EARLY YEARS PROSPECTUS

EARLY YEARS PROSPECTUS

Thrunscoe Primary and Nursery Academy

Headteachers Welcome Message It really is a great honour to be the Headteacher of TPNA. As you move through your ‘Thrunscoe Academy journey’, the staff and I believe that your child will be extremely happy here.

This prospectus has been compiled in order to provide you with key information for you to refer to throughout the year.

We rely on you to tell us if your child experiences any difficulties here and pride ourselves on being sympathetic and flexible when dealing with any problems. We are here to help, so please approach us if you require support. The staff and I are available both before and after the academy day, if you require a brief chat.

It may be advisable to make an appointment with either myself or the class teacher if you need a longer discussion.

You will be invited into the academy on many occasions to share in your child's work or to take part in events. We do welcome parent helpers and value any time you can spare. Please remember that we are here to provide a service and if you have any ideas on how we can improve this service please let us know.

Kindest regards Mr S. P Bate

B. Ed (Hons), NPQH

Early Years Leaders Welcome Message My name is Emma Allen and I am the Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Leader at Thrunscoe Academy. My most important role within the Academy is to ensure that our youngest learners are happy, safe and inspired to learn.

I have been teaching for a very long time now and every day I love my job more. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with such amazing children every day. They truly bring me so much joy. I am also a Mum to two beautiful boys. Our favourite place to be is the beach where a new adventure awaits every time we visit.

I cannot wait to meet your child and welcome them into their new school family. I just know that we are going to have a great time together.

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WELCOME TO TPNA

We want our pupils to SHINE so that they can maintain positive mental and physical well-being, be happy, be safe, be successful and lead a productive life that will allow them to adapt and flourish in an ever-changing world: Our Ethos / Motto: ‘Let Children Shine’ Our Vision: To teach all our children HOW to 'SHINE' so that they can lead a successful, productive, safe and happy life (tomorrow).

Our Mission: To provide high quality learning experiences daily that develop all of our children’s personal 'SHINE' (today): Our 'SHINE' Values and Aims: S - Skills and knowledge - so they can succeed academically and lead a successful and productive life.

H - Honesty and openness - so they can build positive well-being and lead a happy and safe life.

I - Initiative - so they become motivated, proud, problem solvers with a desire to do their very best at all times.

N - Never give up attitude and bounce back ability - so they can learn from mistakes / difficulties, move forwards positively and flourish in an ever-changing world.

E - Empathy and compassion - so they can build understanding of others’ opinions and needs in order to develop healthy and supportive relationships.

OUR VISION

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Contents

Page

Meet the Early Years staff

4

Parent Partnership

5

A Typical Day

6

Our Learning Environment

7

Our Curriculum

8

Starting Nursery

9-12

Starting Reception

13-16

General Information

17-20

Getting Ahead in Reading

21

Top Tips

22

Academy Results

23

All staff and governors

24

Term Dates

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CONTENTS PAGE

Mrs E. Allen

Miss J. Marsh

Miss G. Ashurst

Assistant Headteacher

Teacher

EYP / HLTA

Miss K. Ridall

Mrs C. Albery

Mrs K. Allenby

Key Worker

Key Worker

Key Worker

Mrs M. Scrivener

Mrs D. Winters

Mrs M. Rudland

SEND Support

Lunchtime Supervisor

Lunchtime Supervisor

EYFS Lead

MEET THE TEAM

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According to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, a partnership includes ‘parents, families and practitioners working together to benefit children’.

At Thrunscoe, we believe that an effective home-school partnership that benefits children is built on trust, involvement and ultimately in shared expectations.

Involvement Trust

We understand that leaving your child at such a young age is difficult and requires a huge amount of trust. Everyone at Thrunscoe is friendly, open and honest at all times.

Parents need to be involved in their children’s learning and development. Children need to know that learning is important to you and that school is an important place. We need to work together and link home and school in as many ways as we can to support your child.

You can expect us to:

You can expect us to:



Make sure your child is happy, safe and making friends at school.

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Share your child’s special moments with you.

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Share any concerns with you.

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Communicate with you regularly in person.

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Share your child’s learning with you regularly on ’Tapestry’.

