Early Years Parent Information Book

STROUD SCHOOL HANDBOOK Early Years 2021/2022

WELCOME A very warm welcome to Stroud School. At Stroud, we believe that ‘school’ should be so much more than academic lessons in a classroom. We are hugely proud of our co-curricular provision. All our children experience a breadth of opportunities, both indoors and out, and are encouraged to make the most of their talents and abilities.

Jo Humphreys Head of Early Years

In the Early Years, we provide the children with a warm and friendly environment, where the children feel safe and settled, to play, learn and explore.

We really value each child’s interests and questions, and utilise these to support them in their development. Our stimulating provision instils a love of learning and enables the children to progress in all areas of the EYFS curriculum; ensuring they have a solid foundation on which to build their future learning.

Please do contact your child’s form tutor should I hope you find the following information useful. Further details can be found on our website www.stroud-kes.org.uk you need any further information.

Nursery Lucy Graves - lg@stroud-kes.org.uk Reception Jo Humphreys- joh@stroud-kes.org.uk Phillipa Roberts - pr@stroud-kes.org.uk Rachel Hansen- reh@stroud-kes.org.uk

CONTENT EARLY YEARS TEAM 3 THE CURRICULUM IN EARLY YEARS

4

HOW YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN

5

DAILY ROUTINE 6 ASSESSMENT 7 WAYS TO HELP AT HOME 8 MEDICAL 9 GENERAL INFORMATION 10 COMMUNICATION 11 PARENT PORTAL 12 SSA 13 INSPECTION REPORT AND POLICIES

14

MAP OF SCHOOL 15 UNIFORM 16

EARLY YEARS TEAM The Early Years team are really looking forward to welcoming your family to Stroud and getting to know your child.

The Nursery Manager oversees all the children. Each child will also be allocated a ‘Key Person’ who will work closely with you and your child.

The Reception teachers are the ‘Key Person’ for the Reception children and they are supported by a learning support assistant.

We also have a dedicated outdoor learning support assistant who, along with your child’s teacher, supports your child in their outdoor learning.

The children will interact with all the staff within the department and will get to know the specialist teachers too.

We operate an open-door policy, so please feel free to speak to us at drop-off or pick-up. If you would like to discuss something at greater length, please contact us to make an appointment.

THE CURRICULUM IN EARLY YEARS The Early Years curriculum is rich, engaging, exciting and challenging. We believe that children learn best through play and first-hand experiences so we give them plenty of opportunities to learn in this way.

Children are encouraged to discover, question and relish their learning, in order to gain a deeper understanding in all areas of the curriculum. The Early Years curriculum is divided up into seven areas: • Communication and Language • Physical Development • Personal, Social and Emotional Development • Literacy • Mathematics • Understanding the World • Expressive Arts and Design We recognise the importance of teaching the children knowledge, but also recognise the importance of enabling the children to develop skills. These will support them throughout their education and beyond. Our Stroud Spirit skills are embedded in our everyday provision. Along with promoting a growth mindset, your child will be acquiring lifelong skills and knowledge whilst enjoying rich and varied provision.

HOW YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN The children are taught through a mixture of adult-led and child-led sessions. Children learn best when they are highly engaged and motivated. We utilise the children’s interests and questions to develop their learning, as well as exposing them to new interests and opportunities for discovery.

Our curriculum is enriched through trips and visits as well as whole school events such as ‘Languages Day’ and ‘STEAM Week’.

During these events the children take part in themed activities that provide inspiration and develop skills such as collaboration and communication.

Our facilities offer a wide range of exciting indoor and outdoor learning areas. All our classrooms lead out to a covered outdoor classroom and this then leads onto a large garden area. Many of our children choose to learn outside, so there are as many opportunities to learn and discover outdoors, as there are in. Beyond the Early Years area is a sports hall, swimming pool, farm and Forest School area, which our children access throughout the week. The children are taught by specialist teachers for PE, ICT, Music, Forest School and in Reception, French.

