A Guide to King's Hawford Kindergarten (our Nursery/Pre-school)

A Guide to Kindergarten 1

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My son started in Kindergarten shortly after his second birthday and has enjoyed every minute of his time there. From being a very quiet child he quickly began reciting nursery rhymes and chattering about his day, his friends and, of course, the chickens! The staff were brilliant with him, even on his off days, always on hand to guide and offer encouragement. I will be very sad when the time comes for him to make the step up to Reception but forever thankful for the excellent care and love of learning he has received in Kindergarten.

Parent

A Big Welcome to Kindergarten 1 Situated in a dedicated Early Years building right at the heart of the school, nestled between colourful aviaries and the school double decker library bus, sits King’s Hawford Kindergarten. A nursery within the King’s foundation offering Early Years education to children from 2 to 4.

King’s Hawford is often described as one big happy family and I truly believe that this stems from the warm and nurturing environment on offer in our Kindergarten. We are proud to provide a rural home-from-home setting to ensure young children gain the stability needed to develop confidence and independence as they start their school journey.

Kindergarten 1 is the start of the King’s education journey for many children. Even at this young age we are able to introduce to them a whole range of exciting indoor and outdoor experiences, whilst ensuring they have access to activities that appeal to their individual interests. Children have opportunities to investigate and experience things whilst playing and exploring. They learn to concentrate, to solve problems for themselves, develop their own ideas and to make links by thinking creatively and critically. Children in Kindergarten 1 follow a daily routine that incorporates structured activities alongside child-initiated free play.

Kindergarten 1 is run by a team of dedicated and experienced staff who want the children in their care to thrive and reach their full potential. The beauty of having an onsite nursery at King’s Hawford is that the relationships built in Kindergarten between staff and pupils continue as the children make the transition to Reception and beyond.

Our Kindergarten children experience everything that Hawford has to offer. Whether it’s caring for our chickens and birds, swimming in our indoor heated pool, exploring our Forest School, or taking part in exciting musical sessions, there really is something for everyone.

Anna Kingston Head of Early Years

Children have opportunities to investigate and experience things whilst playing and exploring. They learn to concentrate, to solve problems for themselves, develop their own ideas and to make links by thinking creatively and critically.

A big welcome from all the staff in Kindergarten Each child is given a key worker who is your individual point of contact and who provides on-going development support and familiarity for your child. They complete an on-going record of your child’s progress. This enables them to plan appropriate activities to meet your child’s needs. A learning journey documents observations and photographs of your child’s experiences. You may view this at any time.

Please feel free to ask to speak with your child’s key worker at any time to discuss their progress.

Mrs. West

Mrs. Hooper

Mrs. Obrey

Mrs. Danks

Mrs. Gwilliam

Mrs. Field

Mrs. Powell

Mrs. Watts

Mrs. Simons

Kindergarten Ethos

At King’s Hawford it is our aim to create a happy, stimulating, home-from-home environment, which will promote the learning process for all children and where friendships and confidence my flourish. We aim to provide children with the strongest possible foundations for their education journey. This is done by instilling key characteristics in our pupils. At King’s Hawford….

• We are adventurous. Outdoor learning is at the heart of what we do. We make full use of our local area to enhance educational provision.

• We are respectful. As a school we promote an ethos of tolerance and mutual respect which is rooted in Christian values.

• We are confident. We want all children to show initiative in their own learning and we aim to ensure that each child feels fully included, secure and valued within the school community.

• We are individuals. We nurture growth of individual characteristics through the development of intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual potential.

• We are playful. We believe that childhood is a time of play through which children discover the excitement of learning, the rewards of achievement and acquire life skills. Childhood should be preserved and not rushed.

• Every child, from nursery and beyond, learns to collaborate, persevere, and challenge themselves in order to become inquisitive learners.

Daily Routine

Morning We like to start our day with circle time, once everyone has arrived. It is a good opportunity to sit together to enjoy songs, rhymes and stories.

