Welcome to Westwood

Primary
Early Years
Nursery and Reception

Nursery
Home Visits
During the first couple of weeks of the autumn, spring and summer term the Nursery
staff visit all of the new children at home to get to know them in their own
environment. The Early Years Practitioner brings books and photos to share with the
child while the Nursery Teacher talks to the parents and answers any queries they
might have. A visit lasts between fifteen and thirty minutes and provides an
invaluable link for the children between home and school. Children often remember
the visit and talk about it later,
During the visit we will arrange a start date for your child. All children will have a
staggered entry into Nursery.

Key Person System

Your child will be given a key person who will be responsible for them during their
time at Nursery. The key person will work closely with your child helping them to feel
safe and cared for, building a close relationship with yourself and your child.

Nursery Session Times

Session time 8:45am to 11:45 am
8:45 am: Children and parents/carers arrive.
8:45am 9:00am: Open door, time for parents/carers to talk to the nursery staff and
settle their children.
9:15am Carpet Time
9:30 am - Snack bar opens, free flow play indoors and outdoors
11:25am Tidy up time, then story time
11:45
am Home time, time for you to talk with your childs key person

Snack Bar
There will be a daily snack bar that will be open for an hour . The children will be
invited over to the snack bar by an adult and supported whilst they enjoy their snack.
The snack bar takes place up a table, with plates, bowls, cups and healthy snacks,
milk or water. The children will be helped to pour their own drinks and to choose their
own food. We believe that the snack bar system helps children to have daily good
quality conversation with key adults building their independence.

Where to go.
When arriving and leaving, please use the side gate, which is on the right of the
school main entrance. This gives direct access to the reception/nursery classrooms.

What to bring.

A rain coat.
A pair of wellies
A bag with a change of clothes
A sun hat & sun cream (summer)
Warm coat, hat, scarf & gloves (winter)

Please name all of the above items including school uniform.

Reception Class
All children will start reception full time unless parents/carers request a part-time
entry. Please speak to class teacher.

Reception Daily routine

8:45 am: Children and parents/carers arrive.
8:45 am 9:00am: Open door, time for parents/carers to talk to the reception staff
and settle their children.
9:15am 9:35am: Circle time, teaching.
9:35am 12:00pm: Independent learning indoors and outdoors. Snack bar opens at
10:00am
12:00pm 1:00pm: Lunch time, playtime will be in the reception/nursery outdoor
area.
1:00pm 1:20pm: Circle time, teaching
1:20 pm 2:30pm: Independent learning indoors and outdoors
2:30pm Tidy up time and story
3:15pm Home time

Snack Bar
There will be a daily snack bar that will be open for an hour each session. The
children will be invited over to the snack bar by an adult and supported whilst they
enjoy their snack. The snack bar takes place up a table, with a table cloth, plates,
bowls, cups and healthy snacks, milk or water. The children will pour their own
drinks, choose their own food/drink and wash up their plates and cups once they
have finished. We believe that the snack bar system helps children to have daily
good quality conversation with key adults building their independence and supporting
them to make choices.

Where to go.
When arriving and leaving, please use the side gate, which is on the right of the
school main entrance. This gives direct access to the reception/nursery classrooms.

What to bring.
A packed lunch or school dinner money.
A rain coat.
A pair of wellies
A bag with a change of clothes
A named water bottle.
A sun hat (summer)
Warm coat, hat, scarf & gloves (winter)
Please name all of the above items, including all school uniform.

Outdoor Learning
Outdoor learning is fundamental to childrens development and the children have
daily free flow access to our outdoor area. The free flow system allows the children
to follow their interests and moving their learning indoors and outdoors.
We promote active outdoor learning and will be using the outdoor space in all
weathers please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather
conditions.

Fun in the forest

The children will have regular access to a small woodland area at the back to the
school field. They will be able to investigate and explore the natural environment
using all of their senses.
The woodland area provides the children with an opportunity to develop their
exploratory play alongside familiar adults and friends.
If you would like to join us please speak to a member of staff.

Parents as partners
8:45am 9:00am Daily parents time.
Please bring your children into the classroom and feel free to use this time to play
with your child, talk to the staff and have a look at their learning stories. At Westwood
Primary we welcome parental involvement, so please come and see us!
We operate an open door policy and a member of staff should always be available to
talk to you before or after school.
There is a parents notice board in each classroom, please check this regularly for
information.

Come and join in

Throughout the year there will be regular opportunities for you to come into school
and take part in activities alongside your child. We will be running regular Family
Caf sessions where you will be welcome to bring along any younger siblings.

Book Sharing
Your child will bring home a story book for you to share with them.

The books will be changed every week.

Book sharing is really important as it helps your child to develop their use of
words and improve their ability to talk and communicate.

Top tips for book sharing

Sit close together when sharing a book and encourage your child to hold the book
themselves and/or turn the pages
If your child has a dummy ask them to take it out and put it away.
Dont be afraid to use funny voices its a great way to make your child giggle.
And dont be afraid to sing either they wont care whether or not you sing in tune
or know the words!

When you talk to your child about whats going on in a book, give them plenty of
time to respond. Try to make comments about what is happening in the story. For
example, you could comment that giant has very big feet. Try not to ask too many
questions.
Our
Sharing
books isnt
just about
thebased
words approach
- point to thetopictures
and relatelearning.
them to
curriculum
fosters
a play
individualised
child
knows
Allsomething
children your
will be
given
the opportunity to develop and extend tinterests
And lastly make it fun! It doesnt matter how you read with a child, as long as you
both enjoy the time together.

The EYFS Curriculum

The Characteristics of effective learning

Playing and exploring engagement

Finding out and exploring

Playing with what they know
Being willing to have a go

Active Learning

Creating and thinking critically thinking

Being involved and

concentrating
Keep trying
Enjoying achieving what they set
out to so.

Having their own ideas

Making links
Choosing ways to do things

Learning and Development

Prime areas
Personal, Social and
Emotional
Development

Physical Development

Communication and
Language

Specific Areas
Literacy

Expressive Arts and Design

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Learning Stories
Each child will have their own learning story. The learning stories include
photographs, observations and assessments of your childs learning.
The learning stories are displayed in the classroom for parents to access anytime.
Parents are welcome to take the learning story home, but please make sure you sign
it out with a member of staff. The learning story is an important record of your childs
learning. Please ensure that they are looked after and returned to school in the same
condition.

Adding to the Learning Story

We would really like to hear about what your child can do at home. We value all
successes big or small and we would like to celebrate them. All parents will be
provided with At home labels please use them to write down anything that your child
does well when they are with you.
Here is an example of what you could write

At Home

On the way home from school

Ava noticed the number 6 on
the neighbours door.
Abbie Avas Mum
06/09/13

We look forward to meeting you