Nursery Classes In School
What is a maintained nursery class in a school?
Maintained Nursery classes are an integral and valued part of some Poole schools (this is what the word maintained means). They offer early education and care exclusively for children in Foundation 1, the first year of the Foundation Stage. This is the year before your child will start in a Foundation 2 class (often called the reception class) in one of Poole's primary schools. Some schools are developing a Foundation Stage Unit, which includes the nursery class (F1) and the reception class in joint accommodation.
The defining factor of a aintained nursery class is that it must be led by a qualified teacher with early years expertise.
What do they provide?
The nursery classes are planned and resourced to ensure that your child learns and develops through play. The means by exploring, talking, sharing and doing. These planned play opportunities and activities help your child learn alongside others with enjoyment and challenge both indoors and out.
These opprtunities and activities will address the six areas of learning in the Foundation Stage Cirriculum, the national programme for children aged three to five years.
The qualified teacher will take account of what your child already knows and can do and plan for his/her particular needs.
Their progress and significant steps forward wil be regularly noted and shared with you. You can then plan next steps in learning together.
What is the Foundation Stage Cirriculum?
Effective early education requires a special and relevant curriculum led by practitioners who know all about your child. The Foundation Stage Cirriculum has six areas of learning, all equally important.
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development.
- Communication, Language and Literacy.
- Mathematical Development.
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
- Physical Development.
Children develop rapidly during this time time, physically, intellectually, creatively, socially and emotionally. The Foundation Stage is about developing key learning skills such as listening, speaking, concentration, persistence and learning to work together and co-operate with other children. It is also about developing early communication, literacy and numeracy skills that they will develop further in Key Stage 1 of the National Cirriculum.
How are nursery classes in schools regulated?
Each nursery class is an integral part of a Poole school and each school is subject to monitoring and evaluation arrangements by the Local Education Authority and Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education). They have to meet a wide range of national standards.
Who can attend a nursery class in a school?
Any child who is three before 1 September in the year of entry.
Will I have to pay?
No. All children are eligibility to receive 5 x 2.5 hour sessions per week supported by Three and Four Year Old Funding.
What qualifications and training will staff have?
All nursery classes in schools are led by qualified teachers, supported by other appropriately qualified staff. All staff participate in regular training and professional development opportunities provided by the school and the Early Years Advisers within the LEA. Staff complete at least four days of early education and care training annually.
So how do I choose a maintained nursery class?
Please contact the school by telephone. The headteacher will be pleased to arrange for you to visit and to answer any questions you might have.
Maintained nursery classes are located at the following schools
- Bearwood Primary & Nursery School: 01202 590703
- Hamworthy First School & Nursery: 01202 672377
- Hillbourne Community First School & Nursery: 01202 693793
- Old Town First School & Nursery: 01202 674966
Some schools have additional childcare facilities or links - please ask the school for details.
How do I apply for a place at a maintained nursery class?
Admission packs, including application forms, are available in schools in the autumn term prior to starting Nursery.
If your child is already of the correct age for a place in a maintiained nursery, please discuss the availability of places with the headteacher.
What a maintained nursery class can offer?
- Premises solely dedicated to nursery.
- Access to a wide range of facilities and resources in the main school.
- Outside learning area.
- Qualified teachers and experienced staff, who are part of the whole school team.
- Special Education Needs advice and support for parents, pupils, and teachers from the Special Educational Needs Leader.
- Office staff available throughout the school day to answer your queries.
- Participation in whole school activities and events.
- Regular opportunities to meet your child's teacher to discuss their progress.
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