All about Keiss Nursery:

Our nursery building, which opened in August 2020, offers a stunning view of Sinclair Bay. Designed to accommodate up to 20 children, it currently supports a roll of 10 children, with the recent inclusion of 2-year-olds from the beginning of this session. 

The nursery features a large playroom, an enclosed garden, and access to a tarmac area of the school playground as well as the gym hall. Free-flow play is encouraged in a safe and secure environment, with opportunities for outdoor activities whenever possible.

We prioritise outdoor learning and provide each pupil with an outdoor suit. Parents are kindly asked to ensure their child has appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather, as well as indoor shoes. A spare set of clothes is always useful, and while we provide wellies, parents are welcome to send their child’s own pair.

To help maintain a safe and focused environment, we kindly ask that toys from home are not brought to nursery at this time.                    

All children attending the Nursery must be brought and collected by nominated adult. For safety and record-keeping, parents or carers are required to sign the attendance book at both drop-off and pick up times.

To help children settle in, we invite them and their parents to a “stay and play” session before their official start date. This provides an opportunity to become familiar with the environment and routines, fostering a smooth transition into Nursery life.

During a typical session, children enjoy a wide variety of activities designed to support their learning, creativity, and social skills. 

Examples include:

• Sand play

• Digital technologies

• Arts and crafts

• Construction activities

• Role play

• Story corner for group or individual reading

• Free play and group activities

• Storytime

• Physical play in the garden, on the tarmac, or in the school gym

• Snack time

• Tooth brushing as part of health education

• Singing songs and music-making

• Children also have access to additional resources that match their individual interests and are encouraged to actively participate in planning and evaluating their own learning experiences.

Throughout the year, the children benefit from a range of special learning opportunities, such as:

• Visits from community figures (e.g., the police)

• Library bus visits

• Nursery trips

• Whole-school events, including cinema outings and concerts

• Christmas parties

• School assemblies, including sharing assemblies

• These activities enrich the children’s learning and help to create a vibrant, inclusive, and engaging environment where they can thrive.

From time to time, we encourage children to explore school dinners by offering small samples for them to try. Mrs. Stewart, our school cook, kindly prepares a small plate of food, which is sent to the Nursery for children to taste if they wish.

If a child enjoys a particular dish, our staff will share this with parents by posting a photo on Seesaw, allowing parents to consider ordering it the next time it appears on the menu.

This tasting experience is entirely optional, with no pressure on children to try anything or on parents to choose school dinners. It’s simply an opportunity for children to expand their tastes and explore new foods in a relaxed and supportive environment.