SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Our nursery school aims to provide for children’s individual needs, including special educational needs. We work with parents from before admission or as soon as special needs are identified, to make the best possible provision for each child. We also seek help and advice from agencies such as the Psychological Service and Education Bradford Learning Support Service. Please ask to see our full SEN Policy.
BEHAVIOUR
We encourage good behaviour by using a range of approaches .e.g modelling respect for everyone ,helping children deal with conflict in a non aggressive way and showing children how to share .We will not tolerate bullying or discrimination.
Discussion between staff and parents helps to relieve and provide solutions to unacceptable behaviour. If you have any concerns about your child please talk to their Key worker.
We have some simple rules we expect children to follow such as walking inside, sharing and taking turns ,helping to tidy up and being kind to each other.
We have a policy on Behaviour and one on Restraint. Please ask in the office if you would like a copy.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL & CHILDREN’S CENTRE
STARTING NURSERY SCHOOL
HOME VISITS
When a place becomes available for your child, we contact you to check that you wish to take it up. We then arrange to come and visit you and your child at home, to complete the admission forms and start to get to know each other. If a home visit is not convenient for you or if you live a long way from school, we can arrange for you and your child to call into school to complete the forms.
KEY WORKERS
Each child has a key worker – we refer to her as the child’s “special teacher” – who will make the home visit or meet you in school. This member of staff is then a familiar face when your child starts nursery. Some children become very attached to their special teacher and like to seek her out each day; others make friends with a different member of staff and others don’t need that kind of adult reassurance – all children are different!
Both staff and parents find the key worker system valuable in our large and busy nursery. Your child’s special teacher is the best person to give messages to or raise queries in the first instance – though if your can’t find her, any member of staff will be happy to help. She also maintains your child’s record book (see below), which you can ask to see at any time.
SETTLING IN
We admit new children gradually over the first few weeks of each term. We always ask a parent or carer to stay with the child for the whole of the first session in nursery. In most cases, parents stay for several days and then try sitting in another room to see if their child is happy before leaving them by themselves for a whole session. However, every child is different: talk with your child’s special teacher about how best to arrange your child’s settling in.
We are happy to have younger children in school provided a parent or adult supervises them.
During the settling in time, the Headteacher will talk to you about your child at nursery and answer any queries you may have.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL and CHILDREN’S CENTRE
YOUR CHILD’S NURSERY DAY
The morning session starts at 9.00 a.m. If you arrive earlier, please wait with your child in the lobby.
You and your child will go to the cloakroom and hang up their coat on their coat peg.
Your child’s registration card should be taken into the classroom and your child can say hello to their teacher.
Your child can then go to either classroom and choose an activity. The learning areas listed on the previous page are always available; in addition, there are extensions of these activities and new learning experiences introduced each week. We plan these each half term and give you the outline plan.
There are always staff available for you to talk to at the beginning of the session.
Our Parental Involvement Worker is on hand on Thursday and Friday
You are very welcome to stay and join in the play or read a story or watch what is going on!
We would ask you to arrive by 9.20 a.m. at the latest – the nursery sessions are short and we want your child to get maximum benefit from them.
Outdoor play is available from 9.45 a.m.: children can go out as they choose. We play out in all weathers, so please ensure that your child has suitable clothes for this. In winter, gloves are a good idea; also wellies for snow. In hot weather, children can bring their own sun hat (named) or use a nursery ‘legionnaire’s cap’. We have a policy on the use of sun cream . Please ask if you want your child to use suncream.
Snack is available for all children during the morning in the Yellow Room .
The morning session finishes at 11.30 a.m. (Play continues for the full-time children, so will you please make sure that a member of staff knows that you are collecting your child and leaving the building.) Please collect your child before 11.30 a.m. as we start our lunch session at 11.30 a.m. and staff have to make sure the Full Time children are ready for dinner (hand washing etc). As you go out please make sure no other child leaves with you.
The afternoon session starts at 1.00 p.m. If you arrive earlier, please wait with your child in the lobby– those staff on duty are occupied with the Full Time children, while all other staff are on their break.
The session follows the same pattern as the morning, with outdoor play available from 1.30 p.m and Snack available in the Yellow Room
At 3.00 p.m. children are in groups for singing and story and are collected by parents from their classes from 3.30 pm onwards. If you come to collect your child before 3.00 p.m., please tell a member of staff you are taking them. Please try not to interrupt the story session.
The nursery school core provision finishes at 3.30 p.m.
Children attending extended day provision can stay until 6pm.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL & CHILDREN’S CENTRE
ATTENDANCE
Although nursery education is non-statutory, it is very important that having gained a place, your child attends regularly. Not only do children make better progress if they attend every day, but it means the best possible use is being made of scarce nursery places.
If you have any problems about bringing your child regularly, please talk to the Headteacher about it: we would much rather try and help with the problem than just wonder why your child is not at nursery.
The register is marked between 9.00 and 9.30 a.m. and again in the afternoon between 1.15 and 1.30 p.m. Please ensure that your child arrives at nursery in time for registration.
