Minsterley Community Nursery, Shropshire. Serving the villages of Minsterley, Snailbeach, Stiperstones, Shelve, Hope, Pontesbury, Hanwood and more..
Prospectus
How will your child benefit from their time at Minsterley Community Nursery?
Contents of this Prospectus:
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Curriculum Intro
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Key areas of Learning and Development
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Working Together for your Children
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How Carers and Parents participate
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Admissions Advice and Policy
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Opening Times
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Your Child's First Days here
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Clothing
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Food / Snacks / Lunches / Healthy Eating
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Nursery Sessions
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Fees
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Funding and Eligibility
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Policies
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Complaints Procedure
Curriculum - Introduction to prospectus
Children start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born, babies explore with their mouths and children should be given the time and opportunity to find out for themselves about the world. Even falling over is a lesson learned. Our Nursery helps children to continue this exploration by providing a wide range of activities, both indoor and outdoor that are suited to their age and stage of development.
In September 2008 the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework was introduced for every child from birth until the end of the academic year after their 5th birthday. In September 2012 the new revised EYFS was put into practice for everybody involved in Early Years.
“The EYFS sets standards to enable early years providers to reflect the rich and personalised experience that many parents give their children at home”.
“Providers should deliver individualised learning, development and care and give those children the best possible start in life. Every child should be supported individually to make progress at their own pace and children who need extra support to fulfil their potential should receive special consideration”.
“Practitioners should focus on each child’s individual learning”
“Stretching and challenging all children”.
(Quotes taken from The Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework 2008)
Key areas of Learning and Development.
“There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.” (EYFS 2012)
These three areas, the prime areas are:
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Communication and Language.
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Physical Development.
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
We must also support children in four specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:
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Literacy.
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Mathematics.
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Understanding the World.
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Expressive arts and Design.
Our Nursery aims to help your child progress, at their own pace, in these areas throughout their time here. If you would like to know more about the way we operate, please ask any member of staff who will arrange a meeting at a convenient time for everyone.
Working together for your children
Minsterley Nursery has a high ratio of adults to children in the setting. This helps us to:
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Give time and attention to each child;
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Talk with the children about their interests and activities;
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Help children to experience and benefit from the activities we provide;
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Allow the children to explore and be adventurous in a safe environment.
You can see a full list of our nursery staff and committee members here.
How parents and carers take part in Nursery
As a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, Minsterley Nursery recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their children. All of the staff see themselves as co-workers with you in providing care and education for your child. There are many ways in which parents/carers take part in making the nursery a welcoming and stimulating place for children and adults, such as:
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Exchanging knowledge about their children's needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff;
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Helping at sessions in the nursery;
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Sharing their own special interests with the children;
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Helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the children's play activities;
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Being part of the management committee of the nursery;
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Taking part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided by the nursery;
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Joining in community activities in which the nursery takes part;
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Building friendships with other parents in the nursery.
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Providing help and support on outings.
As a parent / Carer, you are automatically part of the committee. If you choose to attend the committee meetings once a term you can contribute ideas to improve the way the Nursery is run.
The core committee (Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) is made up of parents and other interested parties, who volunteer their services and who are elected at the Annual General Meeting. The committee are responsible for the overall running of the group, payment of bills, staff wages etc and arranging fundraising events. They are also responsible for adopting Pre-School Learning Alliance Constitution and various policies recommended by them.
ADMISSIONS
We recommend that all parents/carers and their children visit Nursery before enrolling. Simple enrolment and consent forms must be completed for each child prior to admission.
NB: Admission to the Nursery does not guarantee a place at Minsterley Primary School.
OPENING TIMES
The Nursery is open during term time only. Dates of holidays are published on a list available from Nursery. We offer morning, afternoon and full day sessions as follows:
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Morning session 08:45 am - 11:45 am
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Afternoon session 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
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Full day 08:45 am - 3:00 pm
Starting at Minsterley Nursery
The First Days:
We want your child to feel happy and safe at the nursery. To make sure that this is the case, the staff will work with you to decide on how to help your child to settle in. The nursery staff are used to some children being a little distressed when first left and are trained to give plenty of attention and to provide interesting distractions. We encourage parents to ring the nursery for reassurance, and we will always contact you if we feel your child is not settled.
Clothing:
It is better if children wear appropriate clothing for nursery activities, so that a few spots of glue or paint won't really matter. Aprons are provided and children are encouraged, but not forced, to wear them.
The nursery encourages children to gain the skills, which help them to be independent and look after themselves. These include taking themselves to the toilet and taking off - and putting on - outdoor clothes. Clothing which is easy for them to manage will help them to do this. Belts on trousers, tight jeans, dungarees and buttoned cuffs can all be difficult for a child to do on their own. Please send your child in suitable and secure footwear (no high heels).
