Fakenham Nursery Brochure 2020/2021 - Fakenham Infant and Nursery School

Fakenham Nursery
             Brochure
                      2020/2021

             Fakenham Infant & Nursery School
                        Norwich Road
                         Fakenham
                          Norfolk
                         NR21 8HN
                  Telephone 01328 864511
            E-mail office@fakenhaminfant.org.uk
          Website: www.fakenhaminfant.org.uk
School Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fakenhaminfantschool

Dear Parents/Carers

On behalf of Fakenham Infant & Nursery School we would like to welcome you and
your child/children to our School Nursery. Your child will be in Rainbow Class or
Sunshine Room.

This brochure is designed to help parents and carers find out more about our
Early Years Foundation Stage.

Fakenham Infant & Nursery School has pupil’s wellbeing and personal development
at its heart. Every child is entitled to the highest standard of education set
within a range of learning opportunities which take into account your child’s
interests and abilities.

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of experiences; preparing
your child for life’s challenges and equipping them with the skills and confidence
necessary for the future. We aim to establish a happy, safe, secure and exciting
environment promoting equality and high expectations. Where every child’s
potential is realised and learning is supported and celebrated.

We hope this will be the beginning of a happy partnership between you, your child
and ourselves and we look forward to working together.

The Nursery Team
Amy, Julie, Yvonne, Dawn, Alison, Megan and Jo

                            “Me in Rainbow Class”

Meet the team

                    Mrs Amy Ensom – Nursery Teacher

                             Mrs Julie Boggis – Nursery Assistant

                     Mrs Jo Woodhouse – Nursery Assistant

                            Miss Megan Boulter – Nursery Assistant

                    Miss Yvonne Wright– Nursery Assistant

                            Miss Alison Rogers – Nursery Assistant

                    Mrs Dawn Howlett – Nursery Assistant

You may also meet the Head Teacher Mrs Sarah Gallichan, the Early Years Leader
Mrs Gayle Stagg, school secretaries Mrs Debbie Watts and Mrs Kim Betts, as well as
the students who come to work with us in the Nursery.

Home visits & Induction

Before your child starts at the Nursery, we offer you and your child a home visit,
this is when the Nursery Teacher or Room Leader and Nursery Assistant will visit
you at home. This is a valuable opportunity for you and your child to meet us within
your own surroundings, you will have the opportunity to ask us any questions or share
any worries you may have about your child starting Nursery. The children really
enjoy us coming to their home and often talk about our visit long after starting the
Nursery. It enables us to talk over all the information you will receive, to share with
your child photographs of the Nursery, to talk to them about their interests and
what they are looking forward to doing when they come to the Nursery. This is also
the opportunity to discuss the arrangements for your child starting Nursery.

Unfortunately, at this time, it is not safe for staff to carry out home visits,
however, what we will offer is a half an hour session for you and your child to come
to the setting to meet the staff, ask questions and explore what we have to offer,
prior to them starting.

Starting Nursery

All children are different and will settle into the Nursery at different times. This
depends on lots of things and for some children it may take a long time. Please do
not worry if it takes your child a while to settle or if they are fine at first and then
after a couple of weeks, they seem unsettled. To help your child settle happily into
the Nursery it is a good idea to talk to them before they visit about coming to
Nursery, what they would like to play with, what other children they may know and
the fun they are going to have. Walk past the school and point out to your child that
is where they will be going, so that they can become familiar with the building. It is
important that you appear happy about them starting Nursery, if you are confident,
they will be too.

Try to be punctual at home time. An adult must always collect the children and
if it is someone different from usual please let us know.
Rainbow Class Sessions

All children are entitled to 15 funded hours; some children will be entitled to 30
funded hours. We are able to be flexible with our Nursery sessions. This will allow
your child to use their funded hours plus we are able to offer additional sessions
that will need to be paid for. We will only charge parents for care provided outside
of the statutory 15/30 hour provision.

There are many different ways you could use this flexibility. There will be 3
sessions available to you each day and you can use any combination of these
(mornings, afternoons, or both), paying for any extra sessions you use over and above
the 5 funded 3 hour sessions.