We appreciate knowing if your child is absent due to illness so that the absence can be authorised. It is also helpful to know when children are absent because of dental, hospital or doctors appointments.
Absence for up to two weeks family holiday is authorised
In the case of extended visits abroad, we follow Education Bradford’s policy for Governors – 2 weeks absence can be authorised in exceptional circumstances. If your child doesn’t return after 4 weeks absence your child’s name can be removed from the register and the place allocated to someone else. Please ask the Headteacher for a leave of absence form.
COLLECTING CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL
Please make safe arrangements for collecting your child from school. Tell the staff in advance if someone different is coming to collect your child. Please do not send young brothers and sisters who may not be able to look after little children when crossing busy roads. The policy is that anyone collecting your child must be over 12. Ring us on 546492 if you have problem collecting your child.
Curriculum Statement
Communication Language and Literacy
We help children to learn talking and listening skills, early reading skills , early writing skills and an appreciation and knowledge of stories ,rhymes and poetry. Please see additional information on children learning English.
Mathematical Development
We help children to learn and use mathematical language, develop counting skills, use simple number operations , understand and learn about using different measures , shapes ,space and sizes.
Personal , Social and Emotional Development
We concentrate on children developing independence, self esteem, interpersonal skills and an elementary understanding of morality.
We see that it is important to ensure that children are and continue to be interested and motivated to learn whilst understanding and developing a sense of responsibility to people and places in the world around them
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
This area groups together 5 areas of learning :
- Early Geographical concepts
- Early Science
- Early Historical concepts
- Early Design and Technology
- Early Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Creative Development
Creativity through personal expression and use of the imagination using a range of resources and covering Art, Music, Dance and Movement and Role Play.
Physical Development
We help children to develop fine motor skills and gross motor skills using a wide range of resources both inside and outdoors. Children will learn about the importance of keeping healthy.
ORGANISATION
There are two classrooms for 3-5 year olds – The Yellow Room and the Green Room.
The Yellow Room contains the following learning activities:-
Clay & dough Wet sand Dry sand
Painting Design Technology Water
Cooking & Snack Play Office Music
Small World Large Blocks Books
The Green Room contains the following learning activities: -
Home corner Small construction Maths
Drawing & Writing Books Computer
Listening area
The outside play area offers various learning activities including:-
Physical development Imaginative play Building
Co-operative play Learning about the natural world
Books-mark making
Each classroom is staffed by a team of one teacher and two nursery nurses. In addition there are often classroom assistants, students and trainees and sometimes parents.
When outdoor play is available it is staffed by at least two members of staff unless there are very small numbers of children outside.
Members of staff stay in the same classroom for half a term.
We have a separate room for 2-3year olds and a room for babies.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL
MORAL & SPIRITUAL EDUCATION
As a non-statutory service for three and four year olds, we do not include formal religious education in the nursery curriculum. However, we do consider children’s emotional, social, moral and spiritual development to be of paramount importance. Our policy document sets out our aims in these areas and gives examples of how we work and what is achieved.
We also have a behaviour policy, based on the principles of fostering self-esteem, praising good behaviour and respecting the rights and feelings of others.
The curriculum does not include any sex education. If questions arise about bodily functions or reproduction, they are answered individually, with regard to young children’s level of understanding and the practice and culture of their families.
VISITS & OUTINGS
We like to take the older children on regular outings, on foot, by public transport and by minibus. We feel these outings add an extra dimension to the curriculum and contribute to children’s personal development.
When children are nearing their fourth birthday, we ask parents to give written permission for their children to take part in these outings, explaining how they are organised and supervised.
As a rule no extra financial contribution is requested, the cost being covered by School Fund.
Parents are welcome to come on these outings. We have a Policy on Visits.
BRINGING THINGS FROM HOME
Children sometimes like to bring a new or special toy to school. Could you try to persuade them to leave it at home, as ‘own toys’ can cause problems in nursery and tears if they are lost or broken. Any toys that do arrive will be kept in a safe place until home time.
We do not allow sweets in school and allow crisps only in packed lunches. No peanuts: We have a child in nursery who suffers from peanut anaphylaxis
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL and CHILDREN’S CENTRE
CHILDREN LEARNING ENGLISH
Attending nursery helps children who are learning English as a second language and gives them a good start when they move to Primary School.
In nursery, children hear English all around them – from other children, teachers, in stories and songs… As they play with things that interest them, their teachers talk in English to them about what they are doing and encourage them to use words and simple phrases.
Don’t worry if your child does not speak English for some months after starting nursery. He/she will be listening hard and understanding a lot: this is preparation for talking in the new language.
Nursery staff keep a careful record of each child’s progress in learning English as a second language. To start with we ask you, the parents, how your child speaks your home language – does he/she talk a lot, ask questions, remember things?
At the school and Children’s Centre there are bilingual members of staff who speak Urdu. Bangla, Punjabi, Hinko and Pushto. Some of the time they will use these languages with nursery children to make them feel more at home and help them learn.
