Welcome to Nursery
On behalf of all the staff and children at Lingfield Primary School, we would like to welcome you to our great school.
The Early Years Foundation Stage
Starting school is a very exciting time for you and your child. As a team, we will endeavour to make it as special and as enjoyable as possible.
We recognise that parents are a child’s first educator. We know that children come to school with a wide range of varying experiences. We understand the importance of developing a strong partnership with parents, preschool and childminders from the very beginning to ensure a successful transition for all.
Learning in Nursery and Reception is underpinned by the whole school values of Respect, Resilience and Relationships. Children engage in a range of practical learning experiences that encourage them to make friends, talk, ask questions, explore their environment, make connections in their experiences and solve problems. Resources and materials are accessible throughout the day to support children’s individual ideas and interests. Adults observe children’s play to establish continued interests and then, with the children, plan new learning experiences around that interest.
The children have equal access to learning inside and outside. They are encouraged to make their own, independent choices supported and facilitated by all the adults around them. In Reception, all children have the opportunity to play alongside each other in the setting, as we offer a ‘free flow’ system.
During the day, children have regular, adult-led learning sessions. Learning during these sessions usually involves letter and sound recognition (phonics), developing early number concepts and counting, storytelling and shared reading. The aim of these teaching sessions is to introduce new skills, concepts and ideas to the children within a small group context. Children are encouraged to be as involved as possible, sharing their experiences and answering questions. Sessions are matched to children’s individual needs in order to maximise their learning potential.
For any Nursery queries please contact Mrs Robyn Gibb, admissions@lingfield.surrey.sch.uk or call 01342 832626.
Please find below some key information such as a typical nursery day, social story, how to order uniform and other frequently asked questions. We also have a fantastic virtual tour of the school.
ABSENCE AND ILLNESS
Parents must ensure that they contact Mrs Nicki Dervishi (School Attendance Officer) by 9.15am on the first day of absence and every subsequent day their child is absent by emailing absence@lingfield.surrey.sch.uk or calling the school office 01342 832626.
ADMISSIONS PROCESS
Children can join our nursery the term after their third birthday. To apply to our Nursery, please complete a Nursery Admission Form, after their second birthday, and return to the School Office. We have an Autumn (September) and Spring (January) intake and will contact parents/guardians the term before the child is due to start, i.e. March time for a September start. For children starting in September you and your child will be invited to a nursery induction morning to meet with the Nursery Manager, Cathy Woodhouse. This will give your child an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the setting and an opportunity to play with other children in their class.
BREAKFAST AND AFTER SCHOOL FUN CLUB
Our Breakfast and After School Fun Club usually run (except during complete school lockdowns). For further details and to express and interest, please complete and return the Breakfast-Club-Registration-Form-inc-Terms-Conditions-FILLABLE.docx or ASFC-Registration-Form-inc-Terms-Conditions-FILLABLE.docx.
CHANGE OF DETAILS
For any information changes please email info@lingfield.surrey.sch.uk
COOKING
We try and cook once a week with the children so we ask for a voluntary donation of £5 towards ingredients at the start of each term via SIMS Pay, under Fees and Subs.
COOL MILK
School milk is an important part of a child’s diet. Milk provides a number of health benefits. All children who are under 5 years old or are registered as pupil premium are eligible for free milk. If you are not entitled to free milk you can pay for your child to have it at school. Please visit www.coolmilk.com to register your child to receive free milk or wish to pay.
DECLARATION
Each term you will be required to complete and sign a Declaration Form so that we can receive funding for your child’s nursery place. If your child is attending more than 15 hours, you will also need to complete a 30 hour declaration form as well.
FUNDING
In England all three and four year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week for up to 38 weeks a year. We offer this term time only via options 1 and 2.
We are also able to offer 30 hour places (option 3) to parents and carers who qualify for 30 hour childcare funding. To find out further information and to see if you are eligible, please go to
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/families/childcare/paying/30-hours-funded-childcare-for-working-parents#4
If your child is already attending another childcare setting, please check with your current provider if you are using stretched funding, as your current pattern must remain the same for three full terms or until the term after the child's next birthday. For further information, please go to
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/families/childcare/paying/funded-early-education-for-3-and-4-year-olds
HOME VISITS
You will have a home visit with the nursery manager. This appointment can be made at the nursery induction visit.
