘notes’, in sand, etc…. Children are helped to understand the written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purpose of writing and when ready to use drawn and written symbols themselves. A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become aware of their uses, both for references and a source of stories and pictures. Story time provide opportunities for the children to engage in stories that are relevant to them and are often able to engage in re-telling stories in the use of role play.
EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DESIGN:
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings, to construct their individual respond in both two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources provides for open-ended explorations of colour, shape, texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage making. Children join in with and respond to music and stories and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a group.
Please remember to accept your child’s work with enthusiasm!
RELIGION:
We learn and celebrate a variety of religious festivals, in a manner that the children can understand and gain knowledge in. Your child may wish to discuss what we have been talking about at nursery. If you would like information on these festivals, please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff.
STAFF AND HELPERS:
We are proud of our high ratio to adults in our nursery and that although the curriculum framework states that the nursery should have 50% of its staff trained we are proud that we have 100% of our staff trained to the specified level. This ensures individual attention to the needs and development for each child, which is aided with the key person approach. We do encourage parents/carers to become a “helper” and join in the nursery session. This is a perfect opportunity to see what your child is learning and what they enjoy doing at nursery (this can differ from what they do at home). It also gives you the opportunity to see what happens at nursery and how your child learns through play. Please see our parent rota for session/s you would like to participate in or speak to a member of staff. Any parents/carers who wish to stay, you will be given an information sheet before the stay and play session with some simple guidelines to help them, however, stay and play sessions are only able to occur upon the understanding that you have read all the setting’s policies, practices and procedures and will adhere to these during stay and play session. You will be required to sign a declaration to this fact.
For your information, the nursery follows K.C.C child protection procedures, and with the guidelines information sheet you will be given our safeguarding policy and practice document.
All staff have been DBS checked and hold relevant first aid certificates.
| STAFF MEMBER | JOB ROLE | DESIGNATED ROLE | QUALIFICATION |
| SUE MELVIN | SUPERVISOR | Safeguarding Officer | NVQ 3 |
| NORMA WHAPSHOTT | DEPUTY SUPERVISOR | Partnership with parents/Safeguarding Officer | NVQ 3 |
| NIKKI REECE | NURSERY ASSISTANT | Equality opportunities/Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator/Health and Safety | NVQ 2 |
| DENISE JONES | NURSERY ASSISTANT | Behaviour Management Co-ordinator/Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator | CACHE DIPLOMA LEVEL 3 |
| SHAHNAZ KADIR | BANK STAFF | NVQ 2 | |
| TARA WHEELER | NURSERY ASSISTANT | ||
| CLAIRE MCCURRY | BANK STAFF | ||
| SAMINA BEGUM | BANK STAFF | ||
POLICIES:
Our policies are always available on file for you to read. All our policies are designed for the best possible experiences for children and their families within the group. Our policies are reviewed on a regular basis and we welcome comments and suggestions from all parents/carers. If you have any questions regarding your child’s pre-school education, please bring these to the attention of the staff or place written notes in the comment box in the lobby. If you have any grievances, then please bring these to the attention of the staff and we will try to resolve them. In the event of you not receiving satisfaction there is a written complaints procedure displayed in the lobby.
RECORD KEEPING:
When your child begins nursery, you will be given a baseline assessment to complete so that we can start to plan and assess your child’s development immediately. We will continue to assess your child’s progress he/she has made every term, by completing a ‘learning journey’ book. Your child’s key person will carry out your child’s assessment through observations, planned and unplanned activities and individual activities. Your child’s learning journey will always be available for you to read and to add your own comments upon at any time. These records and a folder of your child’s achievements are handed to your child before they leave. These are available for you to read at our annual open evening, along with the opportunity for you to speak to your child’s key person. If you wish to speak to your child’s key person at any time, please just let us know. The “My Unique Story” document will be given to you three times throughout the academic year for you to complete with your child’s key person and it is then the responsibility for you to keep and share this with your child’s future school.
ADDITIONAL AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILTIES:
The number of adults present enables us to provide individual attention for each child. Each child is able to progress at his/her own rate in all areas of development. This is also the basis for children with or without additional or special educational needs. A graduated response education plan or a targeted plan may be implemented for a child with additional or special educational needs. More information regarding additional and special educational needs is contained within our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities policy, which is available in the lobby or upon the setting’s website. If you would like to discuss your child’s development/needs, please do not hesitate to speak to the Supervisor, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator or your child’s key person.
