Beginning Nursery or Reception is such an exciting time for a child, this is often their first experience of school. However, it can be an emotional time and children sometimes find it a little distressing. At Churchfield, we have created a settling in schedule for our Nursery and Reception children that gives them the support to begin their journey into Nursery and Reception with the least amount of distress.
Starting Nursery
Play sessions
All children join us for some short play sessions before they begin in their Nursery class full time or for their morning/afternoon session. This is so they can get used to their new environment and their new teachers. Parents join the children at the initial play sessions and then if they are settling well, the parents will leave them at school for the next play sessions.
Joining us from another setting
In September, children come to visit us for some play sessions before they start full time. For the first few play sessions, the children come with their parents so they can get to know their new teachers and their new classroom with the support of their care-giver. After these first play sessions, they join us on their own but just for one hour. If the children are settling well, we then invite them to stay longer at the next session until they have gradually increased to a full half-day or full day session. Your child's teachers will discuss this with you when they meet you. Parents' input on this is vital and we will ask for your opinions in order that we can help your child to settle as quickly as possible with the least amount of distress.
Our Nursery teachers also come to visit the local preschools and nurseries to meet children that are joining us. It's so beneficial for us to see the children in their familiar environment and talk to their preschool teacher about their strengths and any needs they may have.
Starting Reception
Moving from Churchfield Nursery to Reception
During the last half term of Nursery, our children meet their new teachers for Reception and spend lots of time visiting their new classroom. The Reception teachers come and visit the children in the Nursery also. There is a detailed handover meeting between the Nursery and Reception teams so the new teachers can help the children settle in well in September and to inform the new teachers of the strengths and needs of the children.
Joining us from another setting
In July and September, children who are new to the school come to visit us for some play sessions before they start full time. For the first two play sessions, the children come with their parents so they can get to know their new teachers and their new classroom with the support of their care-giver. After these first two play sessions, they join us on their own but just for two hours. If the children are settling well, we then extend the next session to half a day, then half a day plus lunchtime and then eventually to a full day. However, if any children are finding it tricky to settle or are feeling distressed then we adapt this schedule to suit their needs. Your child's teachers will discuss this with you when they meet you. Parents' input on this is vital and we will ask for your opinions in order that we can help your child to settle as quickly as possible with the least amount of distress.
Our Reception teachers also come to visit the local preschools and nurseries to meet any children that are joining us. It's so beneficial for us to see the children in their familiar environment and talk to their preschool teacher about their strengths and any needs they may have.
Play sessions
All children join us for some short play sessions before they begin in their Reception class full time. This is so they can get used to their new environment and their new teachers. Parents join the children at the initial play sessions and then if they are settling well, the parents will leave them at school for the next play sessions.
Settling in timetable
Once the children have joined us for some short play sessions, they will then begin with a half-day session, the a half-day plus lunchtime and eventually they will join us all day. We settle the children in like this gradually so they can build up their confidence to be in their new environment with their new classmates and teachers. This settling in timetable is flexible and we will adapt it to suit the needs of individual children. We will keep you informed about how your child is settling in. All the dates for the settling in timetable will be shared with you in the July before your child starts Reception.
Getting ready for Year 1
During the Summer Term, we prepare our Reception children to move up to the Year 1 classes. Their new teachers come to the Reception unit to meet them and we also bring the children in small groups to see their new Year 1 classroom. We run a 'Class Swap' morning in July also where the children spend a few hours in their new classroom with their new teachers and work on some fun activities together. Parents have an opportunity in July to meet their child's new teacher and share any important information.