1. St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School

2. Welcome to Nursery We hope that you will find the following information useful. This booklet is designed to answer some of the questions you may have about your child starting school Nursery. Here at St Wilfrid’s we want the time your child spends in Nursery to be happy, enjoyable and productive.

3. General Information Our contact details are: St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School St Wilfrid’s Street Hulme Manchester M15 5BJ Telephone: School Website: Head Teacher: Mr R Moloney LLB Deputy Head Teacher/Early Years Lead: Mrs Hudson Chair of Governors: Mr P Canning

4. Staff Class Teacher Mrs Solomon Teaching Assistant Mrs Cookson You know your child best. If there is anything that you are worried about please come and talk to us. The easiest time is at the end of the school day. If you wish to discuss an issue in more detail please make an appointment with Mrs Solomon. If you need to discuss wider family issues then we have our parent support advisor, Mrs Pickering, who you may also make an appointment with. Phone calls to the School Office are most welcome, where Miss Wilding will offer her assistance, or will arrange an appointment with members of staff if requested.

5. Our Mission
Our school is a Catholic Christian environment inspired by, and rooted in, the values of the Gospel, where everyone is encouraged to grow in faith and moral responsibility. Our school strives to be a place where everyone, through hard work and service to others, can reach their full potential and be formed for their eternal destiny.  Our Ethos As a Catholic school we aim to develop the full potential of each unique individual in the light of the teaching of Christ and the Gospels. To provide effective, professional teaching within a loving Catholic Christian environment; and to use praise, encouragement and forgiveness as motivating factors in our school life. To provide a safe and healthy environment for children and adults.

6. Parents as Partners We recognise the importance of parents and carers in a child’s developing stages. As a primary care provider you are your child’s first educators and we greatly value any input, opinions and information you can share with us about your child’s learning and progress. We know that if we work together it will help your child to do the best that he/she can. We provide many other opportunities for parents and carers to take an active part in their child’s education. These include: Assemblies and plays Open day events where parents are welcomed to join in with our sessions e.g Maths Day Educational Visits where parent-helpers are invited Sport Events Class web pages updated regularly with news, topic webs and plans Most importantly, our family ethos is central to our school and as such, we operate an `Open-Door Policy’ where parents are actively encouraged to meet with staff to discuss any concerns at the earliest opportunity. Teachers are usually available at 8.50 am (for urgent concerns) or 3.00pm to answer any questions.

7. Celebration Assemblies Every Monday at 10
Celebration Assemblies Every Monday at 10.45, we enjoy a celebration assembly. The Nursery teachers choose 1 child to receive a certificate for super effort. Other achievements are also celebrated, including school sports teams who have done well in competitions, children who have got swimming certificates or dance badges or music awards etc We also celebrate birthdays in Celebration Assembly, which means your child will stand up in assembly and will be sung Happy Birthday, alongside the other children who have had a birthday that week throughout the school.

8. Morning Procedures Collecting your child
Children are to come to the Nursery classroom door. When the second bell rings at 8.55am, your child will come into school.
Collecting your child
At the end of the school day you collect your child from the classroom door. It is vital that you inform us if someone different is collecting your child.

9. Milk and Fruit School Dinners Water
Children are offered a piece of fresh fruit as their snack and a carton of milk if they wish.
Every child under the age of 5 qualifies for free school milk.
Water
Throughout the day, children are encouraged to drink water. Each child is provided with a water bottle of their own which is kept in the classroom.
School Dinners
Your child has a choice of hot dinners or packed lunches. Please clearly label your child’s name on the outside of the lunchbox.
Mrs Wilson prepares hot meals for us every day in our school kitchen. A copy of the menu is displayed on the parents’ notice board.
Children with special dietary requirements are catered for, however this must be put in writing so the kitchen have it in their records.
School dinner payments should be given to the office each Monday in advance. Payment can be made by cash or cheque. No credit is provided. If you think you are entitled to free school meals, please contact the school office and you will be provided with the relevant form.

10. Attendance and Sickness We expect every child to be present in school and on time everyday. Illness can’t be helped; if your child is ill or has a doctor/dentist appointment please let the office know by 9.30am. Holidays cannot be taken in term time. Any such absence would be unauthorised and you may be issued with a Penalty Notice of £60.00 rising to £ per child, per parent. Your child may also be at risk of losing their Nursery place. We ask, if possible, to make dental and medical appointments outside of school hours. The school’s attendance policy can be seen on the school website (

11. School Uniform Please label all personal belongings School uniform can be purchased in the School Office
Boys  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers
School polo shirt (red)   
School sweatshirt 
School fleece (optional)
Boys  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers
School polo shirt (red)   
School sweatshirt 
School fleece (optional)
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Girls  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers / skirt
School polo shirt (red)   
School sweatshirt 
School fleece (optional)
Boys  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers
Boys  Summer       
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers / shorts
School polo shirt (red)   
School sweatshirt 
School fleece (optional)
Boys  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers
Girls  Summer       
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers / shorts
School polo shirt (red) Or Red and white checked dresses
School sweatshirt 
School fleece (optional)
Boys  Winter        
Dark shoes (black or dark brown) - not trainers
Dark grey, or black trousers
School polo shirt (red)   
School book bags are £2.50 and are available at the office.