LABELLING CLOTHES
Please ensure all clothing/shoes and bags are clearly labelled as it is easier to find if the item becomes lost.
MEDICATION AND INHALERS
Where possible the need for medicines to be administered at school should be avoided, however, we understand that there are times this is unavoidable. You will need to complete and sign a ‘Medication Request’ form. This will need to be given to a member of staff with the original container as dispensed by a Pharmacist and be clearly labelled. Parents must bring in any equipment required to administer the medicine e.g. medicine spoons, oral syringes.
Non-prescription medications, including cough sweets, are not to be brought into school.
If your child has an Inhaler, please complete and sign an ‘Inhaler Request’ form and give to a member of staff in its original container as dispensed by a Pharmacist, with the label on. Please also bring in their Asthma Treatment Plan so that we can keep a copy at school. This inhaler, along with a spacer, can be left at school for your child to use.
NURSERY OPTIONS
Option 1:
Monday 8.40am – 3.00pm
Tuesday 8.40am – 3.00pm
Wednesday 8.40am – 11.15am
Option 2:
Wednesday 12 noon – 3.00pm
Thursday 8.40am – 3.00pm
Friday 8.40am – 3.00pm
Option 3:
Monday to Friday 8.40am – 3.00pm
Additional hours are available for those families eligible for 30 hours funding or at an additional cost, subject to availability and Government guidelines.
POTTY TRAINING
If your child is still in nappies or pull ups, we would encourage you to start potty training over the summer holidays. Here are some helpful training tips to assist you and your child during the toilet training stage.
Most children begin to show signs of readiness between 18 and 24 months, although some may be ready earlier or later than that. Boys often start later and sometimes take longer to learn to use the potty than girls.
As well as using age as a readiness indicator, look for other signs that your child may be ready to start heading for the potty, such as the ability to:
- follow simple instructions
- understand words about the toileting process
- control the muscles responsible for elimination
- verbally express a need to go
- keep a nappy dry for 2 hours or more
- get to the potty, sit on it, and then get off the potty
- pull down nappy, disposable training pants, or underpants
- show an interest in using the potty or wearing underpants
SCHOOL MEALS & PACKED LUNCHES
Our school meals are provided by Radish Catering. Each dish is prepared on site using fresh, local produce. Our home cooked meals meet the required national nutritional standards. We will ask your menu choices once your child has started with us, however if you have any queries about meals, please contact Ms Michelle Monk, finance@lingfield.surrey.sch.uk or call 01342 832626.
Meals cost £2.30 per day and payment can be made in advance via SIMS Pay.
If your child is staying all day on Wednesday, please bring a packed lunch as there are no hot meals available that day.
SCHOOL APP
Make sure you don’t miss out on any school communications by having the school app on your phone. Please click here to view instructions on how to download.
SETTLING IN
Starting nursery is a very exciting time for you and your child. As a team, we will endeavour to make this as special and enjoyable as possible. Whilst dropping off your child, members of the team are always on hand should you need a brief chat or help settling your child.
When your child starts school it is natural for them to have some fears and anxieties about saying goodbye. Helping your child get past their fears will go a long way towards encouraging healthy separations.
- Treat departures in a matter of fact way. Say “I love you and I will see you after nursery”, give them a hug, kiss and leave. It will send them a message that you feel comfortable with their key person and that they can be comfortable too.
- If you apologise for leaving it can convey the message that you are doing something for which you want your child’s forgiveness. It is better to say a positive goodbye.
- If you ask your child’s permission to depart it gives your child more power than they need or can use. Tell them you are leaving now and you will see them at the end of nursery.
- It is best to say goodbye rather than slipping away. Although disappearing may help avoid a scene today it may jeopardise your child’s trust in you and the nursery staff, causing difficult goodbyes in the future.
- Try and be patient if your child acts out when you are reunited. The longer you are gone, the harder it is for your child to hold themselves together. Once reunited they will feel safe enough to let out a day’s worth of emotions all at once. Acknowledge their feelings and tell them they have been missed.
