Nursery and Pre-School
Whitleigh Primary School’s Nursery and Pre-school is a high-quality, happy and caring provision that caters for children from two to four years of age.
The Nursery is the first stage of the Early Years Unit, which offers 16 places for 2-year-old children - 8 children in the morning and 8 children in the afternoon. The next phase of the Early Years Unit is the Pre-school, offering 52 places for 3 and 4-year-old children - 26 children in the morning and 26 in the afternoon. The wide variety of resources and activities offered are planned to suit the age group and cover all seven areas of development outlined by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. We focus on learning through play and carefully monitor each child’s individual needs through our ‘Key Worker’ system. Getting to know children is really important to us as this means that we will know their individual learning needs. We will always engage and work with Parents/Carers to ensure we support their learning and education.
We actively promote learning by creating enjoyable experiences. A stimulating environment is essential for children to have fun, socialise and learn. We take time to carefully consider the environment and activities to ensure they are inviting and interesting for our children. All learning and educational activities are underpinned by the aim to ensure children are well equipped with the skills and understanding needed for their first steps into Reception.
The bright and welcoming Nursery and Pre-School is situated within our Early Years Unit. Both rooms are well resourced and have their own outside area. All Nursery and Pre-School children are able to access lots of resources within the wider school and do so on a weekly basis, including using the cooking kitchen, the school library, and the Playbarn where they have a PE session. Children’s learning is carefully planned by the class teacher or Room Leader, and children in Pre-School take part in daily Read, Write Inc sessions to ensure they have the fundamental skills they need to learn to read and write when they start in the Reception Year. The children moving onto our Reception classes from within our own school nursery receive an enhanced transition, as the adults who will work with the children the following year are able to visit the transitioning children in their class regularly, giving them the best start to their journey through the schools. Staff also receive high quality professional development, along with all of the teachers and support staff within the school, so children’s learning journeys are seamless in the progression and curriculum design.
Key Workers
In order to meet the individual needs of all children, the Early Years Unit assigns a Key Worker to each child when they enter the setting. A Key Worker will help each child to become familiar with the provision and to feel confident and safe within it. They will meet the needs of each child in their care and respond sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour. The Key Worker will endeavour to make close links with the Parents/Carers of their key children to ensure that each child is being cared for appropriately and in line with the wishes of each family.
Session Details
In our 2 year old Nursery, Early Years Practitioners and Teaching and Learning Assistants, provide a tailored and professional education for all children. Children attend for fifteen funded hours per week (either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons) during school terms.
Nursery sessions are split into:
Morning Session: 8.40am – 11.40am
Afternoon Session: 12.10pm – 3.10pm
In our Pre-School, Qualified Teachers, Early Years Practitioners and Teaching and Learning Assistants, provide a tailored and professional education for all children. Children attend for fifteen funded hours per week (either 5 mornings or 5 afternoons or 2 and a half days) during school terms.
Nursery sessions are split into:
Morning Session: 8.45am – 11.45am
Afternoon Session: 12.15pm – 3.15pm
2 and a half day sessions: 8.25am-2.45pm (either Mon, Tues and Weds PM or Weds PM, Thurs, Fri)
Within our Pre-School, we also offer Parents/Carers the opportunity to purchase additional sessions should they wish to do so. In addition, Pre-school children may be eligible for 30 hours funding.
For more information about our Nursery/Pre-School or to book a visit please contact the school office either by email office@whitleighprimary.co.uk or calling us on 01752 706383.