Our classroom assistants and Parental Involvement worker are also there to talk with parents and translate when necessary in conversations between parents and teachers.
COMPLAINTS
If you are unhappy about anything at the nursery, please mention it to your child’s teacher or the headteacher as soon as you can. Hopefully, it can be sorted out, but if you are still not happy, then ask for the leaflet outlining Education Bradford’s “Complaints Procedure”.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL
HEALTH
On admission we ask parents to supply relevant information about children’s health, periods of hospitalisation, previous illness, allergies etc.
We do not administer ‘occasional medicines’ eg antibiotics, cough medicines in school.
For children under 3 or attending extended provision we have a separate policy on Medication
We will keep and administer when necessary, medication and treatment for long-term conditions such as asthma and peanut anaphylaxis. In these cases a written agreement will be drawn up with the parents and appropriate staff training arranged.
If a child is away ill we like to be informed.
Please do not bring your child to school if they are unwell. Cuts or sores need to be covered with a plaster or dressing.
The Oral Health Team visits nursery annually to give advice to parents.
ACCIDENTS
Any accident more serious than a minor fall or graze is recorded in the accident book and the parent informed on arriving to collect the child. We have a qualified first-aider in school. Wounds are washed and a plaster applied when necessary. Bumps are treated with a cold compress or ice pack.
In the very rare event of an accident requiring hospital treatment, we do everything we can to contact parents so that they can accompany the child. If this proves impossible, a member of staff will go to hospital with the child while colleagues continue to try to contact parents.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
We have a comprehensive Health & Safety Policy which follows Bradford LEA’s guidelines. It covers security,Risk assessments, accidents and protection ofchildren and staff. Please ask to see a copy.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL & CHILDREN’S CENTRE
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are most welcome to spend time in the nursery, playing with their own child, watching what goes on or working with a small group of children.
Parents and younger brothers and sisters are invited to share our parties at Eid, Christmas and Diwali.
From time to time we ask for parents’ help with jobs in the nursery such as painting and woodwork.
We value any special skills such as music, art or cookery which parents may be able to share with children and staff.
Room.
A Toddler Group meets on a Monday afternoon in the Creche Room from 1.15pm– 3.00 p.m.
We have occasional fundraising events at which we value parents’ help and support e.g. Book Fairs, Bring & Buys, Plant Sales.
The Early Start Project runs from our school. If you have a child under 3 we would be happy to visit you at home. Please ask for details.
Training and Courses
We offer a range of courses and training for parents such as computer skills and parenting classes .
An English class for women learning English as a second language is held in school twice a week. Please speak to Rahima Ali our Parental Involvement worker for more information.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL
STAYING FOR DINNER
The Full Time children continue to play and help tidy up until 11.25 a.m. They then sit down in two groups for singing and take turns to go to the toilet and wash their hands.
We eat lunch in the Multi Purpose room. The dinners are made on the premises and are served in ‘family groups’, with a member of staff sitting with six children.
Different diets are catered for eg Halal, vegetarian. We think it is a good experience for children to try the food on offer. In special circumstances they can bring a packed lunch.
Dinner money is £5.75 per week, payable at the nursery Office. If you are on Income Support you can apply for Free School Meals by going to the Benefits Office at Carlisle Road or Britannia House.
After Dinner, at about 12.20 p.m. the children go outside supervised by our Senior Lunchtime Supervisor, a member of the teaching staff and a third person. On wet or very cold days, they play in the classrooms.
They have a group session between 12.50 p.m. – 1.15 p.m. and then the afternoon session starts.
MILK & SNACK
School milk is free for nursery children and is available every day. Water is available as an alternative.
We offer children a small snack of fruit, biscuit, or other food, which they help to prepare themselves. All food used in the nursery is free of animal products and peanuts.
SCHOOL FUND
To pay for snack and other expenses such as parties and outings, we ask parents for a weekly contribution to School Fund of 30p for part-timers and 75p for full-timers.
MIDLAND ROAD NURSERY SCHOOL & CHILDREN’S CENTRE
TRANSFER TO PRIMARY SCHOOL
You will need to contact the Primary schools of your choice and fill in an admission form. It is best to do this as early as possible. Also you will be asked to fill in a school choice form in the Autumn Term of the year before your child goes to Primary School,
We have regular contact with most local Primary Schools and take leavers to visit when possible. Otherwise most Primary Schools will have visiting arrangements pre admission. A booklet detailing all Bradford Schools is available from the office.
LIBRARY
Children can take a library book home each week. Library is open on Tuesday 9.00 – 9.30 a.m. and 1.15 – 1.20 p.m. Please look after the books and keep them in the special bags when you are not looking at the book with your child.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We have a commitment to a policy of equality of opportunity at our school including equal access to education, regardless of race, gender, cultural or religious beliefs or disability.
We monitor children’s progress to ensure that no child is disadvantaged by any aspect of classroom management, provision of materials or ways of assessing and recording children’s development. Please help us in our endeavours by encouraging your child to respect and value all the other children and adults they may meet in school.
Please see our Equal Opportunities Policy for more information.
