The Nursery Handbook 2020

RUSHEY GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL

NURSERY HANDBOOK MAY 2020

Rushey Green Primary School Culverley Road Catford London SE6 2LA Tel: 020 8698 5001

RUSHEY GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL CULVERLEY ROAD CATFORD RUSHEY SE6 2LA TEL: (020) 8698 5001

Meet the staff team

OUTINGS Outings are an important part of the nursery curriculum in broadening the children’s experiences. Some outings are local, but others may require us to take public transport. In order for these trips to take place we are always looking for parent/carer volunteers to accompany us in order to ensure the children’s safety. (It is essential to have at least 1 adult per 2 children).

Headteacher: Mrs L Williams TRANSFER TO PRIMARY SCHOOL (RECEPTION) Deputy Headteacher: Mr M. Grocock EYFS Lead: Jules Davis SENCO Ms A Hughes Nursery Staff: Ms. Barker Nursery Teacher Ms. Stewart Nursery Teacher Miss C. Huxley Early Years Educator (EYE) Ms Y Nelson Teaching Assistant

Ms. J. Simmonds Ms. J. Drummond

Mid-Day Cover Mid-Day Cover

All Lewisham schools have one point of entry year in September. Therefore, you are advised to log on to the Lewisham website www.lewisham.gov.uk which will take you through the steps on how to apply for a primary school place in September. You are strongly recommended to use all six preferences when applying so as not to restrict your application. All parents/carers need to apply even if they have older siblings within the school.

We hope the information in this booklet has been useful. We look forward to welcoming both you and your child to school.

Welcome to Rushey Green Nursery HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS As part of our commitment to keeping healthy at Rushey Green Nursery we provide nutritionally balanced menus and cater for all dietary requirements. Lunch menus are planned using fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables and are cooked and prepared on the premises by our fantastic cook.

We offer water to drink with meals and children have access to water and milk throughout the day. We also provide healthy snacks for the children to choose from during the day. These include a selection of raw vegetables, e.g. carrots and cucumbers as well as a selection of fruits such as apples, oranges and pears.

SCHOOL MEALS Children attending nursery are not eligible for free school meals and are required to pay for lunches or bring a healthy packed lunch. To check whether you qualify for free school meals from the Local Authority please follow this link:

We hope that both you and your child will be very happy during your time with us. This booklet will tell you a little of what we are about as well as informing you of some of our policies and routines.

THE NURSERY UNIT Rushey Green Nursery is part of Rushey Green Primary School, which is a large multi-cultural primary school. In the nursery unit, we have spaces for up to 100 children – with a maximum of 50 children at any given time.

The staffing is made up of 2 teachers and 2 Early Years Educators (EYE), together with lunchtime-cover. We also regularly have students working with us.

https://www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/student-pupilsupport/Pages/Free-school-meals.aspx

BIRTHDAYS

NURSERY HOURS

We enjoy celebrating birthdays at school. We make it a special occasion by singing Happy Birthday to your child. However, as we are a healthy school, we do ask that you do not bring in any cakes, sweets or party bags. Also, many children have allergies to certain foods. If you would like to bring something in please provide some fruit that we can share with the group or you may wish to buy a book for our school library which many children enjoy doing.

Nursery 1 - Monday - Tuesday 8.45am to 3.10pm and Wednesday 8.45am to 11.30pm Nursery 2 - Wednesday 12.45pm to 3.10pm and Thursday Friday 8.55am to 3.10pm Nursery 3 - Monday – Friday 8.45am – 3.10pm We do appreciate your efforts in ensuring that children are brought and collected on time. When you arrive, please help your child to find his or her name, borrow a book from our library and then encourage and settle them at an activity.

KEEPING TRACK OF CHILDREN’S PROGRESS THE NURSERY DAY 8.45 - 9.00 9:00 - 10.40 10.40 -10.50 10.50 -11.05 11.05 -11.15 11.20 -12.45 1.00 - 1.05 1.05 - 1.25 1.25 - 2.30 2.30 - 2.45 2.45 - 3.10 3.10

Self-registration/change library books Child initiated and adult initiated activities inside and outside Tidy up time Phonics Toilet and hand washing Lunchtime plus outdoor play Afternoon register Numeracy session Child initiated and adult initiated activities inside and outside Tidy up time Story/singing time Home time

SETTLING INTO THE NURSERY Whatever pre-nursery experience your child has already had, Rushey Green Nursery is a new environment for them to adjust to.

At first, we may ask you or a familiar adult to stay until your child has settled. Because each child is an individual, we are very flexible in our arrangements for settling children into nursery.

Working together with you, we will suggest the most helpful arrangements for your child.

During your child’s time with us we will track your child’s progress through careful observations and assessment. These observations then help staff plan future learning opportunities.

Each child has a learning journey book, which records your child’s progress. These books contain photos and samples of your child’s achievements. We also welcome your input as well, so if your child achieves something at home and you would like to share it with us, please make sure you tell a member of staff and we will add it to their book.

You will be invited to attend two parents’ evenings a year to discuss your child’s progress and you will receive a final report at the end of each academic year.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY It is extremely important that your child attends school on time and every day. Children arriving late can be extremely unsettling not just for your child, but the entire class. At the start of the day we greet one another, self-register and choose a new book to take home. These are vital activities to ensure your child develops in all areas of the EYFS curriculum.