Let you know what is happening in the academy in good time.

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Keep you up-to-date with your child’s progress.

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Support you in any way that we can to ensure the best for your child.

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Assign your child a key worker to ensure that their individual needs are met.



Give them the very best start to their education.

We can expect you to: 

Tell us if something has changed at home.

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Share your child’s out of school experiences with us by uploading to ’Tapestry.



Talk to us if you have any worries or concerns, no matter how small.

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We can expect you to:

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Attend parent evenings.

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Read with your child at home regularly.

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Support your child with any homework.

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Make sure that your child has everything they need for a successful school day.

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Read letters and texts and respond accordingly.

PARENT PARTNERSHIP

AM Nursery Timetable 8:40-8:55am—Welcome activities (fine motor skills, building their names) 8:55-9:00am—Register 9:00-11:00am—COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time—indoors or outdoors 11:00-11:30am—Group time (phonics, maths, speaking and listening, mark making) 11:30-11:40am—Story and singing

Reception Timetable 8:40-8:55am—Morning Activities (fine/ gross motor, name writing, handwriting etc) 8:55-9:00am - Register 9:00-9:15am - Reading 9:15-9:40am - Monster Phonics 9:40-10:05am - Maths

PM Nursery Timetable 12:15-12:25pm—Welcome activities (fine motor skills, building their names) 12:25-12:30pm—Register 12:30-2:30pm—COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time—indoors or outdoors 2:30-3:00pm—Group time (phonics, maths, speaking and listening, mark making) 3:00-3:10pm—Story and singing time 3:10-3:15pm—Get ready for home

10:05-11:00am - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - indoors or outdoors 11:00-11:30 - PE/Topic 11:30-11:40am - Tidy up and wash hands for lunch 11:40-12:45pm - Lunch in the classroom and COOL time - indoors and outdoors 12:45-12:50pm - Register and drink 12:50-1:40pm - Topic/PE 1:40-2:30pm - COOL (Choose Our Own Learning) time - indoors or outdoors 2:30-3:00pm - Tidy up time and Story 3:00-3:15pm - Get ready for home

A TYPICAL DAY

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We are very fortunate to have a large, bright learning space for our children.

Although Nursery and Reception children all share a space, they are not taught as mixed year groups so they do not formally learn together in the same space at the same time.

This balanced environment gives all our children the chance to

SHINE

Our learning environment is thoughtfully set out to ensure that the children have spaces to explore freely, choosing and selecting the resources that they need for their choice of play whilst providing quieter spaces where the children can access teacher led learning activities away from all distractions.

Risk Assessments

At Thrunscoe, we believe that risk-taking is fundamental. When the risk is successful it motivates children to seek further challenge. When the risk is not successful it often leads to children testing new ideas and finding personal capabilities and limits. In this way, children can overcome fears and build new skills. To ensure that your children are safe whilst taking controlled risks, we risk assess all of our activities and risk assess the indoor and outdoor environment daily.

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OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Nursery Curriculum

At Thrunscoe, we use the DFE’s ‘Development Matters’ document as a starting point to plan for our children’s interests and fascinations. We firmly believe that children learn best when they are happy, motivated and engaged. Our skilled staff facilitate children’s own enquiries and plan quality, purposeful play to support children with their next steps. This, alongside daily teacher input that meet individuals needs, give our young learners the knowledge and skills to get the best from their independent learning time. We believe that this balance gives our children the best start to their education whilst allowing them the freedom to be independent thinkers, learners and decision makers.

Reception Curriculum

At Thrunscoe, we follow the statutory EYFS curriculum and measure our children’s learning against the Early Learning Goals. We teach the children the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful learners through traditional tales. In each tale, we provide the children with a ‘wow’ moment that inspires their learning and promotes enthusiasm for the mini topic. Whilst providing this stimulus for the children, we also give our children the time to lead their own learning and enquiries everyday. We understand that children have their own interests and these are always facilitated by skilled and knowledgeable staff.

Traditional Tales include: Autumn Term - All About Me, Autumn Festivals, Jack and the Beanstalk, Christmas Spring Term - Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Rapunzel, The Frog Prince Summer Term - The Gingerbread Man, The Three Little Pigs, The Little Red Hen, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Enormous Turnip, Goldilocks and The Three Bears

OUR CURRICULUM

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How do I apply for a Nursery Place?

