0 - 16 Months 16 Months - 2 Years 2 - 3 Years 3 - 5 Years

3 - 5 Years (Foundation Stage)

In line with guidance from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, our nursery follows specific goals for children aged three to the end of Reception Year (commonly referred to as the “Foundation Stage”) called “Early Learning Goals”. We have information for parents relating to the Early Learning Goals, which can be provided on request.

All children in the Rascal’s room are assessed using criteria that relate to these goals. These assessment records are held in the back of every child’s individual file. Parents are welcome at any time to look at/contribute to their children’s files/assessments. Please see a member of staff if you need any help or have any queries.

The children will not achieve all of the Early Learning Goals at nursery, as this stage of learning continues until the end of Reception Year (when the children will be five or almost five). They may however achieve many of them at nursery (depending on many factors) and will have experienced/developed the foundations to enable them to prosper in either State school or nursery.

Children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As well as developing cognitive skills, it is extremely important that children are encouraged to become creative and independent, socialise with both adults and their peers, and gain an understanding of the world around them. This area of development is incorporated into every activity/learning situation in order to ensure the all round development of our children.

Early Learning Goals

All activities/learning experiences are designed to incorporate the ‘Early Learning Goals’ which are a series of National targets devised by the Government. Our nursery has an excellent Ofsted report, which assesses the children’s progress in relation to these ‘goals’.

Diaries/Developmental Records

Each child is allocated a key nursery nurse to ensure that both the children and staff get to know and understand each-other. The child’s key worker fills out a diary to let the parents know what activities the children have been involved in. Parents are also encouraged to contribute to the diary.

The child’s key carer will build up a file of their achievements at nursery, which includes topic work, activities and assessment profiles.

Settling in Period

Children are different and therefore how they settle into the nursery will vary. As a guideline, initially, a child normally visits with their parents and then may visit on their own (normally one hour). Depending on how the child settles, another visit may be necessary, or it may be possible for the child to start nursery at this point. Occasionally, sessions may be gradually built up.