Stay, Play and Learn sessions
We would like to invite you to attend a ‘stay, play and learn’ session in our nursery. During this half hour session you will have the opportunity to spend time observing and engaging with your child in their learning context. You will also be able to discuss your child’s progress, development and well-being with your child’s key worker.
The appointment booking system will be open between Monday 21st September to Friday 2nd October 2026. Please see Miss Forbes to make your appointment when you pick up / drop off your child at nursery or alternatively you can make an appointment by phoning. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions but would still like to have the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and achievement with nursery staff then please request a telephone consultation.
Whilst we appreciate that you may need to bring younger siblings to this appointment we do ask that they are mindful of the nursery children in their work and play environment and must be supervised at all times.
Our nursery website also allows you to see inside the setting and shows our children engaging in their daily learning activities. This is updated on a regular basis. We will also provide you with a curriculum newsletter each term outlining the learning taking place which you will then see in action on the website.
We look forward to welcoming you into the nursery.
Many thanks
Sally Murray
Depute Head Teacher
7.9.26
Dear Parents and Carers,
Now that the majority of our new children have started, we would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all and share our Nursery Vision and Positive Relationships in Nursery policy.
We are delighted to have our returning children and families with us for another year and we are really looking forward to getting to know our new families. Staff have been busy settling our children into the new session and nursery life. We would now like to share some important information with you to help our nursery year be a positive and successful one.
Settling into nursery
Starting nursery is a very big step for our children (and families) and we strive to support everyone through this process. All our children will settle at different times and will require different support. Please be assured that our nursery staff are always available to support you and your child when you come into nursery. This is also a time that you may want to pass on any information or ask questions. A meeting room is available if you would like to talk to staff in a more private setting. You can also phone the nursery to talk to any member of staff.
Communication
Our main form of communication is the nursery section of the Haddington Primary School website. This will be updated weekly with information and photographs of all our learning. Please refer to this website regularly to ensure you receive important information. Please save this link below for the website. If you have any trouble accessing this please just alert a member of staff who will help you. There is also a QR code in the foyer that you can scan to gain access to the website. Our main focus for the first few weeks is settling the children and more posts will be available in the coming weeks. Haddington Primary Website We run an open door policy so please do not hesitate to approach a member of staff if you have any questions regarding your child. Other forms of communication regarding your child’s progress and achievements in nursery are highlighted below.
Personal Plans
Each child in our nursery will have a plan of how care and support will be provided. The plan will set out how each child’s needs will be met, as well as their wishes and choices, highlighting their welfare, health, safety and learning needs. Thank you for completing the ‘All About Me’ booklet and returning the forms which were issued. This information helps us to get to know your child and supports their transition into nursery. This plan will be updated with any information that you pass on to the nursery staff regarding your child and your family so that we may support them. It will also be discussed with you during ‘stay, play and learn’ sessions that you will be invited to attend. Parents and carers can request to see this plan at any time.
Stay, Play and Learn
We are delighted to welcome parents and carers into the nursery for our ‘stay, play & learn’ sessions. This allows you to share your child’s nursery experience and also have a progress and achievement update from your child’s key worker. You will be notified of times and dates for these sessions by the nursery staff. We will hold these sessions twice in the year, however if at any time you would like an update on any aspects of your child’s development or nursery experience then please do not hesitate to talk to a member of staff.
Learning Journal
A learning journal is compiled by staff and your child throughout the year. It reflects your child’s development, learning and achievements both in and out of nursery. Children are encouraged to celebrate their learning and achievements in their journal and are supported in doing so by the staff. These learning journals are available to parents/carers in the cloakroom area for you to share with your child. They will also be discussed with you at Stay, Play & Learn sessions. Parents & carers are encouraged to share any achievements that happen out of nursery. Sheets are available at the learning journal stations in the cloakroom for you to take home and complete with your child. These can be handed to a member of staff who will add them to your child’s journal.
Curriculum Newsletter
We will be sharing our intended learning for numeracy & maths, literacy and other areas of the curriculum with you at the beginning of each planning session in the form of a curriculum newsletter. This will outline some of the key learning that is taking place in nursery and will be posted on the website along with ideas of how you can support your child at home. It is hoped that you will then be able to see the learning in action each week on the website. All our early learning in nursery is delivered through play experiences.
Nursery Improvement plan
Our nursery strives to provide the best experience for both children and their families. We regularly engage in self-evaluation to support this. Click on the link to for an overview of the 2026-27 nursery improvement plan outlining the key areas that we plan to develop in the nursery. Improvement Plan Overview
Online lunch order
Snack and lunch is provided free of charge for all nursery children. The school office will now have issued you with a login which you use to access the SchoolPay system where you can order your child’s lunch. If you have any issues with this please contact the school office via telephone or talk to a member of nursery staff. Please ensure you order your child’s lunch to ensure they receive their choice.
Nursery Dates
Below are some key dates we have set for nursery events that parents and carers are invited to attend. It is hoped that by supplying these dates early in the year will support families with their forward planning. We look forward to sharing these events with you.
Stay, Play & Learn sessions
Monday 28th September to Friday 9th October
Festive Fun session
Tuesday 15th December @ 2 - 3pm
Wednesday 16th December @ 2 - 3pm
Scots Day
Tuesday 2nd March @ 2 - 3pm
Thursday 3rd March @ 2 - 3pm
Stay, play & Learn sessions
Monday 15th March to Thursday 25th March
Nursery sports day
Tuesday 8th June @ 2pm
Wednesday 9th June @ 2pm
Nursery Times
We ask that you adhere (where possible) to the nursery times for pick up and drop off to ensure the safety of our children. We can only have staff members operating the doors for 15 minute periods at drop off and pick up as they are required to be in the setting with the children. We ask that older siblings remain in the entrance foyer to allow us to concentrate on settling our nursery children. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
We would like to remind you of our ‘open door policy’ - please be assured that you can talk to a member of staff at any time by phoning, emailing or face-to-face at drop-off and pick up times. Thank you all for your continued support in helping us to make your child’s time at nursery a positive and successful one.
Kind regards
Sally Murray (Depute Head Teacher) and the Nursery Team