Call into the school office to complete a Nursery application form (please bring your child’s birth certificate with you) or contact us on : 01472 320781 Your child will be added to our Nursery waiting list and we will contact you near to our intake dates which are the beginning of September, January and April.

When and where do I drop off and collect from Nursery?

5 morning sessions - 8:40-11:40am (Drop off at the COOL room door and collect from the side door).

5 afternoon sessions - 12:15-3:15pm (Drop off at the side door and collect from the COOL room door).

We also have 30 hour places available (if you are eligible for a government 30 hour funding code).

Please ask at the office.

5 full days - 8:40-3:15pm (Drop off and collect from the COOL room door).

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STARTING

What else will my child need?

Please send your child to school with a full set of spare clothing, including socks and shoes. Sometimes they are having so much fun, they don’t make it to the toilet on time. Other times, despite our waterproof clothing, your child will get wet and need changing.

Please also send your child in with 

A named pair of wellington boots that can stay in school as we love messy play.



A named water bottle so that your child can access a drink whenever they need it.

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A packed lunch if they are staying for the 30 hours.

Does my child need to wear uniform?

Our school sweatshirts are available to purchase from Greenswear which is located on High Street, however this is not compulsory in Nursery. Your child will get dirty on a regular basis due to the nature of their exploratory learning. Many parents prefer a uniform as it saves their own clothing!

NURSERY

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How will my child learn in Nursery?

Your child will learn through planned and purposeful play. Our skilled staff will interact with your child, plan activities and organise provision that meets their needs and interests. They will assess your child against the EYFS development matters document and track their progress.

Activities will be planned to ensure that your child is having all of the experiences necessary to develop a love of learning whilst hitting the necessary milestones.

Every day a qualified teacher will teach your child in a short but more formal group time session. They will be supported and challenged to make a good start to their education.

What if my child is hungry or thirsty?

We provide the children with a free piece of fruit and milk/water every day.

Children are also encouraged to bring a named water bottle with them so that they can access a drink whenever they need it.

Learning can be very thirsty work!

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STARTING

Will my child have a Key Worker?

When your child starts at our Nursery, they will be allocated a key-worker.

This person will make sure that your child is happy and learning every day.

Your child will also work with all the other adults in the setting.

How will I know what my child is learning and what progress they are making?

We assess your child on an online learning journal called Tapestry.

When your child joins us you will have access to their account. You will see all of the wonderful things that your child is learning at school and what milestones they are meeting.

NURSERY

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How do I apply for a Reception place?

To apply for a place in our Reception classes, you must apply online through the local authority, even if your child attends our Nursery.

To apply for a Reception place, visit: https:// www.nelincs.gov.uk/children-families-and-schools/ schools-and-education/school-admissions/applyfor-a-school-place/

What uniform will my child need?

Royal blue sweatshirt (Greenswear on the Avenue) White polo shirt Black or grey trousers/skirt/ shorts/dress PE White t-shirt Black shorts/joggers Black trainers/plimsolls

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STARTING

When and where do I drop off and collect from for Reception?

Both Reception classes, are dropped off at the COOL room door and collected from Iris classroom door.

Drop off: between 8:40-8:55am Collect: 3:15pm

What else will my child need?

A spare set of named clothing.

Named wellington boots that can stay in school.

A named book bag.

A named water bottle.

Sunhat and sun-cream when appropriate.

RECEPTION

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How will my child learn in Reception?

Your child will learn through planned and purposeful play-based activities linked to the their interests and their identified next steps. They will have access to the indoor and outdoor continuous provision at set times throughout the day.

They will also take part in fun and practical, but more formal learning activities. Your child will have a phonics, maths and topic lesson every day.

During this exciting year, your child will learn to read, write and manipulate numbers within 10 to name a few!

How will I know what my child is learning and the progress they are making?

We assess your child on an online learning journal called TAPESTRY. When your child joins us you will have access to their account. You will see all of the wonderful things that your child is learning at school and the progress they are making.

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STARTING

What if my child is hungry or thirsty?

