Sunflower Nursery Class
Sunflower Nursery Class is part of Faringdon Infant School and the majority of the children transfer to one of our Reception Classes. The Nursery is open during term time and admits 26 children per session. Children begin Nursery the term after their third birthday. We have three admission dates throughout the academic year – September, January and March.
The children who attend Nursery are eligible for 15 or 30 hours Government funding*. They attend either for a morning session or all day. The children are allocated lunch days, as part of their offer. Some children are eligible for free school lunches*. A hot school lunch can be purchased or parents can choose to provide a packed lunch.
Morning Session: 8.50am – 11.30 am
Afternoon Session: 12.30 pm – 3.00 pm
Lunch: 11.30am – 12.30pm
*Please contact the School Office for all enquiries about Nursery. You will be sent an information pack and an initial visit, can be arranged.
Staffing
The Nursery is run by a dedicated, pro-active and experienced team of three staff members.
We operate the Key Person system and each staff member has a small group of key children. Staff are responsible for settling the children and supporting them continuously, throughout their learning and development. Nursery staff work closely with parents, carers and their key children to ensure that there are warm and positive relationships, with the children and their families. Staff implement regular observations of the children and take photographs of their work and achievements, using the class iPad. We use Target Tracker softwear to track pupils' progress and development and, data is used to plan and support children’s next steps of learning.
Home School/Partnership
Parents are encouraged to share all relevant information with the Head Teacher and Nursery Manager. They are able to talk to Nursery staff at the beginning or end of a Nursery session. Parents are kept up to date with school and nursery news, on a regular basis via school newsletters, the school website, nursery newsletters and our class email. Summative and formative assessments are shared with parents. Children’s profiles are available to view at the end of every term and parents are invited to attend parents’ evenings in the Autumn and Spring terms.
We arrange an open evening in the Summer term, for prospective parents of children who will begin Nursery in September. There is a large notice board with information for parents. The “Sunflower Class” page on the website is updated weekly and includes a resume of what the children have done during the week, with accompanying photographs of their learning and experiences.
Children are encouraged to share home/school news and we have regular circle time talks about special family times. Each child has a book-bag and they can choose a book, twice a week. Parents/carers are encouraged to complete their child’s reading record, when a story has been shared at home.
Included in our termly newsletters, are ideas for activities, that parents can do at home with their children. We have a Sunflower class email and class TEAMS that have been used frequently, to enable parents and children to access home learning, during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Provision
We aspire to provide enriched experiences for the children and always consider starting points, based on children’s previous experiences, prior to attending Nursery. Sunflower Nursery is a safe and secure learning environment and our aim is for the children to achieve their full potential, during their time with us. Our classroom is happy and busy and we support and encourage the children to become confident and autonomous learners, whenever possible. Staff use positive praise and encouragement to inspire the children and we have realistic expectations of individual achievements, progress and behaviour.
The children have access to a beautifully presented classroom, that is rich in provision, with high quality equipment, open-ended resources and captivating display work. The children have a free flow choice to the Nursery garden throughout the morning and afternoon session. The indoor and outdoor provision, is organise to enable the children to play alone, together, in small and large groups and there are clearly defined areas, to promote each area of learning. The children are able to select a range of activities independently – malleable, sand, water, painting, puzzles, small world imaginary play, construction, small manipulation activities, investigative resources, role play, mark making, maths resources, books, story sacks, listening stations, IWB, computer, large outdoor equipment, natural materials, balancing equipment, ride on toys and gardening.
We introduce specific adult focused activities in small groups – Maths, Phonics, Talk Boost, Topic related work, Circle Time and Art and Craft. We come together as a whole class for PE, Woodland visits, Music, Dough Disco, and Story Time.
The children have a healthy snack, mid-morning and mid-afternoon and drinking water is available throughout each session. We have a cooking/baking group* every Friday morning.
*Termly fee applies
Curriculum
The children are introduced to a broad, balanced and appropriate Early Years Curriculum, with emphasis on how young children learn and develop. Young children are active learners, and the characteristics of effective learning in Early Year are: ”Play and Exploring, Active Learning, Creating and Thinking”. We provide opportunities for adult lead activities, child-initiated learning and adult initiated learning.
We follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage - Development Matters - for the Prime and Specific Areas of learning and Development.
Prime Areas:
Specific Areas:
SEND
We have a dedicated team of staff, who support all the children who attend Nursery, including the children with specific needs and children who have EHCPs. We allocate additional time, resources and 1-1 support for our SEND children, to help them achieve their best. We are very fortunate in having professional guidance from the school’s SENDCo and Pastoral Lead. External agencies and specialist advisors visit regularly and assist staff, in planning and adapting, the curriculum to suit the needs and particular requirements of individual children.
Enrichment
In addition to the day to day provision, the children in Nursery enjoy a varied and enriched curriculum. The children are familiar with the Infant School and use the school hall every day for lunch and on a Wednesday for PE.
We are extremely lucky to have access to the woodlands, that surround the school grounds, and have weekly visits and an end of term Teddy Bears picnic.
We use the school playing field for sports practise and have our sports day in July. We participate in whole school theme days and special themed weeks and have a range of outings, visits and visitors.
We have a Christmas Nativity Play and Christmas Party and celebrate other religions, beliefs and traditions, throughout the Academic year.