Session 1   Morning      8.30am – 11.30am
Session 2   Lunch        11.30am – 12.00pm charged at £1.50 must bring own lunch
Session 3   Afternoon    12.00pm – 3.00pm

We are not able to split sessions and require a half terms notice of any change. Any
additional sessions will be charged at £12.50 for the 3 hours.

Obviously if you do not require any additional sessions and just want to use your
funded hours that is acceptable too.

Sunshine Room Sessions
Session 1   Morning      8.30am – 11.30am
Session 2   Lunch        11.30am – 12.00pm charged at £1.50 must bring own lunch
Session 3   Afternoon    12.00pm – 3.00pm

Sessions are charged at £14.00 per session. Some children may be eligible for 2
year old government funding.

Please read our charging policy for further information.

How you can help

Please make sure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name. It is a good
idea to have a change of clothes left at Nursery – accidents do happen! These can be
kept in a bag hanging on their pegs. Bring a coat as we try to play outside most days.
Nursery can be a messy place so no best clothes please!

There is a school sweatshirt or cardigan that the children are welcome to wear –
these can be purchased online or from the school office. Please encourage your child
to do things for themselves – like taking off their own coats and hanging them on
their pegs, though it may take longer. We also insist that jewellery is not worn, as it
can be caught in clothing and apparatus and can be easily lost.

We like to offer the children the choice between indoor/outdoor play for a large
portion of the Nursery session. This does mean we encourage the children to play
outside whatever the weather, therefore they will need wellies, a waterproof coat if
it is rainy and hats and gloves when cold. On sunny days, your child will need a sun
hat and sun cream should be applied before your child comes to Nursery. Those
attending all day can bring their own clearly labelled bottle of sun cream with a
signed permission slip, so that staff can supervise the application of the cream.

We welcome parents, carers or grandparent helpers in the Nursery. You may be
involved in working with a small group of children, helping with our library or just
reading stories. If you think this is something you would be willing to do on a regular
basis just talk to one of the Nursery staff.

                                “Reading Books”
Communication

Regular newsletters are sent home from both School and Nursery these contain
general information and diary dates. Always look at the whiteboard outside the
Nursery door and regularly check your child’s Tapestry.              Newsletters and
information can also be accessed on our school website www.fakenhaminfant.org.uk.
We have a text messaging service, which is used throughout the school. Nursery
staff are always available to answer any questions and address any concerns. We
offer a ‘key person day’ where we invite parents to come to join in the days’ activities
whilst having the opportunity to discuss your child’s development with their key
person. We also hold Family Cafés and a Christmas event for you to come along to.
Please make sure that we always have up to date contact numbers in case of
emergency. If someone other than yourselves or a named person on the admission
form is going to pick up your child, please let us know. Children will not be allowed
home if we do not have appropriate information.

Absence
We do appreciate a phone call or message if your child is ill or in the case of an
unavoidable absence. If your child is unwell please could you ensure they stay at
home until they are fully recovered. Please inform the Nursery staff if your child
has any health worries or if there are any changes in your family circumstances.
Please ensure that you inform the Nursery staff if your child suffers from asthma
and if they need to use an inhaler. If an inhaler is required please obtain a second
inhaler, marked clearly with your child’s name which can be left at the Nursery.
Please also ask for and complete the relevant paperwork.

Access to the Nursery

Access is via the Children’s Centre entrance. At the beginning of the session please
wait outside and Nursery staff will call you in when it is time. Similarly, at the end
of the session we will call you in. If it is really pouring with rain then you are
welcome to shelter under the canopy.

Nursery Fund

We would like to provide opportunities for the children to cook, explore and
experiment and to be involved in other special activities. It is with these activities
in mind that we have a Nursery fund where parents are asked to make a voluntary
contribution of £12.00 each year.

Snack Time
The children have a daily snack. They have it at the Snack Bar, where they access it
for themselves and make the choice between fruit, milk or water. If your child
cannot drink milk due to an allergy, please can you let us know on the home visit. As
some of our children may have serious allergies please do not bring any food or
sweets into the Nursery and remember to check little pockets, thank you.

