Drumoak School Nursery Information for Parents Drumoak School James Gregory Road Drumoak AB31 5DY Tel: 01330811221 Office Email: drumoak.sch@aberdeenshire.gov.uk Website: www.drumoak.aberdeenshire.sch.uk Education & Children’s Services

Welcome to Drumoak School

Welcome to Drumoak School. As Head Teacher, I hope that the partnership between home and school will be productive and enjoyable and that your child settles and enjoys his/her time with us.

We take pride in the fact that this is a happy and industrious school with a real sense of team spirit and we value that the education of your child/children is shared with parents, who have a very important role to play. Early communication from parent or school will help to promote this partnership.

We have a fantastic facility which the children will use throughout their education. We have a nursery, six classrooms and community facilities. There is a large sports hall which acts as our dining area, a general purpose room which is used by specialists and other events and a number of meeting rooms.

At Drumoak School our common mission is “Caring, learning and achieving for all”

Our key values are: Be safe, Be respectful, Do your best and TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More)

Our core aims are:

Caring

We will provide a safe, healthy, supportive and positive learning environment.

We will involve pupils, parents and the local community in the life and work of the school.

We will encourage our pupils to be motivated, respectful, active and independent individuals

Learning

Learning will be relevant, fun and inspiring.

We will aim for all our pupils to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

We will create a stimulating, well balanced and coherent curriculum.

We will provide high quality learning and teaching to meet the needs of all our pupils.

Achieving

All members of the school will be encouraged to achieve all they can. We will celebrate success.

We will aim to seek improvements in attainment and achievement.

We will all continually self-evaluate in order to provide the best possible learning environment.

WELCOME TO DRUMOAK NURSERY

Drumoak Nursery can accommodate learning for up to 30 children. The children are currently offered five sessions which last 3 hours and 10 minutes. The Nursery is attached to Drumoak Primary School and serves the rural area of the Banchory CSN (Children’s Services Network). Drumoak Nursery is regulated and inspected by the Care Inspectorate, Education Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.

At present our nursery team consists of an Early Years Lead Practitioner and two Early Years Practitioners.

We believe that communication is so important and hope this booklet will help you and your child start nursery feeling informed and ready for the journey ahead. We look forward to meeting your child during their induction period and answering any questions they or you may have.

This is the start of a very special time and we look forward to sharing the journey with you.

The Nursery Team

Staff

Headteacher; Mr Paul Wilson

Early Years Lead Practitioner: Miss Brenda Sangster

Early Years Practitioners: Mrs Ruth Veitch

Miss Lindsay Shand

EMERGENCY INFORMATION HELPLINE

Information on school closures can be found by:

Calling Aberdeenshire Council’s access telephone number

0870 054 4999 and entering the school’s pin number 021540

Checking the council website on www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/closures

Listening to the local radio such as Northsound one, Original 106

Admission to Nursery

Children in their ante pre-school year (3 year olds) and in their immediate preschool year (4 year olds) who live within the catchment area for Drumoak may be admitted to our Nursery. Where more applications than available places are received, children will be admitted by the local admissions panel following strict priority criteria. This is in accordance with the revised Aberdeenshire Council Early Learning and Child Care Admissions Policy, a copy of which is available from the school office and on the Aberdeenshire Council website. Enrolment for the following session normally takes place during February.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

You will be asked to complete a ‘Getting to Know You’ form, a personal plan and sign a number of permission slips before your child starts Nursery.

These documents are really important to us as they include information about food allergies, likes and dislikes and provide staff with a starting point for your child’s learning.

Settling in

At Drumoak nursery we operate a phased induction procedure. We recommend that the children stay for shorter sessions during this period as although it may not be your child’s first experience away from home, the staff and environment will be new. This ensures that staff have the time to get to know your child and begin to develop positive relationships with the whole family.

You are welcome to stay with your child for part or all of these early sessions, until you are confident that he/she is settled. Occasionally a child finds it easier to settle after Mum has gone. The staff have many years of experience in this and may suggest that you leave. We have found that the tears disappear more quickly once the carer has left the room.

