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4 year olds - children born on or between 1
March 2004 - 28 February 2005 are eligible for a funded place from
August 2008.
3 year olds - those born on or between 1
March 2005 - 31 August 2005 will be eligible for a funded place from
August 2008.
- those born on or between 1 September 2005 - 31 December 2005 will be
eligible for a funded place from January 2009.
- those born on or between 1 January 2006 - 28 February 2006 will be
eligible for a funded place from April 2009.
We hope
that your child will enjoy his/her time at school during
their nursery years.
Your
child is at a very crucial stage in his/her development. Research has
shown that children learn more rapidly in the first seven years of
life
than at any other time. Therefore, it is important that the children are
given every opportunity to fulfil their potential.
As a
parent you play a vitally important part in this process. At nursery, we
hope to play our part by treating your son/daughter as an individual
and
offering him/her a variety of experiences and activities which are
designed to further the development process.
We
hope that your child finds out that learning is an enjoyable and
worthwhile process.
This
handbook is intended to give you some basic information about our
nursery provision. We also have a range of written policies which are
available on request. Do feel free to contact us if you wish to know more
or to arrange a visit.
How to Get
in Touch with Us
We
welcome meetings with parents or enquiries about the Nursery at any time.
Please contact us at:
Duncan
Forbes Primary School, Keppoch Road, Culloden, Inverness, IV2 7NY
Tel:
01463 791897
Duncan Forbes Nursery Aims
Nursery
education is about the development of the individual child.
“We
want our Nursery children to develop the skills they need to become
thinking, caring and responsible members of society.”
At Duncan
Forbes Nursery we aim to:
be
welcoming and supportive to children and adults
provide a safe and stimulating environment in which children feel happy and
secure
respect and involve parents in the education of their child
facilitate staff development as part of an ethos of Continuous Professional
Development
implement Scottish Curriculum Framework 3-5 and Care Commission Standards
that:
o
encourage positive attitudes to self and others and developing confidence
and self esteem
o
extend the child’s abilities to communicate ideas and feelings in a variety
of ways
o
encourage the children to explore, appreciate and respect their environment
o
provide opportunities to stimulate interest and imagination
developing children’s physical skills
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The
Nursery Staff
Our
staff works very much as a team, planning the best provision for each child
and working together to create a supportive and stimulating environment for
all.
We
are here to help so please do not hesitate to come and speak to us at any
time.
Our
Nursery team is:
Mrs
Lorna MacGregor, Nursery Co-ordinator Teacher
Miss
Vicki Catto, Nursery Assistant
Mrs
Pam Austin , Nursery Auxiliary
Mrs
Rosemary Campbell, Support for Learning Teacher
Mrs
Elaine Stewart, Head Teacher
We
also liaise closely with our area health visitor Mrs Shona Davidson
In order to
safeguard your child, please let us know in advance, if someone else will be
bringing or collecting your child.
Uniform
All
children should have a suitable pair of indoor shoes in the Nursery. It
would be appreciated by all staff if the shoes were easy to get on and off.
Please make sure that all children’s clothes and shoes are clearly marked
with their name.
 The Nursery does have their own sweatshirt in emerald
green with the school logo on it. This can be purchased from the National
Schoolwear Shop in
Academy
Street, Inverness. These are reasonably priced and protect the children’s
normal clothes from paint and glue etc.
Illness and Attendance
You
will have enrolled your child for a set number of sessions each week.
Regular attendance will ensure your child benefits from these carefully
planned sessions.
In
the unlikely event of your child becoming ill or having an accident while
attending Nursery, we will contact you by telephone. If there is no reply
we will get in touch with your emergency contact. Parents are asked to
complete an emergency contact form before nursery starts. It is vitally
important that you notify the school office of any changes.
If
your child is unwell before Nursery starts it really is better that they
stay at home with you. You are the person they will want to be with if they
feel under the weather. Updated guidance from the Highland Council,
concerning the prevention of infection, states that if a child has sickness
or diarrhoea they should be kept at home for 48 hours after the bout of
illness. Please let us know if your child cannot attend and when your child
returns please let us know the reason for their absence.
