Welcometo Eastfield’sAcademy
Nursery
OurEarlyYears
OurValues
Eastfield Primary Academy is proud to be part of The Enquire Learning Trust & is strongly shaped by the values & ambitions of the Trust.
At Eastfield Primary, we believe that all children should be given the opportunity to flourish. Our three main drivers are Pride, Collaboration & Understanding; these underpin everything we do & plan for.
Welcomefromthe Principal
We know that children learn best when parents, carers & school work closely together & we value your support to ensure every child has the very best opportunity to succeed.
We look forward to working with you.
Mrs Kerry Thompson - Principal
MeettheTeam
Miss Katie Tordoff
Early Years Lead
EYFS Practitioner
Mrs Hannah Barratt
EYFS Practitioner
Miss Jo Mills
Teaching Assistant
Mrs Jeanette Wright
SessionTimes
30HourPlaces:
Sessiontimesare8.45amto3.15pm,MondaytoFriday.
15HourPlaces:
Mornings:MondaytoFriday8.45am–11.45am
Afternoons:MondaytoFriday12.15-3.15pm
2.5daysatthestartoftheweek:Monday&Tuesday8.45am–3.15pm, Wednesday8.45am–11.45am
2.5daysattheendoftheweek:Wednesday12.15pm–3.15pm,Thursday& Friday8.45am–3.15pm
For 15 hour parents who wish to pay for additional sessions, these are charged at £5.50 per hour.
Funding
Fees:
All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to 15-hours government funding and some parents who meet particular criteria may also be entitled to 30-hours government funding (further information about 15/30 hour funding can be found at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Nursery extended hours (in excess of 15hrs) - £5.50 per hour;
· any additional sessions are discussed & agreed with the Early Years Lead teacher
· any additional sessions are agreed on a termly basis to ensure that staffing & groupings can accommodate the additional sessions
· all additional sessions must be paid for in full, in advance, on a half termly basis to prevent parents accruing any debt. All agreed sessions will be added as a booking on MCAS before the start of the half term in which provision will be taken. If a child joins our Nursery provision during a half term and additional hours are requested and can be provided, the agreed sessions will be added to MCAS prior to the sessions starting.
· additional sessions cannot be provided if they have not been paid for in advance, to prevent parents accruing any debt
· any missed agreed additional sessions must be paid for, refunds will not be provided if children miss additional sessions due to illness, holidays etc. as staffing levels are agreed on a termly basis
· additional sessions are paid for via the parent app, MCAS (MyChildAtSchool)
Funding
Funding Forms:
All funding forms must be completed and returned to school before the start of each term. Where funding forms have not been received, all Nursery sessions will be charged at a rate of £5.50 per hour. If you have any difficulties completing the form, please let the Office know so they can assist you.
30 Hours Childcare Codes:
If your child is in receipt of 30 hours funding it is your responsibility to ensure that the information is correct and up to date at all times:
You will need to apply online (via www.gov.uk) for a childcare account to get a code for 30 hours. This code must be given to Eastfield Primary Academy before your child starts Nursery.
You must have a valid 30-hour code by the end of the month before a new term starts.
You will need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you will have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have renewed your claim for your child’s eligibility code.
If your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for 30 hours funding then you MUST inform us immediately. You will then have the option to reduce your child’s offer to 15 hours per week (funded) or pay for the additional 15 hours at a rate of £5.50 per hour.
ATypicalSchoolDay
AMorningatEastfield:
·7.45am-8.45am-BreakfastClub
·At8.45am-weopenourdoorsandparentsbringchildrenintothe cloakroomareatohangtheirbelongingsontheirownpeg.Thechildren comeandjointheirgroupintheirteachingareaandchooseanactivity.
·At9.15am-wehavegroupcircletimeandeverychild’sinputisvalued. Wedotheregister,countthechildren,singsongsandtalkaboutthe seasonandtheweather.
·At9.30am-westartourfirstteachingsessionoftheday,thislastsfor around20minutes.Thismaybeaphonics,maths,topicorcurriculum session.
·Wethenmoveintofreeflowactivities,withsometeacherlead activitieshappeningatthesametime.At10.30am,everyonesits together&enjoystheirsnack.
·Ataround11.30am-westopandhavetidyuptimebeforereviewing thechildren’smorninglearning.Wethenhaveastoryandasing-song whichisalovelywaytoendthemorningsession.