MEDICATION:
If your child is on medication, for an illness that is contagious or makes them unwell he/she should be kept home from nursery. In exceptional circumstances, for example, if he/she is subject to asthma attacks, it is the parent/guardians responsibility to ensure that an inhaler or appropriate medication is kept at nursery with instructions for use. A parental consent form must be completed before we can administer any medication. A form is available for administering medication, please ask. Please keep your child home if he/she has been suffering sickness and/or diarrhoea, please ensure that your child is well again before attending nursery. If your child has any allergies or has had recent immunisations, please let the Duty Supervisor know, in case your child becomes unwell during the session.
FIRST DAYS:
A child who is unhappy or tense will not be able to play and learn properly. So it is important for parents/guardians and the nursery staff to work together to help your child feel confident and secure within the group. This takes longer for some children than others and parents/guardians should not feel worried if their child takes longer to settle. Please remember that we are here to help. If you have any concerns or problems, please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff. Please inform a member of staff if anyone else will be collecting your child, as we cannot allow them to leave with someone we do not know, We do have permission slips for children to be collected by another adult, that the parent/guardian are to complete.
WHAT TO WEAR?
In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send you child in clothes that are easily washable and not too new. Please do not send your child to nursery in their best clothes. Nursery tops are available for you to purchase, please just ask. Also non-slip shoes or plimsolls that your child can manage independently are recommended for safety reasons when they are using the climbing frame. We do play in the garden throughout the year, and in the Summer time sun hats are recommended and you should also apply sun cream before they come into nursery. It is good for children to practice a skill, which makes them independent. This is why simple clothing, which they can handle themselves, will enable them to go to the toilet when they need to. Also to put on and take off their outdoor clothing, without them being too dependent on other people’s help. No dummies or toys are to be brought into nursery. However, if your child does need his/her comforter (especially during the first few weeks) they may bring this into nursery. It would be appreciated if his/her outdoor clothing were labelled with their name. Due to safety reasons it is recommended that children do not wear jewellery to nursery. However, if earrings are to be worn, stud type are preferred. Any valuables brought into nursery are at your own risk, the staff cannot take responsibility for any loss or breakages.
SNACK TIME:
Each child is provided with a drink of milk and fruit during the nursery session. The DHSS reimburse us with the cost of the milk. If for any reason your child does not drink milk, water is always available. When your child’s birthday is approaching, please let us know, as we like to sing “Happy Birthday” together at drinks time. To help celebrate your child’s birthday you are welcomed to bring in a Birthday cake for the children to eat at snack time. During snack time your child will be provided with various foods and we consistently have fresh fruit available daily. If your child has any allergies/dietary requirements, please ensure that this is stated on their registration form. Please discourage your child from bringing in any sweets, snacks or drinks into the nursery.
NURSERY SESSION PAYMENTS:
Nursery fees are £17.00 per session and this is payable on the days allocated to your child, whether they actually attend nursery or are absent for any reason. We would like to request that all payments are made in advanced at weekly, fortnightly, monthly or on a termly basis. It is important that you let us know if you go on holiday during term time, or if your child is sick. If we hear nothing from you and your child is absent for longer than two weeks, we will assume that you no longer require his/her place. In cases of prolonged absence, parents should consult with the nursery Supervisor about payment. Each child’s attendance at nursery is conditional upon payment of nursery fees. As we enjoy cooking activities at nursery every week, there is a small voluntary contribution of £6.00 per year.
When your child reaches the eligible Free Early Education (FEE) (dependent upon their date of birth), nursery fees will be paid for by the DFEE. Which means your child will receive up to five free sessions per week (fifteen hours). We will inform you when you will be entitled to receive the Free Early Education. If you are, however, claiming these fifteen hours per week at another pre-school setting, then you will be required to pay us for each session your child attends the nursery at the rate the nursery would usually charge for nursery places. For more information please speak to the nursery Supervisor, thank you.
We do accept FREE for 2 year old places for children that are eligible and met the government criteria. Please be aware that we cannot accept children younger than 2 ½ due to our insurance and registration guidelines. These spaces are also dependent upon availability.
The Government has implemented an extra funding opportunity for Early Years settings, called Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP). There is an eligibility criteria which is displayed in the setting’s lobby area. It enables the setting to apply for this additional funding to help support the children within the pre-school, by various means, such as purchasing additional toys/resources or providing additional training for the settings staff. This funding has enabled us in the past to support the children’s learning and development by giving them different experiences that cannot be met by our usual budget. If you would like further information, please do not hesitate to speak to the nursery Supervisor.
Please note, that a place at the Windmill Nursery does NOT guarantee your child will be granted a place at The Brent Primary School. Applications should be made to the school.
The setting does have its own Website that is updated regularly. It has ALL of the setting’s policies, which can be translated into various languages. You can also find our plans, the newsletters, staff information, photographs too! It certainly is worth a look!
Finally, we hope your child’s time at our nursery will be a happy and productive one!