Nursery

Where little minds go to explore . . .

What do we do?

The Nursery Room is where your child will learn through play before they move into the Pre-School room the September before they start school.

Many of the children in Nursery are learning what it’s like to be away from their main care-giver for the first time. They are ready to start learning self-help skills, how to share and to take turns – a necessary part of growing up!

With growing independence, and with their own unique personalities coming through, children at this age are starting to develop social skills and make lasting friendships.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum is followed by your child until they finish their Reception Year at school. In the Nursery, activities are planned with the EYFS curriculum in mind, providing a little more structure to the day to prepare your child for their first steps into education.

How do we do it?

In the Nursery Room, we encourage the children to be independent by focusing on social interaction, physical development and language development. In the first part of the session, we support the children through busy learning by extending and building upon their prior knowledge. After that, the children will be encouraged to tidy and share a story with their keyperson. They then enjoy a snack of fresh fruit and vegetables. Next comes circle time or music sessions. The session ends with a simple prayer.

The classroom and outside area have many opportunities for the children to develop important skills while accessing a wide range of activities. They regularly join with the Pre-School children in the outside area where they learn from the older children who are role-models. This also aids their transition into Pre-School at the end of the year.

Children of this age can still get tired because they are so busy with their learning. Story times and snack times are quiet and cosy and provide them with some much-needed downtime with their keyperson with whom they are familiar and feel safe. The keypersons help the children reflect on their previous activities.

Nursery

 

Key Contact

Nursery

The Nursery staff members work to help your child settle into the setting. You are welcome to remain with your child until you feel they are sufficiently at ease. They will be allocated a keyperson with whom they will develop a strong and lasting bond. The keyperson will work closely with you for the entire time your child is in the setting, to oversee and plan their development and the next steps in learning. Your child will join a group called Bees, Butterflies, Ladybirds or Dragonflies.

While we look forward to giving daily feedback to you when you collect your child, we also plan more formal opportunities for parents’ meetings throughout the year so that together we can set the next steps for your child. In the first of these, your child’s keyperson will meet with you when you first arrive in the setting. Together, you will discuss your child’s development and, if necessary, carry out your child’s ‘2 Year Old Progress Check’. This is a standard set by Ofsted and presents parents with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum – 1. Physical Development; 2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development and 3. Communication & Language. There will be at least two other formal meetings with your child’s keyperson to help you both track your child’s progress.

We believe strongly in working together to help your child be the best they can be, so this partnership working is very important to us. We invite parents and grandparents in to help in the classrooms. You might even like to share a special interest or talent with us. Please let the staff know so that this can be included in the session planning.

If your child has toys or pictures they would like to share with their friends, please bring them in for the items to be introduced at an appropriate moment.

Contact

Enquiry

To make an enquiry about a place at the nursery please click this button.

Important Information
Funding

We offer Free Early Years Entitlement funding for 2 year olds who fit the eligibility criteria set by the government. Please speak to the manager, Denise Arnold, about eligibility.

Visit

If you would like to see the Nursery Room at work, please ring us to arrange a visit.

School Meals Menu
If your child will stay for lunch, please ask for a menu and price list from the office.
Clothes
We ask that children don’t wear their ‘best’ clothes. We want our children to enjoy themselves without needing to worry about getting dirty. Please label all clothing. If you would like your child to wear a Childcare Trust polo shirt, please ask Caroline in the office for an order form. This can be a good way of getting them used to wearing uniform before they begin at school. We also encourage all children to brush their teeth after lunch in accordance with our healthy eating policy.
Photographs
All children will have the opportunity to have their photograph taken during the year by a professional photographer.
Class Outing
They will also be invited to go on their ‘class outing’ each summer term. Details of these outings are posted on the notice board and your permission is required to allow them to go on the trip.
Drama
Your child will also participate in the drama productions at Christmas and the end of Summer Term. These productions will help them to build confidence. We welcome families to come to watch.
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Location:

St James' Square, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 3QG

Telephone:

01242 515387

Email:

childcare@st-gregorygreat.gloucs.sch.uk

Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 4.00pm

Our Organisation

St. Gregory’s Childcare Trust is a registered charity (nr. 1099491) and is registered with Ofsted (URN: EY267801).

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