A curriculum evening meeting will be organised in September. The purpose of this is to explain a bit more about how we deliver the curriculum here at Drumoak Nursery.

Session Times

Morning Sessions

8.40-9.00am drop off

11.40-11.55am pick up

Afternoon Sessions

12.20pm–12.35pm drop off

3.15pm-3.30pm pick up

Nursery Essentials

Clothing

What your child needs for nursery

Please send your child to Nursery in comfortable and practical clothing as we encourage the children to become independent. Buttons, belts and laces can be tricky for them to manage. Please provide your child with a pair of indoor shoes that they can change into. No Slippers or crocs please as they can cause slips and trips. Pull on gym shoes or velcro fastenings are ideal and easy for the children to manage. Your child will also require a spare change of clothes which can be kept in a bag on their peg. Please name all your child’s belongings as things can get lost.

Outdoor play and walks

At Drumoak Nursery we promote and encourage outdoor play and learning. As your child’s health and wellbeing are very important to us please ensure that your child comes to nursery with appropriate clothing and footwear every day.

In sunny weather please apply sun cream to your child before they arrive at Nursery and ensure that your child has a sunhat.

Car parking /transport

Please do not park in the drop off bays as they are being used by the school pupils particularly in the morning and at the end of day. Please reverse park into spaces and walk your child to the nursery entrance using the footpaths provided.

Arriving and Leaving

As the nursery operates a soft start and finish the outside door is open for the first and last 10 minutes of each session. Please come in and take time to chat about what your child has been doing in nursery. Bringing and collecting children on time can help to minimize their anxiety. If the outside nursery door is locked when you arrive you should make your way to the main entrance/reception of the school.

When your child arrives at nursery please sign them in using the sheets in the cloakroom. It is important that you let staff know if someone different will be collecting your child

This is for your child’s safety and aims to ensure your child is collected from nursery by the correct person. We are aware that plans can change at short notice so please phone the school office on 01330811221 to inform us of any changes.

Children should always be brought to nursery and collected by a responsible person over the age of 16.

SNACK

Snack is an important part of our nursery routine. We operate a ‘rolling snack’ where the children can choose within a certain time frame when they would like to come for snack. They take turns in helping to prepare the snack and learn to clear away and wash up their own cup and plate. Milk is provided for each child. We provide a wide variety of ‘healthy’ snacks and encourage the children to try new things. If your child is allergic to any food please let us know and an alternative will be provided. The charge for snack is 50p a day (£2.50 per week) which is collected soon after the start of term. If you would rather pay weekly please just tell a member of staff.

Birthdays

If your child’s birthday is on a Nursery day then we will provide a plain sponge which the children can decorate. If you prefer then you can provide a sealed, shop bought cake that they can share with their friends.

Health

Please let us know about any special circumstances relating to your child’s health as soon as possible.

Please keep your child at home if he/she is not feeling well. If your child is unable to attend due to illness, please telephone the school office first thing in the morning and let us know. If your child becomes unwell at nursery we will contact you to take him/her home. Please make sure the school always has up to date details of how to contact you or a friend or relative.

N.B. It is Aberdeenshire Council’s policy that, if any child has had vomiting and/or diarrhoea, they should be kept away from nursery for 48 hours to prevent the spread of infection.

Nursery staff are trained in First Aid and a First Aid kit is kept in Nursery and taken on trips.

If it is necessary for staff to administer medication to a child, parents must fill in an appropriate form obtainable from the school office.

Absences

Please let us know if your child is going to be absent from nursery before 9am for a morning session and before 12pm for the afternoon sessions.

Please provide written confirmation of holidays if they are to be taken in term time.

Emergency Contact

All parents must provide nursery with two emergency contacts with one being local to the nursery. This is particularly important if you are away from home during nursery hours or in adverse weather conditions.