Should your child need to take medication while at Nursery, please speak to
the Head Teacher so that a care plan may be established.
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Early
Closure
 Should the Nursery unexpectedly close early you will
be contacted by telephone. If there is no reply we will contact your
emergency contact. In the event of very bad weather the safety of the
children must be the first consideration. The decision as to whether or not
your child comes to Nursery or not remains with you as their parent. Please
listen to BBC Radio Highland or Moray Firth Radio both of which issue
bulletins on school closures in the event of bad weather.
For
latest information contact the school telephone messaging service:
0870 054
6999 04 1940
Details of what to do in the event of bad weather will be issued later in
the year.
Visits
We
believe that taking the children out on a variety of visits is an important
aspect of their Nursery education. The details of any visit will be given
to you in writing. You will be asked to sign a consent form when you enrol
your child.
Promoting Effective Learning
Staff in the Nursery have a vital role to play in supporting children’s
learning. This involves planning, record keeping and assessment. All
children are individuals and will progress at different rates. Staff will
be meeting parents on a daily basis as they bring children to nursery.
Parents may request a more formal interview with the Nursery staff during
the year and may request to see their child’s profile at any point during
the year. Parents are given a copy of the Next Steps report at the end of
their child’s year in Nursery. It will also act as a transition document
and is passed on to Primary One. In any event an interview will be offered
during the third term.
 Nursery
Activities Include:- Sand and water play, woodwork, baking, cooking
playdough, painting, junk modelling, gluing and cutting, jigsaws, tracing,
board games, construction toys ie duplo and lego, imaginative play ie the
home corner, the hospital etc, building blocks.
Snack
The
children will be given a snack each day. Healthy eating is encouraged and
fruit or vegetables are eaten every day. The main purpose of this activity
is to develop the range of social skills associated with eating.
 If
your child is a fussy eater at home you may find that in Nursery he/she will
happily eat what others are eating, especially if he/she has helped to
prepare it. Snack costs 40p per day or £2.00 per week and can be paid
weekly, monthly or termly, whichever is most convenient.
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Allergies
If
your child is allergic to particular foods, please ensure staff have been
informed so that these foods may be avoided.
Promoting Positive Behaviour
When
your child starts Nursery he/she may find it difficult to adapt. Staff will
support your child by encouraging and explaining things. If we have any
concerns about your child’s behaviour we will discuss the way forward with
you.
Parents are always welcome in the Nursery. Please do not hesitate to ask a
member of staff for advice or support.
Photographs
Regular assessment takes place in the Nursery and photographs are often used
as evidence of the learning that is taking place. At the beginning of the
session we will ask you to sign a consent form to allow us to take
photographs of your child. These will be used for display purposes and to
build up a profile of your child’s learning in Nursery. Occasionally,
photographs may also appear in local press.
Data Protection
Any
information you have supplied/any information gathered from or about pupils
will be used only for the purpose for which it was provided and any relevant
procedures following this. This data will be maintained in accordance with
the Data Protection Act and will not be passed on to any other organisation
without your prior approval unless this is a legal requirement.
The Nursery Day
Developing communication skills is very important for young children. We
will encourage your child to co-operate and work with other children and
staff will model good practice for the children to emulate.
 Much of your child’s learning will be through play.
The children will be offered a range of activities each with an underlying
educational purpose. Play allows children to explore a variety of
experiences in a secure environment. Play provides an enjoyable way of
learning and should be seen as a means of teaching and learning rather than
being simply something that children do.
So why play?
Through activity based learning the brain and body are stimulated and
active.
It
provides pleasure and enjoyment which in turn will motivate children to
further their learning by persevering, overcoming difficulties and
concentrating for longer periods of time.
It
helps to build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
It
allows the child to tackle new experiences in a non-threatening situation.
It
can provide an escape, relieve boredom, allow for relaxation and the
opportunity for solitude.
It
helps the child to judge the many variables within social interaction and
develop perceptions about other people.
Skills can be practised and repeated as many times as necessary for
confidence and mastery.
Opportunity
for sensory experiences which are the foundation of intellectual development
are provided.
It
provides reasons children can understand for acquiring the skills and
knowledge that adults value.
