Robins – A Parents’ Guide
www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk Our philosophy
How do we communicate?
We work in partnership with parents to ensure every child is happy, contented and feels safe and secure in our setting. We provide a nurturing environment where every child’s curiosity is fostered. We encourage children to develop confidence, to think critically, and to persevere, through challenging and playful opportunities. We employ staff who love working with children and demand excellence from themselves. They are sensitive and thoughtful practitioners who promote independence, resilience and a positive self image in each child.
At Hazelwood Nursery we use “Famly” which is a platform that enables us to communicate easily with you. As a parent, you will receive an individual log-in which will allow you to access the Famly app via your mobile or online.
How will my child be cared for in Robins?
• A calendar which details menus and upcoming events.
We pride ourselves on the high standards of care we provide for our children. In Robins we have an adult to child ratio of 1:4 and every child has both a primary and secondary Keyperson. The Keyperson takes responsibility for the child’s personal care, liaises with parents and monitors developmental progress by completing a Learning Journey. Nappy changing (as appropriate), sleep arrangements and potty training are planned to suit each individual child, in close consultation with parents.
• Invoices.
What is a Learning Journey? A Learning Journey is a document showing each child’s developmental progress, mainly through written observations and photographs. This document is kept electronically and will be shared with parents at regular intervals.
Famly enables us to share photos, videos, observations and reminders to individuals or whole classes. You will have access to: • A news feed which will allow the room to provide regular updates before, during and after your child’s session. • Your child’s Learning Journey.
• Accident forms.
How do children learn in Robins? All children’s learning at the Nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance (EYFS) which is the statutory play based curriculum guiding the learning, development and care for children from birth to 5 years of age. The EYFS covers seven areas of learning, three Prime and four Specific. Observations of the children are used at weekly planning meetings to help devise a programme of fun and stimulating activities relevant to each child’s development and interests. The learning areas are as follows:
NB More detailed information on our curriculum will be provided at our EYFS information meeting which will be held in September.
www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk Prime areas Personal Social Emotional Development: This area is focused on the children’s bond with their Keyperson and building their confidence in a new environment as well as building friendships with their peers and enabling children to begin regulating their emotional responses. Communication and Language: Throughout Robins, the staff encourage the children to develop their communication skills by providing a language rich environment, reading stories, engaging in role play and modelling new words in order to build the children’s vocabulary. Physical Development: During the children’s time in Robins, they are given many opportunities to expand on their growing physical skills, both gross and fine motor control is encouraged through planned activities and a weekly P.E session. Specific areas Literacy: In order to foster a lifelong love of reading, the Robin’s staff build on the children’s language comprehension. This is developed by Each day, the children are given frequent opportunities to: • Play throughout the day with a range of exciting resources both indoors and outdoors using their adjoining outside areas. • Socialise and build relationships with other children and staff in small and large groups.
the adults in the room talking with the children about the world around them, reading stories and enjoying rhymes and songs together. Mathematics: Our Robin’s rooms will help the children to develop the strong grounding in numbers that is necessary to excel mathematically. The staff achieve this by providing activities and resources along with using mathematical language to build on the children’s knowledge and inspire an interest in number and space. Understanding the World: Within this area of learning, our Robin’s children are encouraged to use their senses to explore and begin to make sense of the world around them as well as guiding children to foster their understanding of diverse communities. Expressive Arts and Design: The Robin’s staff provide the children with a variety of different play and learning opportunities in order to express their ideas and feelings through a variety of media as well as through pretend play and the development of their imagination.
What are the daily routines in Robins? 7.30-8.45
Arrivals, breakfast and free play
8.45-10.30 Self registration and free play, key group sessions, Snack time 10.30-11.30 Free play inside and outdoors
• Practise their verbal and physical skills as appropriate for their stage of development.
11.30-12.30 Circle time with stories and songs, lunchtime
• Develop the use of their senses through different types of exploratory play.
12.30-2.30 Sleep/quiet time, free play, inside and outdoors
Further information regarding: Staffing, Policies, Term dates, Menus, Wrap around care alongside any other information relating to the 2016 Consumer Act is available on our website www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk.
2.30-4.00 Rolling snack time, key group sessions and free play 4.00-5.00
Tea, story and quiet time
5.00-6.00 Remaining children transfer to Lower Robins for Late room
The Hazelwood Promise At Hazelwood School we promise: to inspire all pupils with the ambition to achieve their highest academic standards. to nurture and support all pupils on a journey of self development, providing excellent care and guidance whilst encouraging independence, inner confidence and mutual respect. to offer the opportunity for all to be inspired with passion and determination and to participate fully in the wider life of the school. to ensure pupils have an understanding of their place in the local and global community. to employ staff who love working with children and who demand excellence from themselves and their pupils, acting as dynamic and inspirational role models. to work in partnership with our parents to ensure that every child’s time at Hazelwood is happy and enriching, preparing them fully for the life they choose.
The Robins staff team look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child has a happy and stimulating time with us.