DAILY ROUTINE Early Years is located within the Elizabeth Sanger-Davies building. The core teaching day is 09:00 - 15:30. The day, including before and after-school care, is from 07:45 until 17:30 Monday to Friday.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

07:45 - 08:15 08:15 - 08:30 08:30 - 09:00 09:00 09:10 - 10:30 10:30 - 11:00

11:00 - 12:00

12:00

12:00 -13:30 13:30 13:30 - 15:30 15:30 15:45 - 16:30 16:30 - 17:30

Breakfast in the Dining Room Early Birds in the Early Years library Arrival Registration Morning session Playtime Morning session Nursery morning session ends - children collected Lunch in the Dining Room followed by playtime Registration Afternoon session Home time After-school care (pre-booked via the Parent Portal) Tea (pre-booked via the Parent Portal)

ASSESSMENT Your child’s progress will be continually monitored throughout the academic year. This is done through informal, day to day observations. In the Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms, you will have the opportunity to attend a Parents’ Evening to discuss your child’s progress.

You will also receive a full report detailing your child’s progress at the end of the Summer Term.

Individual learning needs are supported by our Early Years SENCO. They will liaise closely with the class teachers and parents to ensure that all children are given the support required and the opportunity to succeed.

WAYS TO HELP AT HOME You can support your child by following their interests and learning alongside them. Model being an enthusiastic learner and relish in the joy of discovering new things together.

Reading with your child is vital. Research shows it is the single most important thing you can do to help your child’s education. It is best to read little and often, so try to put some time aside every day.

Think of ways to make reading fun - you want your child to learn how pleasurable books can be. Books are not just about reading the words, they can also present new ideas and topics to discuss together.

Children make sense of things when they have a purpose and can see the practical application. Therefore, it is important to show how we use skills such as maths in our everyday lives and involve your child in this. Identifying problems and solving them together can help your child develop their mathematical skills.

Lay the table together and talk about how many of each item is required. When you take your child shopping, talk about different quantities. Play games that involve numbers and dice. Spot quantities when you are out and about and numbers on road signs and on houses. Cook together, weighing and measuring ingredients.

MEDICAL If your child is unwell, please fill in the absence request form on the Parent Portal: https://my.stroud-kes.org.uk/login Any pupil who becomes unwell or injured during the school day is referred to Matron. If necessary, you will be contacted to discuss the best course of action. Small bumps and scrapes are managed within our setting by our trained staff and you will be informed of these at collection time.

Medicines, including cough linctus, anti-histamine, paracetamol and ibuprofen preparations, will only be administered to children when there is permission to do so.

If your child requires medication whilst at school, their medicine should be given to Matron in the medical room. A ‘short term medical needs administration of medication form’ must be completed. Please see Matron for these forms, or they can also be collected from the school office.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, please ensure they have had 24 hours of the course before returning to school.

If your child has sickness or diarrhoea, they must be 48 hours clear of the last symptoms before returning to school. If they show signs of a temperature, please keep them at home until they have been 24 hours fever-free.

This is to stop the spread of infection.

Stroud School is Allergy Aware and caters for pupils with a wide range of medical needs, including, but not limited to, gluten intolerance (Coeliac), nut and peanut, egg, and dairy allergies. We also cater for a wide range of cultural dietary requirements. Foodstuffs containing nuts should not be brought on site to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Parents are requested to clearly label all food brought on site that may be shared or sold for charity events. Food brought in for celebrations i.e. birthdays, should be clearly labelled and handed over to the form teacher.

Water bottles

Birthdays

Sun Protection

Your child is allowed to drink water whenever they require throughout the day. We ask in Nursery that they bring in a bottle that they can easily identify and is labelled with their name. In Reception the children have the Stroud water bottles which also need to be labelled. Stroud water bottles are available from Stevensons.

These should only contain water please. The water bottles go home each day to be washed.

Birthdays are important days for the children and we enjoy sharing these special days with them.

On sunny days, a 24 hr sun tan lotion should be applied at home prior to coming to school. If your child is particularly sensitive to the sun and needs further applications, please provide a named bottle of sun cream, which they will be supported to apply. Children should have their school sun hats in each day in the summer.

Children are welcome to bring in cakes or sweets for their birthday, but these must be nut-free, in accordance with our allergy awareness policy. It must be clearly labelled and handed to the class teacher.

Holiday Requests Requests for absence should be made through the Parent Portal.

COMMUNICATION Stroud is a vibrant school, with lots happening every week. We share our exciting news stories in the following media:

The Stroud Bulletin A round up of all information and news is emailed to parents every Friday evening. This also contains essential information about the following week and upcoming events.

Twitter (@Stroud_school) News stories as they happen.

Facebook (@Stroudschool) News stories for you to share with your friends and family.