In the morning we all enjoy a healthy snack of fruit with milk or water. This is a wonderful time for social communication, turn taking and sharing with our peers.

After snack, children are encouraged to take part in a mixture of staff led and child-led activities. Each activity is designed to give children the opportunities to investigate and experience things whilst playing and exploring.

Lunchtime

Afternoon

For lunch we have a two-course, cooked meal in the Kindergarten 2 room next to the Kindergarten kitchen.

Kindergarten 1 staff stay with the children to encourage independence and a good, healthy lunch.

At 1.00pm, children staying all day are encouraged to have a rest time.

After lunch, children attending the morning session only are collected between 12.30 and 12.45pm.

Children are encouraged to lie on a bed and listen to some gentle music or a story.

After an afternoon play, we have sandwiches and a drink of milk or water.

The quality of pupils’ personal development is excellent.

Latest ISI Report, 2017

Throughout the day, the children are offered a range of different activities based on their interests and stage of development. The emphasis is on developing their confidence to “have a go” and learn through investigating.

• During activities we sometimes get messy! Staff will try to protect clothing as much as possible but inevitably mess is part of the learning process.

• Children will need to have wellington boots, hat and gloves (in winter) and sun screen (summer) each day.

We will provide waterproof trousers when necessary.

End of the day At 3.30pm the children can be collected.

A home/school diary is completed each time your child attends. However, we like to speak to parents/carers daily to let you know hoe your child is getting on.

Children not collected by 3.45pm can then stay at our late club which is based in the Kindergarten 1 room with Kindergarten 1 staff where they can play freely with a wide range of toys.

At 5.00pm a light, nutritous tea is served.

Children can be collected at any time up to 5.50pm.

We request that all children are signed out as they leave.

KG1 Daily Routine (approximate) 7.30 - 9.10am

Arrivals and activities

9.15am

Story and welcome

9.30am

Snack

9.45am

Activities

11.15am

Songs/stories/DVD

11.30am

Lunch

12.10pm

Activities

12.30-12.45pm Hometime-morning session 1.00pm

Rest time

2.15pm

Outdoor play/Activities

3.00pm

Tea

3.20pm

Storytime

3.30pm

Hometime

3.45pm

Late-club

5.00pm

Light tea

5.50pm

Final collection

Additional Information KG1 Weekly routine There will be weekly sessions in: Forest School, PE and Music (Shake, Rattle and Groove - for a small traditional cost) and swimming will be fortnightly.

Practical Guidelines:

• A pair of clearly named wellington boots should be in school at all time.

• Sunscreen should be in school when appropriate.

• Where possible, toys should not be brought into school unless they support topic work and interest/activity levels.

It is appreciated that comforters are sometimes needed.

• A set of spares including socks, pants, polo shirt and tracksuit should be kept in a navy drawstring bag on the child’s peg.

• A loop should be sewn on all garments to be hung on pegs, including tracksuit tops.

• Children in nappies should have spare nappies and wipes in school at all times and cream as required.

• All belongings should be clearly named including shoes and socks.

• Warm hats and gloves should be at school when the weather dictates.

• Children may have a ‘Home/School Diary’ used for staff or parents and carers to write notes and comments, especially if staff are unable to speak to parents at the end of the session.

Toilet Training We work together with parents/carers to help with toilet training. Please supply nappies, wet wipes, cream and a change of clothes, including pants (if required) and socks in the pump bag.

Nappy changing supplies are all kept in named baskets in the changing area. A note will be put in the diary when supplies are running low.

Progress Check and Parents Evening: Kindergarten 1 staff conduct progress checks and provide parents / carers with a short written summary of their child’s development in the prime areas. This progress check, which should be shared with the Health Visitor, will identify the child’s strengths and any areas where progress is less than expected.

ksw.org.uk King’s Hawford School Lock Lane Worcester WR3 7SD t: 01905 451292 e: hawford@ksw.org.uk

Useful Contacts Kindergarten contact number: 01905 459541 King’s Hawford office number: 01905 451292 Email: Hawford@ksw.org.uk

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