·At11.45am-itishometimeorlunchtime.Weopenthedoorsat 11.45amandcalleachchilduponeatatimetogototheirparent/carer toensurethatallthechildrenhavegonetothecorrectadult.
·Ifyourchildstaysforlunch,youcanbookaschoolmealorprovidea packedlunch.ThechildrensittogetherintheNurserytoeat.
AnAfternoonatEastfield:
·At12.10pm-weopenourdoorsfortheafternoonsessionandparents bringchildrenintothecloakroomareatohangtheirbelongingontheir ownpeg.Thechildrenjointhedinnerstafftohavetheirlunch.
·At12.15pm-thechildrenjointheirgroupforregister.Wethenstart theirafternoonteachingsession,thislastsforaround20minutes.This maybeaphonics,maths,topicorcurriculumsession.
·Wethenmoveintofreeflowactivities,withsometeacherlead activitieshappeningatthesametime.At2.15pm,everyonesits together&enjoystheirsnack.
·Ataround2.50pm-westopandhavetidyuptimebeforereviewing thechildren’safternoonlearning.Wethenhaveastoryandasing-song whichisalovelywaytoendtheday.
·At3.15pm-itishometime.Weopenthedoorsat3.15pmandcalleach childuponeatatimetogototheirparent/carertoensurethatallthe childrenhavegonetothecorrectadult.
·3.15pm-6.00pm-WraparoundCare
Clubs
Breakfast Club:
· Breakfast Club is available to all children from Nursery to Year 6, Monday to Friday, 7.45am to 8.45am.
· A selection of cereals, toast, orange juice, apple juice & milk are available.
· There are a range of activities & games played, e.g. craft activities, board games & dodgeball.
· Breakfast Club is £3.00 per session.
· Sessions are booked via the parent app, MCAS (MyChildAtSchool).
· All sessions are booked and paid for in advance to prevent parents accruing any debt.
· If a child does not have a place booked at Breakfast Club & therefore is not on the daily register, they will not be allowed to attend; we need to ensure that we have appropriate staffing levels at all times.
An MCAS account will be activated for you, when your child/children start with us.
WraparoundCare:
·WraparoundCareisavailabletoallchildrenfromNurserytoYear6, MondaytoFriday,3.15pmto6.00pm.
·Asnackisprovided,e.g.toast,fruit&biscuits.
·Therearearangeofactivitiesonofferthatchangeacrosstheweek.
·WraparoundCarefrom:
*3.15pmto5.00pmis£7.00perchild/day.
*3.15pmto6.00pmis£10.00perchild/day.
·Sessionsarebookedviatheparentapp,MCAS(MyChildAtSchool).
·Allsessionsarebookedandpaidforinadvancetopreventparents accruinganydebt.
PleaseNote:
·Ifachildiscollectedafter6.00pm,therewillbeaminimumchargeof £50aswethenneedtopaystaffovertime.
Weacceptthe'GovernmentTaxFreeChildcareScheme'whichcan provideupto20%offBreakfastand/orWraparoundCarefees.
Lunch & Snacks
Lunch Arrangements:
· Any child, who is in school for a full day can access a paid lunch. Lunch can be booked via the MCAS App; the cost is £2.25/meal and lunches need to be booked a week in advance.
You can choose from:
· a main meal - a meat or vegetarian option is available
· a jacket potato with a filling
· a sandwich option
· & a dessert option
If you prefer, you can send your child with a packed lunch, or you can access both paid lunches & provide packed lunches to suit your child’s preferences.
Snack Arrangements:
· Children are provided on a daily basis with a piece of fruit or vegetable (these are seasonal) and a carton of milk. Children eat their snacks together.
Snack times:
· 10.30am morning session
· 2.15pm afternoon session
Staff ensure that all children have accessed something.
Drinking Water:
· Although the children have a drink and snack during the session, research has shown that children can concentrate for longer if they are well hydrated. Therefore, on-entry to our Nursery, we provide each child with a water bottle. These are sent home on a daily basis for you to clean and refill.
LearningThroughPlay
Play is often viewed as a simple pastime for children, but its significance in early childhood education is profound. Play-based learning fosters essential cognitive, social, and emotional development in young learners.
Play-based learning is an educational approach that uses play as the primary mode of learning. Children engage in structured and unstructured play to explore concepts, solve problems, and develop skills. This method is rooted in the understanding that children learn best when they are actively involved and having fun.