Minsterley Nursery hopes that you and your child enjoy being members of the nursery and that you both find taking part in our activities interesting and stimulating. The staff are always ready and willing to talk with you about your ideas, views or questions. Please speak to Emma or Julie and if necessary we can make an appointment for a longer meeting.
We request that you label your child's clothing with their name. During the warmer weather we request that your child wears clothing to cover their shoulders and that they bring sunhats and sun cream, clearly labelled with their name. Please apply sun cream to your child before the session and we will help them to apply a top up if necessary. Nursery t-shirts and sweatshirts are available to buy, please ask in the office for details.
If your child is in nappies or pull-ups, please provide spare nappies, baby wipes and a change of clothes in a named bag (not a carrier bag). If your child is potty training you may need to put in several changes of clothes.
Snacks:
Midway through each session the children will be offered a choice of milk, water or juice to drink and also a variety of snacks: cereals, crackers & cheese, fresh bread and butter, yogurts, chopped fruit, toast etc. We ask that sweets and other such items are not brought into Nursery.
The nursery makes snacks and meals a social time at which children and adults eat together. Tell us about your child's dietary needs and we will make sure that we meet these as much as we can.
Lunches:
Children who stay for lunch may bring a packed lunch with them or take advantage of a well balanced cooked meal provided by the primary school (consumed at Nursery). School meals must be ordered and paid for each morning. We would ask that children be only provided with food to bring to Nursery if they are going to eat it at lunchtime.
Healthy Eating:
5 a day for kids
Get children started on the 5 a day habit early. Bite size pieces of fruit and vegetables are perfect for small hands. Liven up their lunch box with bright coloured vegetables such as carrot sticks, slices of cucumber or treat your child to bite size fruit such as strawberries, halved grapes or raisins.
Ideas about healthy eating for children are on display in the office.
The Nursery Sessions:
The nursery organises its sessions so that children can choose from - and work at - a range of activities and, in doing so, build up their ability to select and work through a task to its completion. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult-led small and large group activities, which introduce them to new experiences and help them to gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others.
Outdoor activities contribute to children's health, their physical development and their knowledge of the world around them. The children have the opportunity - and are encouraged to take part in outdoor child-chosen and adult-led activities, as well as those provided in the indoor playroom/s. We take advantage of our outdoor area whatever the weather. Sometimes this involves getting wet, muddy or dusty. We have a large supply of wellies and all-in-one oversuits for children to wear.
You can if you wish, leave an old coat and wellies or trainers at Nursery and we will encourage your child to put them on when we go outside. Some parents leave a complete change of clothes in a named bag, just in case. If you do this we will send these items home every ½ term.
Nursery Fees
Our fees are reviewed annually from September, they are currently as follows:
Morning session: £9.75 (8:45 till 11:45)
Afternoon session: £8.12 (12:30 till 15:00)
Full day: £20.31 (8:45 till 15:00)
Lunch cover: £2.43 (11:45 till 12:30)
NB: Please contact us to confirm current fees. Fees are correct as of December 2014.
There are two methods of payment available, termly in advance or weekly.
These are indicated on the payment contract attached to the enrolment form. Should any difficulty in the payment of fees arise, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will discuss the situation and do all we can to help in the strictest of confidence.
Funding:
Eligibility for funding
Child born between - 1st January and 31st March
Child eligible for grant - Summer term after 3rd birthday
Child born between - 1st April and 31st August
Child eligible for grant - Autumn term after their 3rd birthday
Child born between - 1st September and 31st December
Child eligible for grant - Spring term after 3rd birthday
From the start of the term after your child’s 3rd birthday you are entitled up to 15 hours of free funding for your child whilst at a Nursery, Pre-School or some Child Minders.
You can use none, some or all of your hours and can divide the hours claimed between 2 settings if desired.
If you choose to use all 15 hours with us we can give you 3 options:-
Your child can attend for 2 full days plus one afternoon and this will be totally free.
Your child can attend 3 full days and we will charge you £11.43 per week
You can add extra sessions on top of the 3 full days and pay for these sessions yourself. We charge £3.05 per hour for extra hours.
If you choose to use some or all of your Nursery Education Funding you will be asked to sign a Parental Request form each term confirming the hours you have chosen.
To enable us to join this funding scheme we have to follow strict guidelines and are inspected by OFSTED to ensure a high quality of provision is maintained. If you need further information please speak to the manager or the chair of the committee.
Your child will be offered a full time place at school in the September following their 4th birthday. You may delay their starting date if you think they will not be ready for full time school and will still be entitled to some free funding at Nursery. All the details will be in a pack that school will deliver to you. Both Nursery and School will be happy to discuss your options with you.
Policies and Procedures are the rules and regulations that we follow.
Copies of the Nursery’s policies are available in the office. A copy on memory stick, on paper or by email is available upon request from the secetary.
