Nursery
Our Nursery caters for children from 2 years 9 months.
Our Nursery has had good OFSTED reports and we are registered as part of the Northamptonshire Early Years Plan. This means that our nursery children are entitled to the county grant for five sessions per week per term for six terms beginning with the term after their third birthdays. The amount of the grant varies termly. Children do not have to live in the county to receive the grant.
Click here to view the current OFSTED report
EDUCATIONAL PROVISION IN THE NURSERY
When a child enters school a Foundation Stage Profile is begun which becomes a record of the pupil's development across all areas of learning. Children are helped to make good progress toward and beyond the early learning goals.
Personal and social development is given a strong emphasis. Children are encouraged to do the best that they can and to be pleased when they have done something well. They are encouraged to be independent within a safe environment and to gain confidence in themselves. Good behaviour and thoughtfulness for others are encouraged, as are the conventions of general good manners. Children learn to dress themselves by changing into sports clothes and dressing-up outfits. We have a Nursery-sized toilet and the children learn to use it unaided.
Language and literacy are considered to be most important. Children learn to recognise and to write their own names. Those pupils who are ready are introduced to reading through the Oxford Reading Tree scheme. There are many other books in school at the introductory level and there are displays to foster an interest in books and reading. There is a library which serves the whole school and children are welcome to borrow books from there to share with parents or carers at home. We have a large selection of poetry and verse to help children enjoy the pattern and rhyme aspect of literacy. There is also a good selection of non-fiction books.
All children in the Nursery learn to count to ten and beyond. They are taught to recognise basic regular shapes and to recognise different colours. There is a water tray where they can experiment and play. They use small apparatus for counting and they learn to use a number line. They play counting games and are taught number rhymes. At an appropriate stage children are encouraged to record their work in a manner suitable to their abilities.
There is a computer in the Nursery where children can become familiar with basic operations such as using the mouse and keyboard.
Children's creativity is stimulated by role-play, dressing-up, music and various art media. Examples of children's artwork can be seen on display on the walls. The Nursery children join in with concerts and carol services, which are held for the whole school and they enjoy singing and experimenting with percussion instruments. They learn to use tools such as children's scissors and also are encouraged to do jigsaw puzzles and to use construction toys.
Interest in the natural world is fostered by walks on the field to look at trees and flowers. The children also enjoy bird-watching and listening to bird song. The whole school regularly takes part in 'The Big Schools' Bird Watch', which is run by the R.S.P.B.
The Nursery has the use of all the school P.E. equipment and the gym is used for many games and activities which need more space than the classroom can provide. When the weather is suitable children play on the field. Play equipment is provided for them there. When the weather is not suitable they either play in the playground when the older children are indoors or they are taken into the nursery playroom. The Nursery children enjoy taking part in the school Sports Day.
