WE ARE NURSERY!

Welcome to Shooting Stars 2019/20

My name is Miss McGinnes and I am the nursery teacher and Early Years Foundation Stage Leader. This year I am teaching in nursery on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then in one of our Reception classes on Thursday and Friday. Mrs Carr will be teaching the class on these days. Mrs Hart is our early years practitioner who works in nursery full time. We also have a Teaching Assistant called Miss Walton and an Apprentice Teaching Assistant called Miss Millns.  
In nursery we enjoy learning and working together every day. We learn to be kind and caring, help each other and keep trying our best.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which ensures that the children learn through play based activities both inside and outside. The nursery is set up to reflect the seven areas of learning and all areas are planned for on a daily basis.
At the beginning of each session, parents are encouraged to come into nursery and help your child to find their name and answer the daily question. We send books home to share regularly and families are also welcome to choose from our selection of games and jigsaws to take home and enjoy together.
We take children into our nursery in September, January and April (depending upon availability of places). Please telephone school to arrange a visit if you would like to have a look around before applying for a place for your child. 

Our learning
We have a rolling program of exciting and engaging themes which we follow to ensure a broad and balanced learning journey for all children. Each half term we begin with our theme and then adapt to follow the interests of the children as we go along. This year our themes will include:
Autumn term one: All about me
Autumn term two: Colour and Light
Spring term one: Magical Storyland
Spring term two: Amazing Animals
Summer term one: Watch it Grow!
Summer term two: Out and About
During every nursery session, children have the opportunity to learn through exciting play based experiences both inside and outside. We encourage children to be independent learners and initiate their own learning using our continuous provision.

Parental involvement
We really value the role that parents play as a child's first educator and aim to work closely with parents and carers to build on the learning which has already taken place in the home.
Each week children take home their own diary which informs parents about the weekly learning which the children have engaged in and suggests fun ways in which they can help their child at home. We also produce a weekly newsletter which ensures parents are kept well informed about all nursery events and important news.
Each half term, parents are invited into nursery to join in the learning at our 'Stay and Play' sessions. Parents can watch a nursery carpet session and then enjoy learning with the children both inside and outside.

Welly Walk
Every week on Friday's we love going on Welly Walk. All the children and staff get wrapped up warm, put on their wellington boots and enjoy a fantastic session of outdoor learning in our nature reserve. We have great fun playing and learning together!