The Early Years Foundation Stage

We have a large Early Years Unit including Reception classes, the Nursery and
Children’s Centre. We all work according to the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The Early Years Foundation Stage has 3 prime areas – Personal, Social &
Emotional Development, Communication & Language and Physical Development.
There are also 4 specific areas - Literacy, Maths, Understanding of the World
and Expressive Arts & Design. It is the framework of the development of the
child from birth to 5 years old. Your child is now at the important stage of Early
Years Education.     He/she will be learning and gaining experience through
structured and independent child-initiated activities.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This area of learning helps your child feel good about themselves, e.g. leaving
their carer with confidence, respecting others and being kind. He/she will
become independent dressing and changing. They learn to take care of their
belongings, learn to be interested, excited and motivated to learn. The children
develop self-confidence, learn how to take turns and play with their peers. They
also learn how to manage their feelings and understand what behaviour is
expected of them.

Communication and Language
This area is of real importance and is at the heart of your child’s learning.
He/she will be encouraged to listen and speak confidently to others. A big
emphasis is on speaking, listening and learning how to express themselves.
The focus is on listening and paying attention, understanding and using talk to
originate sequences and clarify their thinking.

Physical Development

We participate in many activities to develop our skills within dance, gym and
games, using a range of small and large equipment both indoors and outside. We
also provide the children with lots of opportunities to develop their fine motor
skills. This skill is important when children are learning to hold a pencil to form
their letters correctly. A variety of tools and activities are used to develop
hand/eye co-ordination. Children are also encouraged to recognise the benefits of
being active and making healthy lifestyle choices.

Maths Development
Mathematical development comes from your child learning through activities
including counting, sorting, looking at patterns and shapes. He/she will explore
number, shape and measures in both the indoor and outdoor environment. Playing
and singing counting games, counting buttons on a coat or sorting toy cars is
excellent preparation for the work in the Early Learning Goals.

Literacy (Reading & Writing)

We follow a programme called Read Write Inc, and in the Nursery, we begin to
introduce the different letters and sounds in words and play phonic based games.
Reading labels and text all around us develops early reading and writing skills.
Children have many opportunities to write for a variety of purposes.

Understanding of the World
In this area of learning children will find out more about the world in which they
live. They will develop an understanding through role play and investigation. They
learn to explore different places, living things, how things work, look at changes
and they use ICT to support their learning. We have a wonderful, large outdoor
area for children to explore and extend their learning.

Expressive Arts & Design

Being creative helps your child make connections between one area of learning and
another. Creative and messy play is important in both the indoor and outdoor
environment. This area includes art, music, dance, and imaginative play. Children
have opportunities to express their ideas through a wide range of materials.
They will become confident to explore using all their senses. They will enjoy using
and responding to a range of musical instruments.

Safeguarding/Child Protection Procedures

This school is committed to promoting the health and welfare of all pupils. If we
see signs which suggest that one of our pupils may have been a victim of abuse, we
are required by law to follow procedures laid down by the Norfolk Area Child
Protection Committee. Use of the procedures in this way is an obligation placed
on the school by legislation and in no way infers that any parent/carer is being
accused of wrongdoing. The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection is
Mrs S Gallichan and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads are Mrs J Barker
and Mrs M Walker.

Operation Encompass
The school has signed up to this joint initiative with Norfolk County Council and
Norfolk Police. Encompass has been set up to provide support to children who
have been present at incidents of domestic abuse. The school will receive a
confidential phone call from the multi-agency safeguarding hub before 9.00am on
the morning after any domestic incident where a child at the school has been
involved in, present or witness to domestic violence.

Staff in the Early Years Foundation Stage work closely together to enable the
Nursery and Reception classes to share many learning experiences both inside and
outdoors. This is beneficial when children start in the Reception year as the
environment and staff are familiar to them.

Partnership with parents

Nursery education is very much a partnership between home and school. Parents are
extremely important in their child’s education. By being interested in what your
child is doing, listening and talking to them and coming into the Nursery to share
their experiences, will ensure that you become involved in your child’s learning.

