Our Nursery
Our nursery aims to offer children opportunities which will enable them to reach their full potential through a challenging play-based curriculum where every child can develop at their own pace supported by experienced, skilled and well qualified early years practitioners.
The nursery offers places for children aged 2, 3 and 4 years (until statutory school age), we are open in line with the school term opening times and offer sessions between 8.40am and 3.15pm. Children in receipt of 15 hours free childcare will be given the option of doing either the first half of the week (All day Monday, all day Tuesday and Wednesday morning) or the last half of the week (Wednesday afternoon, all day Thursday and all day Friday) and those entitled to 30 hours will do full days apart from Wednesday when they finish at 1pm unless you would like to pay to top up the session. Full details of session times and fees can be found in the terms and conditions below.
Funding
2 year olds may be able to access 15 hours free childcare (please contact us for details of eligibility).
3 year olds will be able to access 15 hours free child care and may be entitled to 30 hours (please contact us for details of eligibility).
Our Staff
- Daniela Holt – Nursery Leader
- Karen Moriarty – Nursery Worker
The Nursery
We have 2 large rooms in the indoor space that children are able to access ensuring that all children are able to access a calm space with room to extend their play.
We also have a large garden where children are able to develop their skills e.g. running, jumping, climbing steps as well as develop a love of the outdoors e.g. exploring, problem solving, working as a team.
If you would like more information or would like to arrange a visit please call the school office or email: info@hardwickschool.org
At Hardwick Nursery, we aim:
- To provide the best quality care and ensure that our children attain the highest academic achievement
- To create a happy, caring, secure and well-ordered environment which enables children to work towards achieving their potential, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically
- To provide a physical environment which is stimulating and aesthetically pleasing, and which encourages curiosity and creativity
- To provide a stimulating broad and balanced curriculum which caters for all children which encourages them to develop confidence and independence
- To develop in children lively and enquiring minds and the ability to reflect, and to question and to argue rationally
- To promote an ethos which develops tolerance and mutual respect and encourages courtesy and consideration for others
- To foster an atmosphere which encourages behaviour based on shared values, positive example and consistency
- To affirm and celebrate achievements and to help develop self-esteem and self-discipline
- To provide equal opportunities for all children irrespective of gender, race, class, or ability
- To help children to understand the society in which they live and celebrate its diversity
- To work with parents, enabling them to play an active part in their child’s education and the life of the school
- To enhance the partnership with and between parents, staff and the wider community.
Our Vision Statement
We believe every child should be offered the opportunity to reach their full potential. For this to happen, we provide a welcoming environment which is stimulating, challenging and FUN! We adhere to the OFSTED standards always, ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in our care. We encourage children to develop a “can do” attitude that will stay with them for life. We encourage children to be independent and self-disciplined, to develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and respect for others and the environment. We value and incorporate all aspects of children’s lives including developing strong partnerships with parents/carers.
A Partnership between Home and Nursery
Central to our school philosophy is that we will only achieve the best we can when children, parents and staff work together as a team. We hope that parents feel part of the nursery community and will get as involved as much as possible.
The Responsibilities of the Nursery
- To teach effectively, and set the highest standards in work and behaviour
- To provide access for all pupils to the full Foundation Stage Curriculum
- To provide opportunities for children to develop their individual strengths and that enable them to achieve his / her full potential
- To keep parents informed about general nursery matters and their child’s progress
- Provide a welcoming, secure, and happy environment where value is given to individual worth, self-esteem, and mutual support
- To help children to contribute to the community and the environment
The Responsibilities of Parents
- To encourage children to develop positive attitudes towards nursery, learning, other people, and themselves
- To make sure that children come to nursery regularly, on time, refreshed alert and ready to engage
- To support children’s learning by taking an interest in the activities that they have been doing.
- To communicate with the nursery on matters which might affect a child’s behaviour or attitude
- To attend meetings with the staff, and work with the nursery wherever possible
Admissions
Parents who are considering sending their child to our nursery are encouraged to telephone to arrange a convenient time to make a preliminary visit. Our age range includes pupils who are 2, 3 and 4 years of age. Currently all pupils who are 3 and 4 years of age receive 15 hours and some may be eligible for 30 hours if both parents are working. For more information on admissions and funding please refer to our nursery terms and conditions below.