Our highly skilled team provide a learning environment that enables children to explore, create, experiment and play! Our resources,equipment and activities are all set up in a way that meets the developmental needs of each child. Our staff will regularly play with the children because it is our skilled questioning and support that helps them to progress.Throughout each day the children will play independently, in groups, with an adult, at a table, on the floor, writing in a book, writing in the mud! We encourage all of our parents to play with their children at home too. You will be amazed at what children are capable of when we meet them at their level.
IndoorEnvironment
OutdoorEnvironment
SchoolUniform
Our uniform consists of:
· Red sweatshirt or cardigan
· White or red polo shirt
· Black or grey trousers, skirt or pinafore (or red checked summer dresses)
Children may find it easier to wear black/grey jogging bottoms/leggings to enable them to undress/dress themselves when they use the toilet unaided.
We also recommend Velcro-fastening shoes (rather than laces or buckles) for Early Years children so that they can change in and out of their shoes independently.
Nursery children will not need a PE kit.
Uniform with our logo on can be purchased from Uniform Direct or The Uniform Hut however, this is not compulsory.
We also aim to play outside in all weathers so please supply your child with a warm coat or raincoat during cold or wet weather, and a hat and sun-cream during hot weather.
WhenWillMyChildStart?
Children start at Eastfield Nursery the term after they are 3 years old. We have three intakes across the year - September, January and Easter unless we are full. It is never to early to apply for a place!
WhatCanIdotoPrepare?
The Importance of Nursery Readiness:
Getting ready for Nursery can be a big change in a little person's life. It is a big step forward and is another change of routine for your child. There'll be new things to learn and new rules to follow, as well as making new friends . Your child may feel nervous and anxious - and you may do too - as they prepare for the change but there are lots of things you can do to help them before they start. We have some top tips on the following page to make transition easier!
TopTips!
Let’sPretend:
TogetyourchildusedtotheideaofNursery,tryplay-actingthedifferentthingsinvolved.Everyday activitiesyoucanpretendtodoare:
Sayinggoodbyetoeachother,andhelloagain(forwhenyouseethemagain)
Childrenloveroutine-&routinestoo-sogettingthemusedtoagoodbyesequencenow,canhelpthem betterunderstand&beprepared.
Takingoff&hangingupacoat-&puttingitonagain.
Answeringtheirnameonaregister-geteveryoneinthehousetojoinin,evenpets!
Practicesittingcrossedleg
Readstories&singsongstogether
PuttheminthePicture:
ReadsomebookstogetherthatshowcharactersgoingtoNursery.Mostchildrenliketohearthesame storiesagain&again,soyoucanreassureyourchild,usingthestoriesthatNurseryisgoingtobeapositive experience.Youcantalkaboutthestoriestogether&howthecharactersarefeeling.
Youcouldtryreading:
Spot Loves Nursery
I’m Starting Nursery: A Pirate Pete Book
Maisy Goes to Nursery
A Little Bit Brave
I’ll Always Come Back to You
TopTips!
Thrills,Spills&NewSkills:
OnceyourchildisatNursery,practiceskillsathome:
Hanginguptheircoat
Removingtheirbackpack
Takingfoodoutofalunchbox
Fasteningtheirshoes
Zippinguptheircoat
TheFinalCountdown:
Aheadofthefirstday-ideallyaweekormorebefore yourchildisduetostartatNursery-startpractising yourchild’snewbedtime&morningroutine.Thiswill keepthingscalm&relaxed.
ListentoTheirConcerns:
It’sonlynaturalthatyourchildmightbeconcerned aboutstartingNursery.Besuretolistentoany questionstheyaskorfearstheymayhave.Theymay beworriedaboutwhatstaffwillbelike,oreven whetheryou-orwhoeveristocollectthem-will remembertobethere!Encouragethemtosharewhat theyarefeelingsothatyoucanhelpthemtothink throughhowtodealwithanyworries.Reassurethem thatit’snormaltofeelalittlescared&thatlotsof peoplecanfeelthatway.
Makinga‘good’goodbye:
Onthefirstday,it’stimetoputyour‘sayinggoodbye’ practiceintoaction.Remember: Keepitpositive
Trynottoturnbackonceyou’veleft BeassuredthatNurserystaffwillbeusedto everysituation&willdoalltheycantoensurea seamlesstransitionforbothyou&yourchild.
KeepinginTouch
The My Child at School (MCAS) free app is where lots of school information is shared such as attendance, payments, trips, clubs & school dinners.
We also use Instagram to showcase our children’s learning. You can find our account at: eastfieldprimaryacademy