1. Harrison Nursery School Parents’ Information Evening Wednesday 25 th August 2010

2.  About Harrison Nursery School …  Curriculum – children learn through play …  Settling in  Expectations  Other information

3. The Nursery Curriculum  Personal, social & emotional development Sharing, independence, getting along with others, confidence … Sharing, independence, getting along with others, confidence …  Physical development Outdoors – running, climbing, jumping Outdoors – running, climbing, jumping Fine motor – using scissors, pencil control, woodwork, threading … Fine motor – using scissors, pencil control, woodwork, threading …  Language development New vocabulary, using sentences, talking, listening, stories, rhymes, singing … New vocabulary, using sentences, talking, listening, stories, rhymes, singing …

4.  Creative & aesthetic development Artwork, music, dance, movement … Artwork, music, dance, movement …  Early mathematical development Shape awareness, counting, matching, jigsaws … Shape awareness, counting, matching, jigsaws …  The World around us Gardening, seasons, nature, baking, science and technology … Gardening, seasons, nature, baking, science and technology …

5. What we want children to BE at the end of their year in nursery school is more important than what we want them to know.

6. We want them to be - o HAPPY o INDEPENDENT o CONFIDENT o SOCIALLY COMPETENT o COMMUNICATIVE o THINKERS

7. Settling in It is the policy of Harrison Nursery School that all children will have the opportunity to settle in at their own pace and with adequate support from parents and staff. Each child has a day and a time on which to start – this helps to ensure that your child’s teacher is available to spend time with you and your child.

8. What you can do now …  Tell your child what to expect from school but don’t oversell it!  Be realistic  Be positive  Make sure you read all the information provided, also available on our website www.harrisonnurseryschool.co.uk

9. The night before …  Make sure you have your child’s school clothes and bag all ready the night before, involve your child with this  Make sure all clothes are clearly labelled, shoes included

10. Settling in Don’t worry if your child doesn’t settle on the first day, you are not alone Feel free to talk to your child’s teacher or ring at any time during these early days if you are concerned about your child or simply require reassurance that everything is alright.

11. What if your child is upset when you leave …  Children vary in their emotional reaction to the changes taking place and in the length of time they take to settle  Common reactions – Walking in without a backward glance and not even looking back Walking in without a backward glance and not even looking back Walking in without a backward glance for the first few weeks and then showing signs of anxiety Walking in without a backward glance for the first few weeks and then showing signs of anxiety Protesting loudly on separation but becoming settled within a few minutes Protesting loudly on separation but becoming settled within a few minutes Unsettled on and off throughout the first few weeks but gradually improving throughout the year Unsettled on and off throughout the first few weeks but gradually improving throughout the year All these reactions can be difficult for you to deal with but it is important to remain calm and consistent.

12. DO NOT DISCUSS YOUR WORRIES OR CONCERNS IN FRONT OF YOUR CHILD AN ANXIOUS PARENT CAN LEAD TO AN ANXIOUS CHILD

13. Saying goodbye  Smile and reassure your child that you are coming back later  Hand him or her over to a member of staff (if necessary) and WALK AWAY  Phone if you are worried  If we need you we will contact you

14. More tears …  It is not uncommon for a child to begin to cry at home time. Do not over investigate this, talk to your child when they are home and they have had a rest and a snack  Most likely they are just over tired – they will be as they adjust to school  Do not interrogate them about their day at school!

15. Hometime First day – stay for 1 hour (10am – 11am) September – 12noon October – 12.30pm (dinners commence Monday 4 th October) After Hallowe’en – 1.15/1.30pm

16. Dropping off and collecting your child  PLEASE BE ON TIME!  DO NOT BE LATE – it is particularly important during the first few weeks that you are there to collect your child on time  If you know you are going to be late please phone and let us know  Please share this message with all the people who will be collecting your child

17. What to do if your child doesn’t like school …  Don’t panic or get impatient  Gently try to find out why, something may have happened in the playground the day before etc.  Don’t try and scare your child about his/her teacher or the Principal e.g. ‘If you are badly behaved you will be sent to the Principal’s office!’  Friendships – they often change friendships about 500 times during the first year!  If you are still worried – talk to us

18. Expectations We have expectations of the children and we support them in achieving these. We expect children to – o Share equipment when appropriate o Tidy up after themselves o Abide by our rules e.g. no running inside, no hitting, no taking toys from someone else o Take some responsibility e.g. cleaning up their own mess at the art table o Choose activities sensibly – use their initiative o Exercise a degree of self-discipline o LISTEN

19. Expectations We aim for independent learning supported and enhanced by appropriate adult intervention

20. Parents We expect parents to – o Read all communications e.g. news sheets, curriculum information, songs & rhymes sheets o Read notices in the hall about the curriculum, events, achievements, holidays, etc. o Keep children at home if they are sick o Bring children to school on time & collect promptly o Inform us of upsets or changes at home especially if they might affect your child’s performance or behaviour at school o Maintain communication o Please do not park in the staff car park!

21. What you can expect of us o Care o Create a secure, safe & stimulating environment o Provide a wide range of experiences o Meet your child’s educational and personal needs o Assess & monitor progress o Inform you of achievements & problems

22. Other points to note o Library – books for parents & children o Contributions from home – junk, buttons, wool, material, etc. o Labelling property – especially uniform and shoes! o Volunteers – complete criminal record check form and return to school o Parents Support Group – first meeting on Thursday 9 th September at 7pm in school o Dinner money & snack – please note changes

23. Other points to note o Change of clothing o Dinners – please allow your child time to settle into the dinner routine o Birthday cakes – please mention to your child’s teacher a few days before o Coming into and leaving school – please ensure your child is holding your hand o Website – www.harrisonnurseryschool.co.uk www.harrisonnurseryschool.co.uk

24. MANY THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, INTEREST AND SUPPORT