Toothbrushing

We participate in the Childsmile scheme which was set up in partnership with the Community Dental Service and NHS Grampian. The children are supported to brush their teeth during nursery sessions. Each child is given their own toothbrush which are stored in accordance with infection control guidelines.

Toileting

Your child may or may not be toilet trained by the time that they start nursery. If your child requires support and encouragement with toilet training please share this information with the Nursery staff during their first visit. We will then work together to support your child in using the toilet while at nursery. A form consenting to the cleaning and changing of their child when necessary is included in the nursery permissions form which all parents/carers are required to sign.

Working with Families

We recognise the important role that parents/carers have in their child’s education and strive to work in partnership with you, as we believe continual involvement is crucial to successful learning.

We aim to keep parents informed about their child’s progress and achievements, sharing any concerns or difficulties promptly as they arise.

We hope parents will always feel welcome in the nursery, and will take time to look around and give encouragement to their child’s learning

Parent/Carer Opportunities

Throughout the year there are opportunities to participate as a parent/carer helper during a nursery session. Parents are encouraged to help in the nursery in various activities – working with children at art and crafts, reading stories and playing table top games.

If you have any special skills, interests or talents you would be willing to share with small groups or the class during a nursery session please let us know as these contributions are always valued.

Other occasions when parents may be asked to help include nursery outings or events.

Parent/carers are also invited to join us for our termly “Stay & Play” sessions.

Communication

Interactive Learning journals

Each child has their own personal Interactive Learning Journal profile which contains evidence of their learning. These are used by staff to record observations of your child while they are at nursery. Each observation recorded is linked to the Curriculum for excellence early level outcomes. These provide you with an insight into what your child is doing in nursery. They also suggest ways in which you can support your child’s learning and development. It is also good for staff to celebrate the children’s achievements out with nursery so please share these with the staff.

Nursery noticeboard

Please take time to look at the noticeboard in the cloakroom area. All information regarding dates for diaries, show and tell timetables, and other important information will be added to it.

Planning Board

Our planning board is situated above the sign in sheets within the nursery cloakroom.

This is used as our working planning wall and is updated regularly in line with learning outcomes and children’s interests. We also put up notices asking for help and photographs showing activities we have been doing. Staff use the whiteboard to provide an overview of the learning for the week.

Open door policy

A member of nursery staff are always at the door during the first and last 10 minutes of the nursery sessions. This ensures that we have time for: daily contact with parents, answering queries, letting staff know of any family concerns and also to share information about your child.

Please be aware that setting up time between morning and afternoon sessions is extremely tight and staff will not be available at this point to discuss matters except those of an urgent nature.

If a longer time for discussion is needed or the problem requires input from the Head Teacher, then a call should be made to arrange a suitable time for the interested parties to meet together.

School Council

The school and nursery benefits greatly from the services of an active School Council. The School Council is the elected representative group of parents who meet regularly with the Head Teacher, staff members and members of the community. They are involved in aspects of school decision making such as school improvement, financial planning and organising a variety of events which raise money for us to purchase much appreciated equipment and experiences for the school. The School Council

meet regularly throughout the school session.

If you are interested in joining the School Council please speak to a member of staff.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

In order to create a safe, happy learning environment it is necessary that certain standards of behaviour are established and we start with the assumption that children want to behave well and do their best. To promote and foster this, we use genuine praise and recognition to encourage and acknowledge their efforts in a safe and caring environment where each child is respected as an individual and treated consistently and fairly By promoting positive behaviour in the nursery, we hope to further develop the children’s self-esteem and confidence, their ability to express their feelings and carry out simple tasks independently.

Parents are encouraged to tell nursery staff of anything that might affect the child at nursery so we can help and support them if required.

Getting it Right For Every Child (GIRFEC)

We aim to ensure our nursery is a happy, secure place. A place where everyone’s needs are met and everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Our practice follows the Scottish Government Guidance on Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC).

Eight well-being indicators are used to identify specific areas which children and young people need to progress and develop and achieve their potential. These enable all those responsible for the care and support of the child to identify any needs/ concerns and subsequently plan (with the child and family) any necessary action.