Minsterley Nursery’s policies help us to make sure that the service provided by the nursery is of a high standard. Relevant comments, questions and criticism are always welcome.
We continually review and update policies to ensure that we keep up to date with changes in legislation.
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Key Person System
Minsterley Nursery operates a key person system whereby each child is allocated a named person who will carry out simple observations to check that progress is being made in all areas of learning and development. These observations are very low key and the child may not even realise they are being watched but they do provide an opportunity to recognise and redress any possible problems from an early age.
Under the New EYFS introduced in September 2012 we are obliged to supply parents / carers with a short written summary of a child’s development in the three prime areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language when the child is between 24 and 36 months old. It is important that you inform Nursery staff of any changes in your child’s circumstances as this may have an impact on your child’s progress at Nursery. All information given will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Nursery welcomes parental involvement and key persons are available (by appointment if necessary) to discuss your child's progress and any developments that yourselves or we feel important. Please try to keep us informed of any changes at home which may have an impact on your child’s behaviour or emotions, this information will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Your child’s key person is shown on the parents’ notice board.
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Records of achievement
The pre-school keeps a record of achievement for each child called a “Learning Journey”.
Your child's key person will work with you to keep this record. To do this in partnership with parents/carers we will collect information about your child's needs, activities, interests and achievements in a file. You will be given your child’s learning journey when they leave Nursery.
Parents and carers are welcome to come in and see their child’s learning journey at any time and / or discuss their progress with the key person, although an appointment may be needed for an in-depth discussion.
A list of staff and their key children is on display in the downstairs classroom.
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Safety
We are registered with OFSTED to accommodate 28 children per session. The Fire Officer has also inspected the premises. We are fully insured and the certificate is displayed in Nursery.
There is a qualified first aider in the Nursery at all times. Accidents are recorded in our accident book and when this happens, parents and carers are informed and asked to sign the book. For safety reasons children will not be allowed to leave the premises with any person other than their parent/guardian or persons named on the enrolment form unless we have been previously notified either in person or by a telephone call from the parent.
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Behaviour Management
The Nursery recognises the need for rules within the group and the necessity for procedures to manage difficult behaviour. Where difficult behaviour is persistent or serious, a record may be made in the Incident book and discussed as soon as possible with the child's parent or carer. We would then look towards designing a strategy for dealing with the unwanted behaviour and working together with the family.
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Special Needs
Every child is made welcome at Minsterley Nursery whatever their ability, and every effort will be made to accommodate any child with special needs.
We operate a key person system, and should the key person note a "cause for concern", the parent or carer will be informed. After discussion with, and permission from them, further help or guidance may be sought e.g. from our special needs mentor. As with all children their development will be reviewed with parents or carers.
As part of the nursery’s policy to make sure that its provision meets the needs of each individual child, we take account of any special needs, which a child may have. The pre-school works to the requirements of the 1993 Education Act and The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice (2000). The pre-school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators are Emma Coyle and Julie Beamond.
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Comfort and Security
As toys from home often lead to arguments, we prefer children not to bring them, but understand and welcome any special security items which are needed to give comfort and may help them feel secure and settled.
It is important to collect your child on time, as being collected late can lead to children becoming distressed. Please wait outside the door and we will bring your child out to you. This method lessens the possibility of the door being accidentally left open for safety reasons.
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Health
Any child suffering from a rash, sore throat, high temperature, discharge from or redness to the eyes should be kept at home until a doctor has certified that the symptoms are not contagious. In the event of sickness or diarrhoea your child should not attend Nursery until 48 hours have passed since the last bout. Should your child become sick at Nursery every effort will be made to contact a parent, friend or relative as indicated on their enrolment form.
If your child does not attend Nursery through illness or holiday, normal charges (including top up fees and lunch cover) will still apply.
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Head Lice
We do have outbreaks of head lice sometimes. Please check your child on a regular basis. If we see live head lice on your child, we will inform you privately and then follow our head lice policy and procedure.
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Your right to comment
We are always looking for ways to improve our Nursery; therefore we welcome comments, compliments, constructive criticism and valid complaints. Please see Emma Coyle to pass these thoughts on. Emma will also be able to pass on contact details of certain committee members who may be able to help further. These matters will be confidentially handled.
More information about Early Years can be found at:
http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/
COMPLAINTS
IF THERE ARE ANY ASPECTS OF THE NURSERY THAT YOU FEEL YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH, PLEASE TALK OR WRITE TO EMMA COYLE OR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NURSERY COMMITTEE, AS INDICATED ON PARENT'S NOTICE BOARD. YOUR SUGGESTION OR COMPLAINT WILL BE DEALT WITH IN CONFIDENCE. IF THE MATTER IS NOT RESOLVED YOU MAY COMPLAIN, IN WRITING TO:
OFSTED,
EARLY YEARS,
PICADILLY GATE,
STORE ST,
MANCHESTER,
M12 2WD.