St. Nicholas House Kindergarten Statement

Staffing
At St. Nicholas House School there is a separate Kindergarten building. However, the education stage, known as the Foundation Stage, covers children up to the end of the Reception Year.

Therefore there is a Head of Early Years, Mrs.J. Pritchard. She is responsible for the overall planning for both Kindergarten and Reception, and the implementation of activities in Kindergarten.

This role has been established to ensure an integrated curriculum across the whole of the Foundation Stage. This will have a joint objective of meeting the prescribed early learning goals and stepping stones as well as preparing the children to move into main school.

Dealing with the day to day running of Kindergarten, Mrs Edmunds is the senior nursery nurse and Miss Pritchard and Mrs. Saunders assists.

The Foundation Stage Areas of Learning - The Curriculum
Firstly, we ensure that, in the area of Personal, Social and Emotional Development we take a holistic approach to the children, looking at the whole child and nurturing their caring and sharing nature to develop good citizens!

Secondly, we develop reading and writing skills in a stimulating environment. This includes using stories, allowing emergent writing and through child-led role play. It must be emphasised that at this stage children develop at very different rates and we therefore concentrate on the needs of the individual child.

Thirdly, through play and games we seek to develop young mathematicians, who will find maths exciting and challenging rather than threatening.

Fourthly, covering knowledge and understanding of the world, we seek to give the children, an awareness of the world at large using such thing as visits, stories, outside speakers and using technology of all different types.

Fifthly to ensure well-rounded children we offer all sorts of creative experiences - you name it, we'll use it! One requirement that we do have is that you clear a wall and build some shelves to accommodate all the things that they will be bringing home to show you!

Finally, we also look to develop healthy, fit well co-ordinated children with outdoor and indoor activities, sports and games.

This may all sound a bit high pressure, but what we are aiming for is that the children enjoy the learning experience, develop social skills and learn through structured play both outdoors and indoors, without realising the hard work that they are putting in!

This all fits in with the ethos throughout St. Nicholas House School, which is one of maximising the potential of each child within the framework of a mutually caring environment. Recent research just confirms what we've always known - namely that children who attend a nursery or Kindergarten do better in reading, writing and maths and have improved social skills.

Sessions
We take children from the age of three and you can choose, space permitting, how many sessions you would like. Our sessions run during term time and are as follows:

Mornings - from 9 a.m. until 12 noon
At noon the children can either go home, stay for their own packed lunch or have a hot school lunch and can be picked up at 1 p.m.. or stay for the afternoon until 3.30 p.m..

Afternoons - from 1 p.m. until 3.30 p.m.
We offer an `early bird' service for working parents where children can be dropped off in Kindergarten from 8.15 a. m.

We claim the nursery grant for you, which is then deducted from your bill. (please see separate sheet for prices)

We are very flexible and will try, where possible, to accommodate your requirements!

Communication
We recognise the importance of communication with parents as the children start their school lives. Whilst your child is in Kindergarten, Mrs Edmunds is available to discuss matters with you, at mutually convenient times, as is Mrs. Pritchard. She will take an interest in your child's development and seeing them come through to reception, although we do realise that not all the children will come through to the Main School.

Hopefully this section of the website has been informative, although we realise that it will not have covered all your questions. Please feel free to come and visit us - you will be made very welcome!