In addition, it is important that you collect your child on time (3.10pm) as this ensures the staff have time to prepare the class and resources for the next day’s learning.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

NURSERY LIBRARY

We welcome parents into the nursery to help with activities and events. In this way, we hope to develop good relationships between home and school so that together we can provide a secure and stimulating environment for all our children. Staff are always available to talk with you at the beginning and the end of the session, and we will regularly find opportunities to talk with you about how your child is settling and progressing.

You are welcome to borrow a book from the nursery library every day. Your child will be given a plastic wallet to keep the books in.

Please choose a book with your child at the beginning of the session and place the book in the plastic wallet. Books will be given out at the end of each day. You may choose a different book when the last one you have borrowed has been returned. We operate this system on the understanding that we may need to ask for a contribution if books or folders are lost or damaged.

EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS) This is a framework for learning, development and care for children from birth to five. It is divided into 3 Prime areas of learning and development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language. It also has 4 Specific areas of learning and development, Understanding the World, Express Arts and Design, Literacy and Mathematics.

We use this curriculum framework to help us observe and plan for your child following their own particular needs, interests and passions at school. We plan activities through play to make sure that every child reaches their full potential through all seven areas of learning.

OUTDOOR PLAY The Early Years Foundation Stage clearly states that children MUST have access to outside provision all year round. Children enjoy playing outside in all weathers including rain and benefit in many ways some of which are listed below:  Children can learn to take risks and try new activities  They can explore the natural environment  They have room to run around  It encourages independence  Increases knowledge of wildlife, plants, the weather, seasons etc  Children will develop physically, mentally and spiritually Research shows that boys especially, benefit from outdoor play as they tend to learn from hands-on experiences. Children can exercise their gross motor skills by running, climbing, jumping balancing etc. Fresh air and exercise are proven to be good for the brain and for a general feeling of well-being.

CONTACT ADDRESS FORM You will be asked to fill in a Contact Form, because if your child should be taken ill or has an accident at school, it is important that we know how and where to contact you. Please inform the office of any change of address or phone number immediately. Only adults named on the Contact Form will be allowed to collect children, so please let us know of people you want to add to the form.

On the rare occasion that you cannot collect your child and somebody else is, we ask that you inform a member of staff in advance by telephone, verbally or in writing. We will not allow any child to be collected by anyone under 16 years of age.

SICKNESS Please keep your child at home if she/he is unwell. The school needs to know the reason for your child’s absence, particularly if an infectious illness is involved after sickness or diarrhoea, there must be a clear 48 hours before the child returns to school.

ALLERGIES If your child has or develops any allergies please ensure you inform the school immediately. We do not allow any nuts in school.

HEALTH AND OTHER SERVICES Speech and language Therapists, Educational Psychologists and Educational Social Workers sometimes visit the school by appointment They are able to offer help and advice to both staff and parents about the children’s welfare. If the staff have any concerns about a child, these will always be discussed with the Headteacher and the child’s parent(s). Similarly, if you have any queries or concerns regarding your child please do not hesitate to contact the Class Teacher or Head Teacher.

CHILDREN WITHSPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (SEND) It is the aim of the school to meet the individual needs of children and all children are encouraged to become as independent as possible. Where a child has a specifically identified educational need the school will endeavour to make appropriate provision.

Close links are maintained with the Speech Therapists and the school will assist parents who wish to make use of this services.

CLOTHING School uniform in the nursery is not compulsory. However, we do ask that you send your child to school in appropriate clothing that they can manage by themselves, this includes shoes and trainers with velcro, no laces please. Your child will be taking part in many sensory activities which include touch, smell, hearing, seeing and hopefully not too much taste. Children will often take their messy play further by using it to build on so please make sure that they are wearing clothes that allow for this (Children are encouraged to wear aprons though at all messy activities) No jewellery is allowed in school, but if your child has pierced ears then studs can be worn. Please ensure all your child’s belongings are clearly named as this will help us return any lost or mislaid items.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY Every member of staff has a responsibility for the safety and welfare of the children who attend school. Staff have a duty to refer to the Designated Child Protection Officer if they have concerns about signs which may indicate that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, ‘significant harm’ from neglect, physical injury, sexual abuse or emotional abuse.

ANTI-RACIST POLICY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

We believe that every child should have the same opportunities, regardless of their sex, class, race, religion or physical ability. To ensure this equality, we continually challenge the traditional roles and expectations of both boys and girls. In all areas of learning we ensure that the school reflects and values the cultural diversity of the children and we encourage mutual respect and understanding of differences.

We believe it is essential to combat racism firmly and consistently, and will never ignore any racist incident. We will always speak to the child or adult concerned to establish the facts and make it clear that racism, in any form, will not be tolerated.

CHANGING CHILDREN’S CLOTHES On the rare occasion we may need to change your child if they get wet or when they haven’t manged to get to the toilet on time. For this reason, we keep a small stock of spare clothes. If we do need to change your child please make sure you return the nursery clothes within five days to help us keep our stocks at the right level. Alternatively, if you would like to leave a spare set of clothes for your child then that would be really helpful.

FULL TIME PLACES All Nursery aged children are entitled to 15 free hours per week and for most working parents, this is increased to 30 hours per week. To check whether you are eligible for this, please apply on line following this link: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcarecosts/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds