Q. Does my child automatically get a place in Reception if they attend the Nursery?
A. No. Please apply for a Reception place through Wandsworth Borough Click Admissions for more information. Places are allocated on a range of factors.
Q. What is EYFS?
A. EYFS is how the Government, and early years’ professionals, describe the time in your child’s life between birth and age 5. This is a very important stage in your child’s development as it helps your child get ready for school as well as preparing them for their future learning and successes. From when your child is born, up until the age of 5, the child’s early years’ experience should be happy, active, exciting, fun and secure; and support his/her development, care and learning needs.
Q. How will my child be learning?
A. The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.
Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:
• Communication and language;
• Physical development; and
• Personal, social and emotional development.
These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.
As children grow, there are a further four prime areas of learning, these will help them to develop skills in
4 specific areas. These are:
• Literacy;
• Mathematics;
• Understanding the world; and
• Expressive arts and design.
Q. How do you as a school support children’s learning and development?
A. We believe that learning though play is paramount to engaging children in their learning. The environment is rich in open ended activities for the children to access through their Child Initiated Learning with support from well-trained members of staff. There are also additional Adult Led learning opportunities where children will engage with an adult as a small group or whole class to hear stories, sing songs, play games as a group and to experience new skills in a fun and fulfilling way. Class teachers have worked closely with subject leaders across the school to develop a diverse and exciting curriculum. We also take into account the children’s interests and passions when designing the environment to make children feel comfortable and welcome.
Q. Where will I go for help and information?
A. Our staff will always be happy to discuss your child’s learning programme with you. Timetables and information letters are sent home regularly to keep you informed about the topics and your child’s work. Evidence is kept in each child’s personal portfolio, and they also have books and folders that you will be able to look at regularly.
We offer a meet the Teacher information evening for parents and workshops about our phonics and mathematics programmes that we follow in school. This enables parents to support their children at home.
The Department for Education website contains further information about Early Years education and how you can support this at home click here
Lunch:
Q. My child has dietary requirements, how is this monitored?
A. We ensure children are known to kitchen and lunch staff. You will need to inform the school office.
Q. How will I know if my child has eaten enough?
A. Children are encouraged to eat all of their lunch. They are given a sticker if they have eaten all of their food. Lunch staff also let the class teacher know who has not eaten enough so we can then pass that on to the parent.
Q. What happens if my child gets hungry in the morning?
A. We provide bagels in the morning for all children. We also provide a healthy fruit snack during the school day. A child can have snack throughout the day and choose themselves when they would like it.
Toilet:
Q. Does my child need to be toilet trained by the time they start Nursery?
A. We encourage that children are becoming more independent with using a toilet prior to starting in Nursery however we are more than happy to support children if help is required in using a toilet. We have child friendly toilets, step stools, smaller toilet seats to support with toileting needs. We will work in partnership with the family to ensure your child is comfortable with their toileting experiences.
Q. My child struggles with toileting and can often need reminders. How is this managed?
A. If a child regularly has accidents, we ask that you send in spare clothes. For the odd accident we can provide clothes as long as they are returned. We remind children often to use the toilet.
Q. When can my child use the toilet?
A. Children simply need to ask an adult and then they are able to go. Children are reminded at times throughout the day to use the toilet.
What to bring:
Q. Can my child bring their own toys?
A. We do not recommend children to bring in toys from home.
Q. What does my child need to bring with them when they come to school?
A. Children will need to bring a named bottle of water, named coat if needed and their named book bag.
Q. Do they need a PE kit?
A. Children will need a PE kit from Reception to Year 6 and we will let you know when this is needed in school.
For uniform and PE enquiries please click Reception starters
Drop off and Collection:
Q. My child is being collected by someone else, what do I do?
A. Simply let the teacher or administration know. If the person collecting changes during the day please call the office as we will not let them go if we do not recognise the adult or name.