Brochure for Mums, Dads and Carers (Part 1)

Rachel McMillan Nursery School and Children’s Centre McMillan Street, London SE8 3EH Tel: 020 8692 4041 Headteacher: Theresa Lane

Welcome to Rachel McMillan Nursery School and Children’s Centre (Part 1) September 2014

Dear Mums, Dads and Carers, Welcome to Rachel McMillan Nursery School and Children’s Centre.

We offer: – A maintained nursery school, funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich, for 3 and 4 year old children – A beautiful, large garden for your child to play in with their friends, in all weathers – 15 hours per week, term time only, free nursery education (from the term after your child is 3) – Additional hours that you can pay for if we have space – Morning and after school fee paying sessions (extended day) – Holiday fee paying sessions for the 3 and 4 year old children (extended day) – 15 hours per week, term time only, free nursery entitlement for targeted 2 year old children – A Children’s Centre with a range of services to meet the needs of local families.

We hope that the time that you spend with us will be happy and that we can all work together to make sure you and your child really benefit from the nursery and Centre services we offer.

Starting somewhere new can be worrying, so we have written this booklet to answer some of your questions and to give you some general information about how the Centre works.

Please remember that we are always here to help you and your child. Never be afraid to approach any member of staff, (although sometimes we may have to ask you to make an appointment if the shelter or Centre is busy and you need to talk for any length of time.)

We look forward to getting to know you and your child.

Theresa Lane, Headteacher and all the staff at Rachel McMillan

CENTRE AIMS At Rachel McMillan Nursery our aims are: •

To enable children and adults to develop as confident, happy, independent, able learners

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To develop children’s confidence, self esteem and self expression

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To build on children’s experiences, knowledge, culture and beliefs by providing a rich variety of play experiences

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To help children learn about cultural diversity

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To promote a harmonious, respectful society

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To provide a calm, welcoming and supportive environment

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To provide a safe and stimulating place to learn and work

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To make a place where everybody’s views and contributions are valued

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To encourage family involvement in nursery life

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To share information and knowledge with mums, dads and carers about their child

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To aid smooth transitions from home to nursery and nursery to primary school

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To lay a positive foundation for future learning

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To make learning fun

We Believe That All Children: •

Have the right to learn and play

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Come to nursery with a great deal of knowledge and experience

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Are more likely to develop as learners if they are happy and secure and have a sense of well being

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Are enthusiastic and receptive learners with a natural curiosity

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Should feel safe to make, and learn from, mistakes.

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Are unique individuals and are entitled to have the opportunity to learn at their own pace and in their own way

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Learn most effectively through active investigation, enquiry, first-hand experience, play and talk

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Need time and space to engage in activities in depth and time to follow through, consolidate and reflect upon their own learning

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Are natural communicators and need a range of opportunities to interact with peers and adults

NURSERY We have 104 places for 3 and 4 year old children.

We can offer: morning places – 9.15 a.m. – 11.45 a.m. x 4 days + one full day 9.15 a.m. – 3.15 p.m.

OR afternoon places – 12.45 p.m.–3.15 p.m. x 4 days + one full day 9.15 a.m.–3.15 p.m.

We have some full time places for children with particular needs.

We also have some additional hours places (if there is space), which you can buy to make longer days.

We offer 15 hours per week provision for 2 year olds who meet certain criteria (contact the office for further information).

3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours free nursery education and should attend every day.

ADMISSIONS Children's names can go on our application list from birth. You are most welcome to visit at any time either before or after you apply for a place.

Please telephone or call in to make an appointment.

We allocate places every school term according to the number of vacancies available.

We always give places first to children living nearest to the Centre or children who have brothers or sisters already in the Centre or children who have an additional educational, medical or social need.

The children we take reflect, as far as possible, the local community with a range of backgrounds and cultures.

CENTRE TIMES The nursery school is open 9.15 a.m. – 3.15 p.m. term time only.

• The 2 year old provision is open 8.45 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. term time only.

• Extended day is open 8.00 a.m. – 9.15 a.m. and 3.15 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. in term time.

• Extended day is open 8.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. in the school holidays.

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The Children’s Centre is open from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. for 48 weeks a year.

The whole Centre is closed 5 days per year for staff training and there are 6 late openings (10.00 a.m.) for staff meetings.

ALL EXTENDED DAY children can arrive from 8.00 a.m. and should be collected no later than 5.55 p.m.

Our 3 and 4 year old FULL DAY children arrive between 9.15 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and can be collected at 3.00 p.m. OR 3.15 p.m.

Our 3 and 4 year old MORNING PART TIME children arrive between 9.15 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. and are collected at 11.45 a.m. AFTERNOON PART TIME children arrive at 12.45 p.m. and can be collected at 3.00 p.m. OR 3.15 p.m.

Please let us know if you will be unavoidably late and someone else is collecting your child instead. Remember that it can be distressing to always be the last child collected.

Our staff need to leave the centre by 6 p.m.

CHARGES 15 hours Nursery Education for 3 and 4 year olds in the recognised Greenwich school terms is free.

There is a charge for any additional hours and school holidays for 3 and 4 year olds. (Please see our separate leaflet for details.) These charges are reviewed every year and may be raised from 1st April. You will be given at least 4 weeks notice of any increases.

LATENESS and ABSENCE Please try and let us know if your child is going to be late. The children quickly settle into chosen groups and begin a variety of activities. Children who arrive late can find in hard to fit in and find their place in the shelter. If you are going to be late and your child needs lunch, please ring us to book the meal by 9.45 a.m.

Please try and help us by not sending children to the Centre if they are not well, as illnesses quickly spread with young children. You should allow at least one clear day at home after sickness and diarrhoea. We are only able to administer medicine if children are recognised to have a permanent medical condition – not for coughs and colds etc.

Although Nursery Education is not statutory, regular attendance is important and sets the pattern for when your child is older. Please let us know if your child is on holiday or unwell and do not keep them at home without good reason.

HOLIDAYS AND CLOSURES Although the Centre is open throughout the year, many children will attend for term time only and we follow the Greenwich Education dates for holidays.

These are available at the Office on request.

The Centre is closed to everyone for a week over Christmas and New Year, for a week over Easter and two weeks around August bank holiday. There are also five additional days when we are closed for staff training and we will advise you of these dates as early as possible. We also open at 10 a.m. once a half term (6 times a year) for staff training and development.