Instagram (@stroudschool) News stories as they happen.

Evidence Me We also use an online learning journey and will send you observations about your child via this. You will be sent an email explaining this further, along with a link to follow.

School Website stories page (http:// www.stroud-kes.org.uk/whats-happening/news/)

PARENT PORTAL The Stroud Parent Portal provides direct information to you about your child and the school.

Inside this secure area, parents can access information about the school, such as the calendar, as well as child specific information including timetables and school reports.

Parents’ evenings, clubs and after school care are all booked through this system. Please report your child absent from school or request a leave of absence on the home page.

The Portal can be found at https://my.stroud-kes.org.uk/login. When joining the school, you will be sent the link to register and details to log in for the first time. Please note: this will be sent within the first week of the summer holidays.

SSA - STROUD SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Every parent automatically becomes a member of the Stroud School Association (SSA). Our aim is to organise social events for the children, families and staff to help build the strong community and friendships that make Stroud such a special place. All the funds we raise from events such as the Christmas Fayre, Prosecco Party and Easter Egg Hunt are used to fund projects for the benefit of the children.

If you are interested in helping the SSA, please join the SSA Volunteers group on Classlist, or email us on thessacommittee@gmail.com

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTION REPORT

In December 2019, Stroud achieved ‘Excellent’ – the highest possible

grading – in its latest Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The top grading was achieved in both academic achievement and personal development, and was recognised as such from Nursery to Year 8. The ISI is the Ofsted equivalent for independent schools, approved by the Department for Education. This was the first inspection of this type that the school has had since 2011 and follows a Regulated Compliance Inspection in 2017 which the school passed with no recommendations.

A copy of the full inspection report can be found on our website: http://www.stroud-kes.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Stroud-School-King-Edward-VI-Prep-School-RCI-report-v5-2017-03-02.pdf

POLICIES All of our school policies can be found on the Stroud School website: https://www.stroud-kes.org.uk/about-stroud/key-information/

STROUD MAP

Key Facilities: 1 2 3 4

School Reception Highwood House Early Years Key Stage 1

5 Middle School 6 Music 7 ASD Sports Hall 8 Dining Room

9 Matron 10 Wellbeing Centre 11 Forest School 12 Riding Arena

UNIFORM Girls

Boys

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

Stroud navy coat Stroud navy waterproof jacket and trouser set Black leather shoes Wellie boots Wellie socks Water bottle Stroud bookbag (Nursery to Year 2) Stroud rucksack optional KS1

Winter • Stroud tartan pinafore • Stroud green crew neck jumper • Collared, short sleeve white blouse • Navy tights • Stroud green knitted hat • Gloves Summer • Stroud tartan dress • Stroud green cardigan • White ankle socks • Stroud green sunhat

Stroud navy coat Stroud navy waterproof jacket and trouser set Black leather shoes Grey ankle socks Wellie boots Wellie socks Water bottle Stroud bookbag (Nursery to Year 2) Stroud rucksack optional KS1

Winter • Stroud green/white striped short sleeved shirt • Stroud green crew neck jumper • Mid-grey school trousers • Stroud green knitted hat • Gloves Summer • Stroud green/white striped short sleeved shirt • Stroud green crew neck jumper • Mid-grey school shorts (not cargo style) • Stroud green sunhat

UNIFORM SUPPLIER: STEVENSONS All items * are to be purchased from Stevensons. You can order from Stevensons in the following ways: 1. Order online at www.stevensons.co.uk To register, enter ‘Stroud School’, select and follow instructions.

2. Shop in store.

For expert fitting advice and a range of other school essentials’ visit our Bournemouth branch; open 9.00am-5.30pm

Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

148-150 Seabourne Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2JA T: 01202 425192 E: bournemouthbranch@stevensons.co.uk 3.

Telephone orders Call Customer Services Department on 01727 853262 and choose option 1.

Available 9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday and 9.00am-5pm on Saturdays. Items will be posted to your home address.

Please direct any queries regarding uniform to: uniform@stroud-kes.org.uk ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If the weather is warm up to the Autumn Half Term, summer uniform may be worn at the beginning of the Autumn Term. Pupils will be reminded in assembly when to change between uniforms.

Please put a spare change of clothes including underwear and socks into the bottom of your child’s kit bag for emergency use (Nursery and Reception children).

Please ensure that children with long hair have it tied back – bottle green hair ties or bands are preferred.