Nursery Policy

ABOUT THE NURSERY

Nursery Staff

Our teacher is called Mrs Leitch.

Our nursery assistants are called Mrs Glasgow, Mrs Ferguson and Mrs Forsythe.

Mrs Leitch (Nursery Teacher)

Mrs Glasgow (Nursery Assistant)

Mrs Ferguson (Nursery Assistant)

Mrs Forsythe (Nursery Assistant)

ETHOS

The welcoming ethos at Moneymore Nursery is achieved through good relationships between staff, parents, pupils and the local community. We continually strive to maintain this friendly and caring reputation.

Parents are very welcome in the nursery classroom when leaving and collecting their children so that good relationships can be formed between the teacher, parents and children.

Parents are encouraged to get involved in nursery life and to share in their child's learning journey!!

Nursery Day

Monday - Friday

8.45 - 9.00am - Flexible Drop-off

9.00 - 9.20am - Together Time and Social Snack

9.20 - 10.30am - Indoor Play

10.30 - 10.50am - Together Time (story time/group activity)

10.50 - 11.50am - Outdoor Play

11.50 - 12.00 noon - Washing hands

12.00 - 12.40pm - Dinnertime

12.40 - 1.00pm - Music and Rhyme Time

12.50 - 1.00pm -Goodbyes

1.00pm - Hometime

Sharing from the Start

The nursery encourages respect and good relations from the early years. We currently are taking part in the project ‘Sharing from the Start’. This project involves children in the early years taking part in Shared Education programmes improving educational outcomes and good relations. Through this project the children will form partnerships to undertake Shared Education activities aimed at improving community cohesion, inclusion, diversity and educational outcomes for young children. The project involves bringing children from different pre-school settings and different community backgrounds together for regular joint sessions during the year. Our partner school is Lissan Playgroup. Throughout the year the children enjoy opportunities to partake in activities at both pre-school settings, community settings, whilst on trips and with visitors.

Parent Involvement

Parents/carers are welcomed at the start and close of each nursery session. Parents are informed monthly regarding monthly events, learning experiences and songs through ‘Moneymore Nursery News Sheet’, ‘Parent Information Board’ and ‘Moneymore Nursery Song Sheet’. Parents are encouraged to contribute to their child’s learning and extend their learning further at home through ‘Home Learning Links’.

They are also encouraged to enrich the learning experiences for the children by:

• Talking about a job

• Bathing a new baby

• Reading a story

• Bringing in an animal/pet

• Sharing an interest/hobby

• Joining in with art work shops

• Enjoying and taking part in small scale nursery performances

• Availing of parental consultations

• Contributing to fundraising nursery events

We aim to:

* Provide a happy, safe, secure and stimulating learning environment;

* Value and build on what the child learns at home and include parents in their child’s learning;

*Develop every child’s self-confidence and ability to express ideas and feelings clearly;

*Encourage independence and allow children to learn by doing things for themselves;

* Promote good habits of health and hygiene;

* Develop children’s interest in the environment and surroundings of Moneymore;

* Provide equity of opportunity for each child to engage with the curriculum at his or her own level;

* Encourage children to develop respect for themselves and others;

*Encourage children to develop and improve social skills and good manners.

*Help each child reach for their potential through engagement with staff in a language-rich environment.

Getting Ready to Learn

We are currently taking part in the project ‘Getting Ready to Learn’. The Getting Ready to Learn project seeks to support pre-school settings to encourage and develop parental involvement in children's early learning, to ensure maximum parental contribution at a crucial time in children's early brain development. It is focused on improving outcomes for children in pre-school by engaging and empowering parents to help them create and sustain positive home learning environments. We are participating in three key themes to support parents.

Education Works in Pre-School

Aims:

• To provide information on the Pre-School Curriculum

• To enrich understanding of how children learn through play

• To advise parents/carers of ways to support children’s learning through play at home

What it will look like in Nursery:

• Parent workshops

• Stay and Play sessions

• Adventure bags provided for home use

Big Bedtime Read

Aims:

• To explore the importance of reading to young children

• To share ideas about how to enjoy a book with your child

• To provide resources to support bedtime reading and good bedtime routines!

What it will look like in Nursery:

• Big Bedtime Read Pyjama Party for children and parents

• Book Bags

Happy Healthy Kids

Aims:

• To explore the benefits of exercise for pre-school children

• To share how experiences in pre-school support physical development

• To support parents to increase children’s physical activity and to reduce screen time at home

What it will look like in Nursery:

• Parent Information Session

• Play Packs for home lending

• Stay & Play Sessions

• Celebration Sports Day