This approach looks at eight areas of ‘well-being’ for each child. These are recognised as areas in which all children and young people need to progress in order to do well now and in the future.

The eight wellbeing indicators are:

• Safe

• Healthy

• Achieving

• Nurtured

• Active

• Responsible

• Respected

• Included

This is commonly referred to as SHANARRI

For more information about Aberdeenshire’s approach to GIRFEC go to;

http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/about/departments/girfec

Curriculum

Our approach reflects Aberdeenshire’s 3 – 18 Curriculum Framework and the Curriculum for Excellence, which aims to develop four capacities in our pupils as

There are eight curricular areas;

Health and Wellbeing

Literacy and English

Numeracy and Maths

Expressive Arts

Religious and Moral

Sciences

Social Studies

Technologies

Further information on “Curriculum for Excellence” can be found at www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk

GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL

New entrants to P1 are enrolled early in the year for entry the following August. This is for children who will be five in or before August. Those whose fifth birthday is between 1 September and 28 February of the following year may also be admitted to P1.

Details of enrolment dates are advertised in the local press by the Authority each January.

Parents/Carers wishing to enrol their child are welcome to visit the school at any time. It is advisable to let us know when to expect you so that someone can be available to show you round and discuss any queries you might have.

In accordance with the Aberdeenshire Early Learning and Child Care Policy there is an opportunity for entry to school to be delayed. This applies to children with January / February birthdays.

If you have any concerns about your child please discuss this with the Nursery staff.

Transitions into P1

The nursery is an integral part of the school and throughout the year the children are included in whole school events. We feel this is important as it ensures continuity between nursery and primary and helps the children to gain confidence.

During term 4 the pre-school children have the opportunity to experience a range of activities which will support a smooth transition into Primary school.

External Agencies

We believe in partnership working with parents. If you have any questions about your child’s progress or well-being at Nursery please discuss these with your child’s keyworker or the Early Years Lead Practitioner.

If your child has additional support needs which have been identified in their personal plan then we are able to access advice/ support from external agencies.

Speech and Language Therapy

If you have any concerns about your child’s speech and language development please share them with your child’s key worker. They will then consult the Early Years lead practitioner who can arrange a referral to Speech and language Therapy Service if appropriate.

Child Protection

Everyone has a responsibility to protect children from harm. School staff are in a unique position to contribute to the protection of children and must share concerns with appropriate colleagues and agencies. Every school has a Designated Officer who has been specifically trained to listen to concerns and act on them as necessary. Unless satisfied that a child has not been harmed or is not at risk of being harmed, the school must relay their concerns immediately to the Social Work Service and/or the Police. Social Work and the Police will determine when and how the child’s parents/carers and other services are to be informed of the concerns.

Insurance

The insurance position of your child whilst a pupil with the Education Authority is as follows.

No insurance cover is held by the Authority to provide automatic compensation to pupils in the event of a personal accident or death. It is your responsibility as a parent to insure your child for personal accident or death, if you feel this is appropriate.

The Authority does hold third party liability insurance which indemnifies the Authority for claims from third parties (e.g. parents of pupils) who have suffered injury, illness, loss or damage arising from the negligence of the Authority or its employees. However, if there is no negligence, no claim would be accepted by the Authority.

Comments, Compliments and Complaints

Drumoak Nursery is committed to delivering a quality service to all our users. We aim to take effective action to ensure standards are upheld and welcome being informed where they have not been satisfactory.

We have a ‘Complaints Policy’, which is displayed on the Nursery Notice board. We very much welcome comments about the service we operate as we continually evaluate our practice. We would encourage Parents/Carers to post their comments in the suggestions box located beside the Nursery notice board.

Aberdeenshire Council has a policy of ‘Comments, Compliments and Complaints.’ Copies of this policy can be obtained from the school office reception or www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

The Care Inspectorate can be contacted by telephone on 01224 793870.

More information about the Care Inspectorate and the National Care Standards can be obtained from www.careinspectorate.com.