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Mendham Primary School

Nursery

Seedlings is our dedicated early years unit, catering for children from 3-5yrs. Children fall into two year groups: nursery (3 & 4 year olds) and reception (4 to 5 year olds).  Both year groups are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is how the government and early year’s professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and 5 years of age.

Through planned play and purposeful activities, the Early Years curriculum is designed to encourage learning which builds on and extends your child’s existing knowledge, experiences and interests in a caring and stimulating environment. Children learn by playing and exploring, being active and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outdoors.

We insure each child is reaching their full potential by observing and extending their play and encouraging them to do their best at every opportunity.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework sets out the seven areas of learning and development. The framework guides professionals’ in supporting your child to learn new skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate understanding.

The seven areas of the EYFS are:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Language and Communication Development 
  • Physical Development 
  • Literacy 
  • Mathematics 
  • Understanding the World 
  • Expressive Arts and Design 

Frequently asked questions

What age can my child start nursery at the school?

Your child can start in the term following their third birthday.

Do you accept childcare vouchers?

We can accept employer’s childcare vouchers as payment towards the cost of sessions but not towards lunches. Please enquire at the school office for more information.

What session can my child attend?

Sessions are allocated depending on parental requests. If you wish to change your child’s allocated slot it is important to discuss this in advance with the class teacher. We aim to be flexible and meet the needs of parents and children alike so please call in to have a chat and see if we can help in anyway.

do they need to be able to use the toilet?

It is recommended that children are toilet trained before starting however; we are sensitive to the fact that not all children are ready to use a toilet at this time. In these situations provision can be made for nappy changing to take place. Full details of our nappy change policy can be found in the intimate care policy under the policies tab on the school

What are the session I can book?

 

Morning Session Morning & Lunch Session Afternoon session Full Day
8:30 - 11:30 8:30 - 12:30 12:30 - 15:15 8:30 - 15:15

Funded session (3hrs) or £13.15

Funded session (4.5hrs)or £16.30

Funded session (2.5hrs) or £13.15 Funded Session (6hrs) or £26.25

Please note - If you would like your child to have a hot meal these are charged at £2.53 per day.

Do you take children with 15 or 30 hours funding?

You can use your 15 hour funding at the setting and will cover 2 full days and a half day (up to lunchtime) or 30hours funding will include Mon-Fri 9-15:15.

To find out more about government funding and if you are eligible for 30hrs funding please click below:

Do I need to renew my 30hour code?

You will need to renew your 30 hour code every term and we will give you prompts to do so. If you miss the window for renewing your code and we are not able to claim the funding we will charge you for the hours your child attends. If you are worried you have missed the deadline please contact the school office.

what will my childs day look like?

On average a school day for our nursery setting is as follows:

  • 8.20 am - Children begin to arrive and take part in early activities and registration.
  • 8:30 am - Morning session begins with phonics, free flow learning and adult focused activities which continue through the morning session.
  • 10.00 am - Snack.
  • 11.30 am - Carpet time for stories and songs. 
  •  Lunchtime - In the main school hall.
  • 1.00 pm  - Afternoon session begins and includes further free flow and adult focused activities, music, forest school, topic work and philosophy.
  • 3.00 pm - Story and song time.
  • 3.30 pm - Home-time.  Staff will bring your child to you.  Please notify staff if someone different will be collecting your child.

What will my child need?

Uniform: We encourage Children in the EYFS to wear schools colour clothing in line with the schools uniform policy but this is not compulsory, however it can help to build a sense of belonging with the rest of the school.

PE kit: shorts and t-shirt, sweatshirt and jogging bottoms for cooler weather plus trainers are required in school all week in case of timetable changes.

Appropriate clothing: Other items of clothing should be appropriate for the weather. We spend some time outside every day, regardless of the weather.

Wet weather; Children should have a waterproof coat with them every day, even in the summer. Each child will also require a pair of Wellington boots to keep at school for use all through the year.

Dress to play: We provide aprons for art and messy play and spare waterproof coats and trousers for those wet and muddy times.

Bags: All children should have a bag containing one spare change of clothes, and anything else they may need, on their peg at all times.

If your child still wears nappies please send in enough for the day with your child’s own wipes and nappy bags.

How do I pay for my nursery fees or school lunches?

If you are not using funded hours to pay for your childs nursery we will invoice you at the beginning of each term via school gateway and you can pay for nursery charges and school lunches here.

Can I see the work my child has learnt while at nursery?

our nursery use Tapestry to record activities and achievements your child has taken part in while at the setting. They will also be given a report similar to the reminder of the school that has been adapted to cover the EYFS curriculum.