Play
creates context for language development.
Child Protection
From
time to time incidents can occur within the school setting which cause
concern and could indicate that a pupil is suffering some form of abuse. In terms of Highland Child Protection Committee Inter-agency Protection
Guidelines, Education Service staff must report such incidents to Social
Work Services which can lead to a joint Social Work/Police investigation.
All agencies involved in Child Protection are obliged to make the welfare of
children their paramount consideration and this will be the priority for
Education Service Staff.
More information about Child Protection Procedures within Highland can be
obtained from the Child Protection Development Officer, Mrs Susan MacLaren, Highland Child
Protection Committee, Kinmylies Building, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NN
– Tel: (01463) 703483
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The
Five Main Areas of Learning
Our
Nursery notice boards illustrate how we encourage development of these areas
of learning with your child. This display changes regularly to help keep
parents up to date with what is taking place in Nursery.
Emotional,
personal and social development
Confidence and self worth
 Making friends and getting on with other children
Learning to look after yourself
Making choices
Knowing who to ask for help
Caring for other people and for your surroundings
Telling others how you feel and what you like best
Communication and language
Improving listening and talking
Learning to enjoy stories and rhymes
Use
information books
Listening and recognising sounds and words
Experimenting with writing
Having fun with words through familiar songs and rhymes
Knowledge
and Understanding of the World
Looking at and noticing things and using the five senses to find things out
People and places in the local area
 Designing and making things – using construction toys
Finding out about materials by playing with them
Finding out about animals and plants
Finding out about number, measurement and shape
Expressive
and Aesthetic Development
Learning to express ideas and feelings through:
Painting, drawing and modelling
Acting out situations – in the house corner
Signing and making music
Movement and dance
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Physical
Development and Movement
Enjoy active play and becoming confident in movement
Energetic activity indoors and outdoors
Develop skills like running, climbing, throwing and catching
Learning to make delicate movements with fingers and hands by doing jigsaws,
fastening zips or using small tools
Becoming aware of the importance of health and fitness
Partnership with Parents and Carers
Whilst we recognise that parents have other commitments we want to reassure
you that we welcome parents as partners in their child’s education. At
several points in the year you will be invited in to the school to share in
your child’s work and progress. However, please speak to a member of the
nursery staff at any time should you have a query or a concern. We value
your opinions and ideas.
We
hope you will feel involved with the work your child is doing in Nursery and
so share learning experiences with him/her. To this end the Nursery teacher
will give you an information sheet home on a regular basis throughout the
session.
We
also display a weekly plan on the Nursery notice board so that you can see
in advance what we are doing in nursery. At the end of every week children
take home their ‘nursery bag’ to share their work with you.
From
time to time nursery have walks out into the local community. We invite
parents to join us, as volunteers, to share these experiences with the
children. We hope you can join us at some point during your child’s time in
Nursery.
In
order to make your child’s transition to Primary 1 as smooth as possible,
Nursery Staff meet with the Primary 1 teacher to exchange information. We
create opportunities for the Nursery children to visit Primary 1 to help
your child take that step more easily in August.
Parents and carers will receive a copy of the Next Steps report as a matter
of course in term four.
How can you help your child?
You
can help your child to learn by playing together at home and encouraging
them:
to
be independent, for example, in getting dressed and washing their hands
before meals
to
share and join in with other children
to
develop healthy habits in diet, exercise and hygiene
by
reading to them every day, talking about books with them and reading
familiar words to them, for example, labels on favourite foods or road signs
by
talking with them, answering questions and playing remembering games and
guessing games like “I spy”
by
helping them to match and sort things, for example, putting together forks
and knives or cups and saucers, pairing up socks, sorting out big tins and
little tins, putting packets in order of size
to
count and use numbers in every day situations and in nursery rhymes
to
listen to music, songs, stories and rhymes
to
express ideas and feeling, for example, using crayons, pens, pencils, paint
music and play
by
giving them the chance to use their fingers and hands for example using
scissors, zips, buttons and helping with baking
Nursery terms and holidays 2007 – 2008
Whether your child attends the morning session or the afternoon session the
amount of time they spend in the Nursery is the same:
Morning Session 9.15 am - 11.45 am
Afternoon Session 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm
The
school year is in keeping with guidelines set down by Highland Council.