Children have a snack time every day. They are provided with a free piece of fruit and a cup of water.

Children are also encouraged to bring a named water bottle with them so that they can access a drink whenever they need it.

At lunchtime, children are provided with a free school meal and a cup of water. You must order the free meal online in advance. To book your child’s free school lunch, please visit: https://nel.mealselector.co.uk/ If you do not book a school meal in time or you do not want a school meal for your child, they will need to bring a healthy packed lunch to school every day.

RECEPTION

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Call us: Contact Details

01472 320781 E-mail us at: office@thrunscoe.academy Check our website: www.thrunscoeacademy.co.uk

If your child is going to be absent for any reason please call the office and let us know in the morning of the absence.

Absence

We cannot authorise any holidays during term time and we encourage parents to keep their children at school. Every day matters.

Free School Meals

All children, from the start of the Reception Year to the end of Year 2, are eligible for a free school meal every day under the Universal free school meal scheme.

Don’t miss out!

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GENERAL

Sadly, they get everywhere! If you do notice head lice in your child’s hair, please treat it with an appropriate treatment (free from the doctor) and let school know so that we can let our families know that we have a case in the class.

Medication

Head Lice

We are only able to give your child medicine that has been prescribed by a doctor. You will need to sign a consent form for each medicine and make sure that we always have enough in school.

Staff that administer the medicine will always record the time and the quantity given. It is crucial that you let us know of any medical needs before your child starts with us.

INFORMATION

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We provide a Breakfast Club where children can eat a healthy breakfast before the start of the academy day. This is very popular and must be booked in advance by contacting the school office.

Breakfast Entrance to the breakfast club is through the main entrance doors and the club is situated in the hall.

Club

Breakfast club starts at 7.40am daily and costs £2 per day.

All our staff in the Early Years have an up-to-date paediatric first aid training certificate. This means that we are able to deal with minor injuries at school. If we feel that your child needs more care than this we will always contact you. Bump notes are sent home so you are aware that your child has had an accident. In the event of a head injury, you will be informed via text message so that you can continue to monitor your child at home.

Accidents

After School Club

Whilst we do not provide an after school club on site, we do have a local club ‘Clee Kids Club’ that collects the children from Thrunscoe and takes them to St. Aidens Church where they are cared for.

To find out more about this, please contact them:

Phone: 07483166895 Email: cleeclub@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: Clee Kids Club CIC

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GENERAL

Health & Safety

Whilst your child is in our care we are responsible for his/her safety. Please help us to keep them safe and well by following our health and safety procedures.  Children must not wear jewellery whilst in the academy. If your child has pierced ears then small stud earrings are acceptable.  No earrings are to be worn for P.E. as they are a danger to the child.  Regular fire drills are carried out. We ask that should the fire alarms sound during an assembly or concert, please allow us to escort the children to safety and then follow on behind through the nearest accessible fire door. We are able to empty the academy safely within three minutes with your calm co-operation.  Our academy and grounds are designated no smoking / vaping areas and we do not allow dogs into the academy grounds.  The academy car park is for the use of staff only. Please do not enter the car park either in vehicles or on foot.

Parental concerns

 The Local Authority does not provide personal accident insurance for children in the academy. PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENTS IF THEY WISH.

Expressions of parental concern are not always to be regarded as complaints in the formal sense of the word. Many concerns can be answered informally by the class teachers, wellbeing mentors or Headteacher.

The formal complaints procedure should be used only when the complaint appears to be incapable of resolution within the academy.

If you feel a concern has not been addressed to your satisfaction by the personnel in the academy the next course of action is to write to the Chair of Governors, at the academy’s address.

Please refer to the complaints policy on our Academy website for more detail.

INFORMATION

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To get your child off to a great start:

Helping at home



Read to them every day.

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Let them see you reading, for pleasure and for a real purpose.

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When they bring home a reading book, listen to them read as often as you can.



Attend school workshops so that you can support your child in the same way as we do in school.

Reading is one of the most important skills that we can give to our children. Reading gives them access to an unlimited amount of information, the world really is their oyster!

We teach children to read using a fun and effective phonics programme called Monster Phonics. Using the colour coded system and the memorable Monsters, children quickly learn our very complex written language.

