1. The First Day
Attending nursery is an exciting adventure for your child. We encourage parents to be positive about this forthcoming experience so that your child arrives looking forward to the first day.
At your familiarisation session you will have seen how our staff work hard to settle your child in. However a child can still show signs of ‘missing you’ when you first leave. After all you are the most important person in his/her life!
2. Food and Drink
We are firm believers in parental choice. Food provided by parents is served to the children as requested. Although this is harder work for all concerned we do consider this as important. In this way dietary requirements and preferences are met rather than having a standard mass produced 'nursery meal'. The children are served food that they enjoy eating and mealtimes are pleasurable occasions.
All food brought to the nursery is stored safely. Fresh drinking water is available to the children at all times, in their own personal bottle.
3. Special Needs
Staff are trained for specific special needs as necessary, (e.g. Makaton, Epi-pen, Portage). Access is at street level. Children are cared for in a group which best caters for their needs not their chronological age. We have regard for the D.F.E. Code of practice in the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. The Special Needs Co-ordinator will work out, with parents, an individual programme for children with special needs. Outside agencies will be called upon for help and assistance whenever they are required. You are kept thoroughly informed.
4. Confidentiality
You and your children are protected by the Data protection Act. We will not give any information, not even your ‘phone number to anyone outside the nursery. In cases where we are concerned about children we may refer to doctors, Health visitors or the Social services department, but we would always tell you first.
5. Admissions
Applications are invited from any child whose parents are willing to accept the terms of agreement as set out in this handbook. Children are accepted as soon as a place, suitable to their needs, becomes available. Their needs are individual and usually stated by the parents or guardians. First refusal for sessions and days is given to children already attending the nursery, then to siblings of current attenders then to those who have been on the waiting list for longest.
6. Choosing a 'Big' School
A long way off! It is however important to be prepared, Visit as many schools as you can. Ask everyone that you know who has school age children, what their views are on their schools.
Take your child to visit the school. Watch your child's reactions. Is the atmosphere one in which you are sure that your child will be happy? Is it welcoming, interesting, busy, happy and controlled? Were you shown around the classrooms? Was your child welcome on the visit? Is it far from home? Are you prepared to have to travel by car every day? Will your child's friends live far away?
Find out how the school works. Ask about the approach to reading, number work, computers, art, music, sport, science and extra help for children with learning difficulties. Find out about their policies on behaviour, competitiveness, and parental involvement.
If you chose in independent school find out about the qualifications of the early years staff and the adult/child ratios.
Once you have decided on a school, be prepared to commit yourself wholeheartedly. Your enthusiasm, or lack of it, will profoundly affect your child's attitude to school.
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