We have 3 admission points a year – September, January, and Easter. Places are limited so parents are encouraged to apply in the term before their child’s second or third birthday.
Starting in Nursery
Our aim is to make children feel secure and happy in nursery. Settling your child into a new setting can take time, especially if it is the first time your child has been left without a familiar adult. Take the time you both need, the staff are here to support you.
When your child starts in nursery they will be allocated a Key Person. They will visit you and your child at home prior to them starting with us. This will enable your child to get to know the staff in a familiar setting. We also advise you to make a couple of short visits to the nursery prior to your start date.
What Will Your Child Do in Nursery?
The curriculum is the sum of all the experiences provided for your child at nursery. It includes not only the formal programme, but also the informal programme of activities. At nursery, we are committed to a curriculum which is exciting and engages the enthusiasm and natural curiosity of every child.
We look to use a variety of experiences and approaches to meet the needs and preferences of different styles of learning and to provide opportunities for children to take increasing responsibility for their own learning as they move through the school.
Throughout nursery, children are taught using a variety of organisational strategies and teaching techniques, depending on the type and purpose of the activity. Sometimes the staff will draw the children together in a large group. Sometimes they use individual teaching, perhaps to support a child with a difficulty or to challenge their thinking further. For much of the day, children are following their own activities. Every child whatever his or her ability is given the same opportunities.
For the youngest children, much of their learning takes places through structured play activities enabling them to learn from first hand experiences which help them to make sense of the world around them. The children may take part in the Forest Schools Project which is based on a Scandinavian principle of learning in the outdoor environment
The curriculum for Nursery is divided into the prime areas and specific areas of learning, the prime areas are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) – self-confidence and awareness; managing feelings and behaviour; making relationships.
- Communication, Language, and Language – focussing on listening and attention, understanding and speaking.
- Physical Development – moving and handling, health, and self-care.
The specific areas of learning are:
- Literacy – reading and writing
- Mathematical Development - learning about numbers and counting; shapes, space, and measures.
- Understanding of the World – people and communities, the world and technology.
- Expressive arts and design – exploring media and materials and being imaginative
Record Keeping and Assessment
Assessment is collecting information about individual experience and achievement which shows what a child knows, understands, and can do. Assessment may be by continuous assessment or through more formal tasks.
The purpose is to help the child to learn, help the staff prepare appropriate work, and to give information to parents and other staff members. Throughout the year children are regularly set learning targets by their Key Worker. As these are achieved new targets are set. Parents are informed of children’s targets through our online learning journal.
We document learning journeys through an online program called Tapestry which parents can access to see how their child is developing. These learning journeys follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum and track the child’s progress. We invite parents/carers to contribute to them and to share WOW! moments celebrating a child’s successes. For further information on learning journeys please speak to a member of the staff team.
Any information regarding your child is kept/stored in a locked cabinet and are accessible by setting staff only. If you wish to view records kept regarding your child, you may arrange to do so via your child’s key worker or the setting manager. We will ask your permission to share details of your child’s progress with their next setting. We are obliged to share information with partner agencies if there are safeguarding concerns. (See Safeguarding policies).
We adhere to our strict confidentiality policy always. All information shared with us regarding your child and family will remain confidential, however, if at any time we are concerned about the well-being of anyone, particularly a child we are required to share these concerns with the relevant agencies. Where appropriate, we will inform you of this decision.
SEN and Pupils with Additional Needs
The Nursery welcomes pupils who have additional needs. The SENCO will support you and your child to access specialist provision should it be required.
Many children, at some time or other during their schooling, may have special needs that cannot be met within the normal curriculum at nursery. Some may have specific physical difficulties like deafness or sight problems. Other children may experience difficulties in reading, writing, or behaving appropriately and may need support. Staff are very sensitive to these situations, and during their work keep a careful watch on all the children in the setting. Sometimes there is a need to place children on the Special Needs register, so they can access additional support. Often children make good progress having received additional help, and they may be removed from the register.
Supporting Children with English as an Additional Language
Children whose first language is not English are given support to ensure that they can participate fully in the curriculum. This is provided in a variety of ways according to the needs of the children.