Helpful websites: www.phonicsplay.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ zf2yf4j www.topmarks.co.uk/phonics/ balloon-phonics-cvc-game www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/ game/list/phonics-games-phase-2 www.teachyourmonsterto read.com

Free Reading Games

www.monsterphonics.com www.teachyourmonstertoread.com www.teachyourmonstertoread.com

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EARLY READING

If you start teaching your children the letters in the alphabet, please, please, please teach them the sound that the letter makes, not the letter name. (Not the letter names as sang in the alphabet song!)

Watch this clip below for how to say each letter correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=mRoFpvC0yn0

ABC

Children become very interested in their name and often want to start writing it.

Name Writing

TOP TIPS

It is very important that they do not learn to write it in capital letters! For example the name Mary should be written as Mary, not MARY. The first letter is always a capital, the others are not, ever!

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ACADEMY RESULTS

Governing Body

Teaching Staff:

SEND Teaching Assistant:

Members:

Mrs E. Allen (AH)

Miss N. Whitfield (HLTA)

Mrs J. A. Goodwin

Mr J. Boyington

Mrs P. Taylor

Mr M. Hallam (AH)

Well-being Mentors:

Mr P. Henderson

Mrs K. Herd (SENDCO)

Mrs K. Allen

Mr R. Sperr

Ms K. Holness

Miss M. Whitehead

Mr A. Howard Governing Body

Miss J. Howden (DH)

Academy Business Manager:

Trustees:

Mrs R. Leggett

Mrs K. Paling

Mr S. P. Bate

Miss J. Marsh

Mrs S. C. Bate

Miss M. Pearson

Mr R. Beel - Vice Chair

Ms A. Reynolds (SENDCO)

Assistant Academy Business Manager:

Miss H. Blanchard

Miss M. Riley

Miss E. Curtiss

Mr A. Cox

Mrs A. Robinson

Ms E. Gresswell

Mrs F. Goodwin (parent) Mr J. Guy (parent)

Teaching Assistants:

Dr P. Hill

Mrs K. Allenby

Mr R. Sperr - Chair

Mrs C. Albery

Mrs C. Standley

Miss G. Ashurst (HLTA /EYP)

Mrs L. Downes

Mrs M. Brown

Mrs P. Taylor

Miss O. Norton Mrs S. Corry

Administrative Officer: Mrs S. Toohill Admin Assistant: Mrs A. Tillett Mrs E. Saxby Lunchtime Supervisors:

Senior Management

Mrs A. Cottingham

Mr S. Bate - Headteacher

Mrs L. Dickson (HLTA)

Miss J. Howden -

Ms K. Ollson

Catering Assistants:

Deputy Headteacher

Mrs L. Love (HLTA)

Mrs H. Wood

Mrs E. Allen -

Miss K. Ridall

Mrs M. Pask

Assistant Headteacher

Mrs J. Robertson (HLTA)

Mr M. Hallam—Assistant Headteacher

Mrs K. Stephenson

Caretaker:

Mrs S. Watson

Mr M. Hedison

Mrs K. Paling - Academy Business Manager

Mrs M. Scrivener Mrs R. Gilby

Senior Leadership Mr S. P. Bate Miss J. Howden Mrs E. Allen

Made up of our own TAs

Cleaners: Mrs A. Bryan Miss C. Casey Mrs T. Gaffoor Mrs M. Pask Mrs M. Rudland

Mrs K. Herd Mr M. Hallam

Mrs D. Winters

Ms K. Holness

STAFF & GOVERNORS

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TERM DATES 2023-2024

Autumn Term 2023 Wednesday 6th September - School opens Friday 20th October - School closes Autumn Half Term Holidays Monday 6th November - School opens Friday 22nd December - School closes Christmas Holidays Spring Term 2024 Wednesday 3rd January - School opens Friday 9th February - School closes Spring Half Term Holidays Monday 19th February - School opens Thursday 28th March - School closes Easter Holidays Summer Term 2024 Tuesday 9th April - School opens Monday 6th May - BANK HOLIDAY Friday 24th May - School closes Summer Half Term Holidays Monday 10th June - School opens Tuesday 23rd July - School closes Summer Holidays

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TERM DATES