12. RE
St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School is a place where the Spirit of Christ lives. All children are welcomed and each one nurtured in a union of support between school and parish so each may reach their full potential. We celebrate the uniqueness of the individual and believe each child is created in the image and likeness of God.
As a Catholic school we explore and celebrate the Creation and God’s love in all lessons throughout your child’s time at school.
Caritas in Action and The Way the Truth and the Life schemes are implemented from Nursery through to Year 6. Each year is split into 6 topics, one per
half term and is organised to coincide with major events in the
liturgical year. Each year group studies a different topic.

13. Helping Prepare your Child for School
Here in Nursery we go to great lengths to help your child be prepared for their next stage of learning; as well as developing the confidence and skills to be an independent learner. Our class motto is:
Teach me to do it myself!
In preparation for school, here are some things you can do with your child to help them develop the basic skills on the road towards their Early Learning Goals
Number Skills
Count daily with your child
Count objects, actions, numbers and a range of things.
Identify numbers wherever you go—a neighbour’s house number or the number on a bus.
Help children putting numbers in order.
Let children help with the tidying and sorting. Can they sort the DVDs by colour?
Identify shapes around the home.
Use fingers to represent a number.

14. Speaking
Speak clearly and confidently
Model using the right words and set an example
Speak in full sentences
Use clear, simple directions for tasks and behaviours
Engage in discussions with your child and allow them the time to speak without being interrupted
Ask for their opinions
Tell them about your day and ask about theirs
Listening
Show your child how to be a good listener by listening to them and others
Be patient—don’t interrupt or finish their sentences for them
Give them your full attention when they are speaking, showing them eye contact and good body language
Respond to what they are saying by asking questions or ask about their opinions
Listen to your child reading and re-telling a story

15. Writing
Encourage your child to mark make without feeling pressured.
Use everyday materials such as flour in a baking tray and make marks such as lines, circles, zigzags and to form letters within their name.
Behaviour
Agree clear and realistic rules and stick to them.
Give your child boundaries so they know what is expected of them.
Encourage your child to always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ . If your child’s behaviour is proving difficult we can work on a home-school reward system together.
Organisation
Children like routine—so set regular times for bed and getting up
Primary children 10 hours sleep a night
Limit your child’s time watching TV and using other electronic items, to aid their readiness for sleep
Check your child has their name in every-thing before they bring it to school, this helps them to organise themselves

16. Learning in the Foundation stage
Nursery children learn together in an environment which is developed around the children’s interests. We pride ourselves on being an exciting and engaging place to be - encouraging our children to be independent learners through a range of practical activities. We follow a thematic curriculum which allows us to be creative with our lessons and let the children lead their own learning.
As our Nursery children enter the classroom they learn primarily through a variety of play and real-life experiences. Our teaching is delivered through carefully planned tasks and guided key activities. The children access their environment freely; however they understand they must complete 'key activities' throughout the week which will scaffold and extend their learning. Their development is tracked through detailed, daily observations and child-initiated interaction. This information is then transferred into your child's personal learning journey - a diary of information and photographs. We use these to record individual interests, progress and plan the next steps of your child's learning.

17. The EYFS Curriculum
In Nursery, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS). This curriculum is based upon four themes and principles.
The Unique Child - We understand that every child is an individual child who is capable in their own right. The holistic child has a variety of needs that need meeting over their time in the Foundation Stage.
Positive Relationships - Social interaction is key to children’s development. Children become strong, independent learners; as well as scaffolding their learning through positive social interaction.
Enabling Environments - Providing a safe, secure and stimulating base for your children is key to their development. The framework allows for experiences that respond to the child’s individual needs/interests; as well as developing a strong partnership between practitioners, parents and carers.
Learning and Development - Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

18. Early Learning Goals
Within `Development Matters’ there are 3 prime areas of learning and 4 specific areas. This framework provides the basis of how we structure the setting, the activities and opportunities we provide; as well as how we assess your child’s development.
Prime Areas
Communication and language
Personal, social and emotional development
Physical development
Specific Areas
Literacy
Problem solving, numeracy and reasoning
Understanding the World
Expressive arts and design
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Playing and exploring
Active learning
Creating and thinking critically

19. Things to bring to school
Spare clothes—just in case we get wet in water play or have an accident.
Label all items.
Wellies—we play outside in all weathers!
Suitable coats—nothing too special as it is likely to get sandy, muddy or wet.
Hats, scarves and gloves.
Sun hats and sun cream - We ask that sun cream is applied before the children get to school so that they are ready for the day.
Home diary—with recent updates from home, trips, holidays or special days that we can share.