Nursery 2022 - 2023

Mrs Horrocks

Welcome to our Nursery class page!

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of our new children and families who have joined our Nursery this year. We are delighted to have you here with us and we hope that both you and your children are very happy and that the children are coming home full of excited tales to tell you.  They are an absolute delight to work with each and every day and they are already enjoying their Nursery setting; building friendships, learning lots of new things and most of all having lots of fun!

Please keep an eye on our Nursery webpage as we will continue to update it with information for you. If you would like to keep up-to-date with events at our school please check our school website each Friday afternoon where you can read our weekly school newsletter.

Nursery Information

Please take a few moments to read the following information reagrding our Nursery. If you have any questions or require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.

Nursery Staffing - Who's Who?

Mrs Horrocks - Nursery Manager

Miss Taylor - Nursery Assistant/Deputy

Mrs Scott - Nursery Assitant

Learning Through Play

In our EYFS classes, Nursery and Reception, we place huge importance on learning through play.

The EYFS statutory Framework states that "Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults." 

Our learning environment is carefully planned to support learning across all 7 areas of learning. Learning takes place through a balance of structured activities, challenges and independent play. Adults are there to observe, support and extend children’s play and use their interests and ideas as a starting point for future learning opportunities.

Children in Nursery will have access to a range of continuous provision both indoors and outdoors everyday. These include:

  • Role play area
  • Small World
  • Block play and construction
  • Loose parts
  • Book area
  • Investigation
  • Water/sand play
  • Dough/sensory play
  • Creative workshop
  • Maths area
  • Mark making/writing equipment

Planned and purposeful opportunities for children in these areas will support development across the 7 areas of learning:

  • Communication and Language
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World 
  • Expressive Arts and Design

Our approach to learning is designed to develop self-confidence, self-esteem and self-control, enabling a ‘can do’ attitude towards new experiences and challenges. We place emphasis on developing personal and social skills, praising positive behaviour and encouraging a thoughtful and considerate attitude towards others. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, balancing adult led structured activities with child initiated free choice. We appreciate that all children are unique, and that children learn best when encouraged to follow their own individual interests and make their own choices. We therefore aim to provide an environment full of opportunities in terms of materials, time and space for children to become absorbed in their own choices of play activities. As Early Years Practitioners we make continuous and ongoing observations of each child’s interests and plan activities based on them to further the child’s development. Developing a love of learning in the early years helps to prepare children for the next stage in their lives, providing them with the necessary skills, abilities and confidence to enable them to flourish and reach their full potential both at school and throughout their adult lives.

Further information including a parents guide to the EYFS can be found and downloaded at the bottom of this page. You will also find our long and medium term plans so you can always keep up to date with what we are focusing on in Nursery throughout the year.

Uniform

We politely request that children attending nursery wear the following uniform:

  • White polo shirt/t shirt
  • Navy blue jumper or cardigan  (With or without school logo)
  • Navy blue skirt/trousers or jogging pants
  • Grey skirt/trousers or jogging pants
  • Black school shoes or pumps (Velcro fastenings only, no laces please)
  • Grey Shorts (Summer term)
  • Blue and white checked summer dress (Summer term)

Please be mindful when choosing uniform and try to consider if children will be able to be independent when using the toilet and when taking off and putting on shoes after outdoor play.

 Piggy Bank

We politely ask for a weekly donation of £1.00 per week from each child to contribute to our piggy bank. The money collected enables us to:

  • Provide a healthy snack each day for the children
  • Buy resources which enhance and support learning in the continuous provision areas
  • Provide treats for the children such as parties to celebrate special occasions/end of terms, etc.

This can be paid weekly or half termly. We are so grateful for your support with this so thank you enormously!

 

 

We would love to hear from you

Find Us

St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
Rainford Rd,
Denton's Green,
Saint Helens
WA10 6BX

Let's Connect

SENDCo | Amanda Hitchen
School Business Manager | Lynn Horton
Admin Assistant | Julie McDonagh-Smith