Kingfisher Primary Astrea Academy Trust
Nursery
Our Nursery has two classes per day (morning and afternoon) that children can join. Being part of a school Nursery ensures quality teaching, learning and exploration is provided. It gives smooth transition into Reception for children, and it helps guarantee that we are constantly in touch with new thinking in the field of child care and education.
We offer:
- Places for children aged 3 and 4 years old
- Fun and friendship with children and other adults
- A developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet the needs of each individual child
- A quality nursery education and curriculum
- A fully qualified and experienced Nursery class teacher
- Support staff with a wealth and breadth of experience
- Excellent staff to pupil ratios with a Key Worker approach for all
- Quality care and education for nursery children and support for their families
- Excellent facilities for your child to mature and develop in a child oriented environment
- A well-established team who work closely with our Early Years Leader
- Staff with First Aid Certificates
Session times:
Currently, we run a total of ten sessions per week during term time. We have five morning and five afternoon sessions.
Our Nursery sessions are:
- Mornings – 8:45am to 11:45am
- Lunch – 11:45am to 12:15pm
- Afternoons – 12:15pm to 3:15pm
Parental Partnership
Research shows that children learn better when their parents are involved. Here at Kingfisher, we recognise that parents are the first and most important educators of their young children and are passionate about working together. Therefore, we encourage all parents to participate in our events. Staff pride themselves on being approachable and supportive and are only too happy to help if you are in need of advice or ideas to support your child.
Our parents are welcome to:
- Take part in the school’s Coffee Mornings
- Tap into staff experience and expertise
Curriculum
Within the group, all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. Our regular planning sessions enable us to provide a wealth of experience from which your child can build and expand their knowledge and skills.
There are seven areas of learning in the Early Years. These are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional
- Communication and Language
- Physical
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
At the age of 3 and 4 years old the key areas are known as the Prime areas. These are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional
- Communication and Language
- Physical
These areas of development are the cornerstone on which the other areas of development are built. We plan to intertwine these areas into all we do and plan for the children to have a well-rounded experience which helps each child to make progress which is right for them and to support them in being well-prepared for starting school.
Special Educational Needs
We have experienced Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinators (SENDCOs) who work alongside our staff to provide individual planning, activities and support for children who have additional needs. They work closely with our Nursery staff to support both the children and their families.
Admission Arrangements
Kingfisher Primary and Nursery offers the Government’s universal educational entitlement of 570 hours a year, through 15 hours per week, 38 weeks a year. All children who are 3-4 years old and live in Doncaster are eligible this entitlement.
In addition to the universal entitlement, we also offer a limited number of full-time places for families who either qualify for 30 hours free childcare or wish to pay for the additional sessions.
Families can apply for the extended 30 hours funding by clicking this link: 30 hours free childcare. Eligible families will be given a funding code which must be provided to the Nursery prior to admission. Upon receipt of a valid code, children will be allocated a full-time place (subject to availability). The 30-hour funding code covers the morning and afternoon session, with an additional charge being made for the lunch period.
We operate a rolling admissions system and children are admitted to Nursery shortly after their third birthday providing there are sufficient places.
We aim to ensure that our Nursery is as financially viable as possible, so we will endeavour to fill all places. Families will be able to choose five morning sessions, five afternoon sessions or five full days (subject to availability). Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate any requests for unusual attendance patterns or offer part week sessions.
Session Changes and Termination
A two-week notice period is required for any families wishing to increase their sessions from part-time (15 hours) to full[1]time (30 hours) or to change their morning bookings to afternoon bookings (or vice versa). Changes to sessions are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
Starting Nursery
Firstly, complete and submit the online application form found the Doncaster Council website.
We will contact you as your child approaches the age of 3 years old in order to arrange a mutually convenient start date.
We would advise you to visit the Nursery prior to the start date. A visit will enable you to meet the staff and ask any questions. You will also be able to experience the daily routine, which is registration time, free play/curriculum activities, tidying-up time, snack time and story time at the end of the session. A mutually convenient time for a visit can be arranged with the school office.
It is important for parents and Nursery staff to work together to help the child to feel confident and secure in the group.
Some children settle quickly. For some this takes longer. We will work closely with parents to support each child as needed.
We do ask that a parent stays with the child on their first session as this helps the child to integrate more quickly and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions and become familiar with the routine.
In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send children in clothes which are easy to wash and not too new. Simple clothing, which they can handle themselves, will enable them to go to the toilet easily and to put on and take off their outdoor clothes without being too dependent on other people’s help.
School uniform is not compulsory for Nursery children. However, some parents do prefer to send their children in a school jumper as they wash well, and it can help the child to feel they are ‘going to school’, especially if they have older brothers and sisters who wear a ‘uniform’ to school. Uniform can be purchased online. Details for this can be found in the prospectus pack.
On starting Nursery, you will be given an introduction to Nursery life and a parent handbook which gives more details about Nursery. You will be asked to complete a pupil personal information record. All information on this form is kept strictly confidential but provides us with the details that we need to know so that we can get hold of parents at any time and so that your child’s needs are catered for fully and safely.