What to expect when you are starting at our school

You can read our admission arrangements on our policies page.

We invite your child to 2 play sessions so we can start to get to know you and your child. At these sessions it is really important to leave your child to play. Each time you leave your child they will learn that you come back. This is an important part of the settling process.

We have different areas in our Nursery School:

• Greenhouse, including Buttercups room
• Rainbow

Virtual Tour

Home visit

Your child’s key person will visit you and your child at home before your child starts at nursery. They will use this opportunity to get to know you and your child so they can meet their needs best. Children are very different at home than in other settings. It is really useful to see them where they feel comfortable. It is also very comforting for your child to meet their teacher somewhere where they feel safe. Don’t worry, we are looking at your child, not your home.

Settling in

Some children may take a little while to settle into Nursery. This can be entirely normal. We aim to make it as pleasant as we can. Your child’s teacher will talk to you about any concerns and staff are always available to help. It is important to remember that your child picks up on clues from you. Being as relaxed as you can be about them coming to Nursery School will help them to feel happy and relaxed too. We know it is best to leave your child and walk away so they can get used to their routine as quickly as possible. It may seem unkind but we find it is the best way. All our children settle in time.

What to wear

Our children wear a uniform. This is a purple jumper or cardigan with a t-shirt or polo, leggings or joggers. As we encourage the children to be as independent as possible, we ask that they do not wear shoes with laces or tricky buckles. We believe that wearing a uniform helps our children to know which days are school days. It is also good for the children to wear something cheap enough that you do not mind it getting damaged or messy. Learning is a messy business. This includes their coat as we spend a lot of time learning outdoors. Please do not spend a lot on your child’s uniform. Supermarket jumpers and leggings/joggers are perfect. We have lots of nearly new uniform we can provide you. Please ask if you would like any uniform, we know times are hard. We sell purple jumpers and cardigans at the school office for the price we buy them from Sainsbury’s or Asda. As we are outside in all weathers, you are welcome to send their own waterproofs and wellies.

Please label everything you send. We end up with a lot of Supermarket jumpers size 3 to 4.

• Morning session – 9:00am to 12:00m
• Afternoon session – 12:30pm to 3:30pm
• Full time session – 9:00am to 3:30pm

You can top up sessions if there is space.

• Lunch club – 12:00pm to 12:30pm
• Breakfast club starts at 8:00am
• After school club runs until 4.30pm

Children who come to school on time and every day do better than children who do not

How well do we do transition into our school?

We are always striving to do the best for our children and families so after the children had settled we asked our parents if they were satisfied with the process. All parents said they were and said they were particularly happy with some aspects: