Skylarks – 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 our children and demand excellence from themselves. They are sensitive and thoughtful practitioners who promote independence, resilience and a positive selfimage 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 Skylarks?
• A calendar which details menus and upcoming events.
We pride ourselves on the high standards of care we provide for our children. In Skylarks we have a adult to child ratio of 1:8 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. Staff ensure children’s independence and self-care are promoted as they enter their final year before school.
• 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 Skylarks? 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. Key Persons work closely with their children to monitor and promote their development. In addition, each child spends time each week with our Teachers, Mr Garlick and Mrs Fryer, doing specific work on Literacy and Numeracy. 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 relationships with other children and adults and establishing their sense of self, their preferences and confidence in their own abilities. Communication and Language: Throughout Skylarks, the staff encourage the children to develop their communication skills by providing a language rich environment, asking sensitive questions that invites children to elaborate and become comfortable using a range of vocabulary in a variety of contexts. Physical Development: During the children’s time in Skylarks, the children are given many opportunities to expand on their physical skills, both gross and fine motor control is encouraged through planned activities and weekly P.E and swimming sessions during term time. Specific areas Literacy: In order to foster a lifelong love of reading, Skylarks staff build on their language comprehension and the beginnings of skilled word reading and writing. This is developed by the adults in the room using planned activities, in play 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. • Practise their verbal and physical skills as appropriate for their stage of development. • Develop the use of their senses through different types of exploratory play. 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.
interaction with the written word and specialist phonics sessions throughout the week. Mathematics: Our Skylarks room will continue to develop the interest in numbers which is necessary to excel mathematically. Alongside specialist numeracy sessions throughout the week, the staff achieve this by encouraging positive attitudes, guiding children to look for patterns and building the vocabulary of mathematics on which mastery is built. Understanding the World: Within this area of learning, our Skylarks’ children are encouraged to broaden their understanding of the world around them both culturally and ecologically. This is achieved by the staff modelling positive attitudes about the similarities and differences of everyone in the child’s community. Expressive Arts and Design: The Skylarks’ staff provide the children with a variety of learning opportunities which enable the children to express their idea and feelings in an artistic manner. The Skylarks’ children are encouraged to explore media and materials collaboratively and utilize their imagination to create role play scenarios with their peers.
What are the daily routines in Skylarks? 7.30-8.45
Arrivals, breakfast and free play
8.45-10.30
elf registration and free play, S key group sessions, snack time
10.30-11.30 Free play inside and outdoors and small teaching groups 11.30-12.30
Lunchtime
12.30-2.30 Free play, home time for mornings only children, key group sessions 2.30-4.30 Home time for 3.30 children, free play inside and outdoors 4.30-5.00 Tea in dining room and free play 5.00-6.00
Late room in Skylarks
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 Skylarks staff team look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure your child has a happy and stimulating time with us.