   1. Key Person – When your child first starts Nursery, they will be allocated a
      Key Person. This member of staff has the responsibility of really getting to
      know your child and appropriately planning for their development. They will be
      responsible for your child’s learning journal (Tapestry).
   2. Tapestry – During your child’s time at Nursery, we will document their
      learning using an online Learning Journal. It will include observations and
      photographs of the activities your child has completed at Nursery and
      provides an understanding of your child’s learning and development. This has
      proved very popular with parents who have contributed to it themselves by
      uploading their own observations. This is invaluable in getting to know your
      child really well.

Governing Body.

The Governing Body of Fakenham Infant and Nursery School comprises of
members drawn from parents/carers of children attending the school and the
wider community. They have a broad range of interests, skills and experience to
assist and support the Head Teacher in the running of the school.

All Governors are volunteers and become involved with managing budgets,
appointing new staff, planning building improvements and ensuring the curriculum
is delivered to the highest standards. The Governing Body also acts as a ‘critical
friend’ to help take the school forward and ensure the school is a safe, secure
and happy learning environment for the children.

Parent Governors enable the views of parents to be heard. They are involved in
many decision-making processes and therefore are able to contribute to the
running of the school and the monitoring of our pupils’ achievements. All
governors play a vital role in supporting the school in these challenging times.

H.E.L.P.S

H.E.L.P.S is the parent teachers association of Fakenham Infant and Nursery
School. Approximately 300 pupils attend our school and we aim to raise money to
help staff to provide the best possible education for all of those children.
The committee is made up of parents and members of staff and meets regularly
at the school. We organise events for the children and the whole family. We are
always on the lookout for new members, ideas and help at events. If you are
interested in becoming a member please let us know. Recent events have included:
Children’s Discos, Christmas Cheer, Easter Fayre, BBQ. and more. Access to
giving is available through www.easyfundraising.org.uk.
We aim to spend all the money we raise on the pupils and in the past we have
funded: a travel and trip subsidy and an outdoor classroom.
Already the staff and parents have lots more plans for spending money so every
penny is important! We are grateful to everyone who supports the school by
attending our events and giving generously of both their time and effort.

                  H.E.L.P.S have their own Facebook page:
                 https://www.facebook.com/HELPSfakenham/

We are always happy to answer your questions and to talk to you about the activities
your child has been doing and how your child has settled into Nursery life. We
welcome your comments and interest in your child’s progress and development, as the
more information we can gather about your child’s needs the better we are able to
provide for them.

We hope you find this booklet useful, but if you have any queries whatsoever, please
do not hesitate to ask any of the Nursery staff.

We look forward to working with you and your child/children.

         What we learn with pleasure, we never forget.

Although details in this brochure were correct at the time of printing, it cannot be assumed that changes will not take
place during the period between reviews. If you have any questions about anything contained in this brochure, please feel
welcome to ask in school.

                   “Together We Can”

School term dates 2020-21
              Please note these dates differ slightly to the holiday dates of some neighbouring schools.

Autumn term
•         Monday 7 September - Friday 23 October 2020

•         Half-term holiday: Monday 26 - Friday 30 October 2020

•         Monday 2 November - Friday 18 December 2020

•         Christmas holiday: Monday 21 December - Monday 4 January 2021

Spring term
•         Tuesday 5 January - Friday 12 February 2021

•         Half-term holiday: Monday 15 - Friday 19 February 2021

•         Monday 22 February - Friday 26 March 2021

•         Easter holiday: Monday 29 March - Friday 9 April 2021

Summer term
•         Monday 12 April - Friday 28 May 2021 (Monday 3 May is a Bank                                Holiday)

•         Half-term holiday: Monday 31 May - Friday 4 June 2021

•         Monday 7 June - Wednesday 21 July 2021 (Wednesday 30 June school will be
      closed)

Staff training days are: 3 and 4 September 2020, 4 January 2021 and 30 June
2021 plus 1 day devolved as twilights

    In line with the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), you can find all relevant
                        polices and privacy notices on our school website.