Parents are informed, in writing, of holiday dates for the relevant school
year in advance. A copy of these is also posted on the school notice board
in the school entrance. The dates for 2007/08 session are as follows:
School Opens School Closes
Term
1 Tuesday 14 August 2007 Friday 5 October 2007
Term
2 Monday 22 October 2007 Thursday 20 December 2007
Term
3 Monday 7 January 2008 Thursday 20 March 2008
Term
4 Tuesday 8 April 2008 Friday 27 June 2008
Other
holidays and closures for staff training:
2007
Monday 13
August - Staff Training
Monday 26
November - Staff Training
Tuesday 27
November Staff Training
2008
Thursday 7
February - Staff Training
Friday 8
February - Holiday
Monday 11
February - Holiday
Monday 7
April - Staff Training
Monday 5
May - Holiday
A
newsletter is issued on the basis of one per family usually at the beginning
of each month that will inform you of nursery
closure dates for local holidays, mid-term holidays and training days.
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Professional
Support
The
nursery draws on a wide range of other professionals to help support the
children. It may be that you will meet some of them during your time with
us. The professionals mentioned below visit the school regularly and welcome
enquiries from parents. Please contact the Head Teacher, Mrs Stewart, if you
feel your child would benefit from any of the services below.
Mrs
Christine Bunker (Pre-school Children’s Educational Psychologist)
Mrs
C. Vernal (School Nurse)
Dr
S. Watt ( Community Paediatrician))
Mrs
A. Birrell (Speech and Language Therapist)
Mrs
Shona Davidson (Health Visitor)
Mrs
Mary Dawson (Dental Hygienist)
Comments and Complaints Policy
We
do hope your child will both benefit and enjoy his/her time at Duncan Forbes
Nursery. We very much welcome your comments and ideas which could help us
to improve our service. However, we are aware that difficulties can occur
from time to time. In the first instance, we ask you to speak to a member
of staff, either at the beginning or end of a nursery session. If you
prefer, an appointment can be made to speak to the Nursery teacher in
private who will decide with you if the Head Teacher (or Area Education
Manager) should be informed.
Should you feel unable to speak to the Nursery teacher, please make an
appointment to speak directly to the Head Teacher.
In
the unlikely event that the matter is not concluded satisfactorily you may
wish to contact the Care Commission on 01463 227630. “How to use the Care
Commission Complaints Procedure” is displayed on the Nursery notice board.
The Care Commission inspect our Nursery annually and reports are available
on request.
Three
Day Rule for Unexplained Absence of Pupils
Day 1 : First Day of unexplained absence of pupil
The School will endeavour to make contact by telephone to parents, carers or
emergency contacts informing them that the child is absent and requesting a
reason for the absence. If no contact can be made with the parent/carers or
emergency contacts on the first day of absence, this will be noted by the
school. If the family is known to other agencies, because of possible
concerns about his/her wellbeing, then contact will be made to these
agencies.
Day 2 : Second Day of unexplained absence
The school will make vigorous attempts to contact a carer or family member
by telephone, text or e-mail. If no contact can be made on the second day of
absence, this will be noted by the school.
Day 3 : Third day of unexplained absence of pupil
If no contact is established the school will arrange for a representative(s)
to visit the home address. If the child is not found and no satisfactory
explanation is given for absence the police will be notified of the child’s
non attendance.
Steps for Parents
Keep the school up to date with your telephone number(s) and other details
for emergency contacts.
Be responsible for the safety and well-being of your child/children whilst
they are not in school.
Inform the pre-school of any prearranged absence, e.g. attendance at a
hospital appointment or other unavoidable event, prior to the absence taking
place.
Inform the pre-school of your child’s
absence by
9:15 am on the morning of the first day of absence. For afternoon sessions,
inform the school no later than half an hour into the afternoon session.
Respond promptly to contacts from the school.
Provide written confirmation of absence as soon as possible.
Your co-operation to ensure the safety and well-being of your child is
greatly appreciated.
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