SIMS PAY 360
This is our online payment system which will be used throughout your child's time at our school. You will shortly receive an email with details of how to register an account for your child. Please click here for a how to guide.
The following consent forms are available for you to complete, please visit the Events option:
- E-Safety
- Parent Handbook & Charter
- Photo consent 1
- Photo consent 2
- Photo consent 3
- School dog
- Sharing photos and filming
- Tapestry
- Local visits
Please ensure you check out as if you were making a payment.
SOCIAL STORY
Please click here to view the Nursery Social Story.
START DATES
The start times will be staggered so that each child has a chance to settle in and the transition is not so overwhelming. You will receive the timetable at the induction meeting.
TAPESTRY
Tapestry is an easy-to-use, secure online learning journal which enables staff and families to capture, share and celebrate each child's individual achievements and milestones. Learning and progress is documented through photos and videos and an ongoing dialogue between home and school. Please give consent via SIMS Pay to use this system.
TERM DATES
These can be found by clicking here.
THINGS TO BRING TO NURSERY
These are the things your child will need to bring to Nursery with them most days:
- Named school uniform
- Named water bottle/lunchbox
- Named book bag (to their work home in)
- Shoes (named) that your child can manage by themselves (e.g. Velcro – no laces)
- Sunhat (named) for sunny days
- Sun cream already applied on sunny days
- Warm coat (named) for colder days
- Warm hat and gloves (named) for cooler days
- Spare clothes (named) in case of accidents
- A packed lunch EVERY Wednesday if your child is attending all day on a Wednesday
These things will make it easy for your child to be independent
- Clothes that are easy for your child to pullup and down themselves for easy independent toileting
- If you are sending your daughter in tights, please practise taking them off and on
- We will be doing PE lessons and we ask children to remove their shoes and socks/tights – we will encourage children to do this independently so you may wish to practise with your child
- Toys from home should not come into school. This avoids them getting lost which may upset your child. We understanding that at first your child may want to bring a comforter to help them settle.
- If your child is still in nappies or pull ups we would encourage you to start potty training over the summer holidays
- If your child starts Nursery in nappies or pull ups we ask that you supply spare nappies, wipes, nappy sacks.
TYPICAL NURSERY DAY
The entrance for Nursery is at Gate 3 where a member of staff will be there to greet your child. It is a busy part of the day so should your query need more time, a meeting after school can always be arranged by contacting the office or Nursery Manager.
After spending time at their self-selected activity, the children stop for a snack which is usually fruit or vegetables. During this session, the teacher will talk to the children about the snack they are sharing. They will develop vocabulary by discussing what the snack tastes like, how it grows and where it comes from.
Children also learn the importance of hygiene by passing along antibacterial gel before the snack is handed out by one of the children. We encourage children to show respect by saying please and thank you.
Lunchtime for those staying at Nursery is 11:45am-1:00pm. We encourage all children to enjoy our freshly prepared school meals. Our friendly cook will happily try and accommodate any dietary requirements so, if you have any concerns, please speak to the Nursery teacher in the first instance. Lunchtime is a very important part of the school day and children are encouraged to be independent, try new food, use a knife and a fork and enjoy sociable chats around the table.
The end of the day for Nursery depends on the option selected. However, all sessions usually finish with the sharing of a short story, songs and rhymes.
We do not encourage children to bring in toys from home during the current Covid-19 situation.
UNIFORM
Uniform reflects a pride in the school and respect of the school rules. When your child starts in nursery they will need the following items of uniform:
- White embroidered polo shirt *
- Navy blue sweatshirt or cardigan *
- Clothes, for example jogging bottoms, that are easy for your child to pull up and down themselves for easy independent toileting
- Safe, sensible black shoes
- Grey, black or white plain socks or tights
- Book bag *
* You can order your child's uniform through SIMS Pay.
Once the order has been made up, you will receive an email or phone call from us with an appointment time to collect the uniform. If you do have to change sizes then any returns will be quarantined for 72 hours. Uniform will not be able to collected during the school holidays (21st July until 1st September) but we will endeavour to do it as soon as possible when we return.
