PROSPECTUS
“We are committed to providing a happy, safe and
stimulating learning
environment”
Newnham
CB3 9JF
(Map: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=52.1953&lon=0.111&scale=10000&icon=x or
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?G2M?X=544380&Y=257326&A=Y&Z=1)
Tel: 01223 311437
E-mail: littlecroftnursery@yahoo.co.uk
Web-Page:
http://uk.geocities.com/littlecroftnursery or http://geocities.com/littlecroftnursery/
Out of nursery hours:
(Susan Sehgal – Nursery Leader)
(Sarah Sharrock – Committee Chair; 01223 303 641)
Nursery
Sessions and Facilities
Monday
to Friday
3
Terms per Year
2 ½ to 5 years
The Nursery meets in the
Community Room at
The community room is a large, bright and airy room, providing a very adaptable play area. Outside there is a secure enclosed playground, decorated with bright wall murals and equipped with a large wooden playhouse, sit-and-ride toys and a large sandpit.
The wide
range of activities gives each child the opportunity to explore a variety of
topics through supervised play. The
sessions are planned around themes developed through the course of term, and
topic work is displayed on the walls, encouraging children to take pride in the
group and their individual work.
Examples of the topics covered in the course of the year:
|
· All about me · Growing · Festivals · Food and tastes |
· Transport · Shapes and Colours · Animals and Insects · Nursery Rhymes |
OFSTED
Inspection
The nursery was inspected in October 2003. The report (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=cchome&id=259671&type=DC) stated that the staff work well together and children benefit from being cared for by an experienced and qualified staff team. The staff provides an excellent range of stimulating and exciting activities and children are busy and active throughout the session.
Little Croft is
· A registered charity (no. 1029713) (http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?remchar=&chyno=1029713)
· Registered with the local authority under the Children’s Act (reg. no. 5410C03)
· Member of the Preschool Learning
The
nursery has adopted the 1998 Playgroup Constitution and is run by a committee
of parents, with the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary being trustees of the
charity.
Policies,
finance, staffing and general operations of the nursery are the
responsibilities of the committee, which meets at least once a term. The annual report and examined accounts are
presented during the autumn term when a new committee is elected. Minutes of committee meetings are distributed
to all parents.
We are
also featured in the book
Close
relationship with Newnham Croft School 
The nursery enjoys a
close relationship with
Close
liaison with
Staff/Parents’
Cooperation
Because of
the charitable status of the nursery, the parents of all the children commit
themselves to some work in running the nursery. The committee covers most of
the administrative work, but all parents contribute about six hours of work per
term to the running of the nursery by taking on tasks according to their own
skills. Tasks include helping at the morning sessions when needed, fundraising,
practical repairs to toys and equipment, rota of staff cover in case of
sickness and administrative tasks. All parents make this commitment when they
register their child at the nursery.
If you are
interested in joining the committee, please speak to a committee or staff
member. We will be glad to discuss which tasks you would most enjoy.
Preparation
for School
When
planning the term’s activities, the staff take into account the six areas of children’s
learning prescribed by the government, namely:
· Personal, social and emotional development
· Communication, language and literacy
· Mathematical development
· Knowledge and understanding of the world
· Physical development
· Creative development
We aim to
ensure that our children get the best possible opportunity to prepare for their
next stage – “big” school - while enjoying learning through
play.
Key
Worker System
The
nursery operates a “key worker” system – every child is
assigned to one member of staff (“key worker”) who observes and
carries out individual work with that child.
Notes are then recorded in each child’s special book throughout
the year and sectioned under the six Early Learning Goals used in the
Foundation Stage. You are always welcome
to discuss your child’s progress at the nursery with the key worker or
the nursery leader.
Any work
the children complete is compiled in their own “work books” as the
year progresses.
At the end
of each week each child can choose a library book to enjoy with the
family.
Singing
and Movement Classes
A music
teacher from “Colour Strings” comes to Little Croft Nursery every
Monday. At the end of each term, all the
children participate in a special musical performance for the parents and
carers.
Daily
Routine
· Show/Tell
· Group Teaching (Maths/Literacy)
· Home Corner
· Construction Toys and Puzzles
· Painting
· Messy Play (Sand/Pasta/Dough/Water/Earth)
Individual Work with Key Workers
· Sounds/Reading
· Pencil Control (Letters/Numbers)
· Practical Math Sessions
· Sit-and-Ride Toys
· Balls/Hoops/Bean Bags
· Adventure Playgrounds
Activities
and trips during the school year
Christmas Party and Nativity Play
Summer Show
Musical Performances
Trips to Ely, Wimpole Farm, Linton Zoo
Sports Day
Multicultural Week
Nature Walks
Fete
(in conjunction with
Educational visits from firemen, policemen and nurses
BRINGING
YOUR CHILD TO NURSERY
Clothes
Clothes for nursery sessions should be:
· Suitable for outdoor as well as indoor play
· Easy enough for your child to go to the toilet unaided (e.g. stretchy trousers, not too many buckles and no dungarees)
· Not too smart – they might get dirty!
Arrival time
We ask
parents to arrive in time for their children to be ready for the daily register
at
Fruit
In order
to give a healthy snack each morning, we would be grateful if you could provide
your child with one piece of fruit each morning to share.
Saying goodbye
Please say
goodbye to your child before leaving. It
is better in the long run for a child to know their parents are leaving them
for a period of time.
Picking
up your child
The
nursery session ends at
Staying in touch
The
Nursery telephone number is 01223 311437. If your child is unexpectedly not
attending a session, you can inform the staff in this way. Please ensure you
inform us how you can be contacted during Nursery hours on the registration
form.
Illness
If your child appears to be unwell, please do not bring her/him to Nursery. It is essential that your child is clear of any illness for 24 hours before returning. In case of diarrhoea and vomiting, you need to leave 48 hours after the last time he/she has vomited or suffered with diarrhoea before sending him/her back to nursery.
Disclosure of
children’s records
In each child’s best interest, we will pass on our records to their next school unless the child’s parents object in a letter of writing.
Photographs
Throughout
the year, we take photographs of general activities within the nursery. If this
is not acceptable, please let us know in writing.
Nursery
T-Shirts and Book Bags
The nursery has T-shirts and book bags with the nursery logo available for purchase at £5 each. Please ask our staff if you wish to buy these items.
Notice of withdrawal
The nursery runs on a set budget and relies on receiving the fees for all available places. Therefore six weeks’ advance notice is required for withdrawal of a child from the nursery. Parents who withdraw their children without notice will be charged in lieu of notice.
Admissions
and Registration
To be eligible for the nursery, children must be 2½ years old. The minimum attendance is two mornings per week. Rising four-year olds generally attend five mornings per week. We have an “Open Morning” at the beginning of September for all new children when we ask the parents to stay for the two hours.
We plan to stagger the arrival of each new child after the “Open Morning” so that each child is looked after and receives full attention of one member of staff.
A £20 registration fee is required with each completed registration form. This fee is non-refundable.
Waiting List
If there is a vacancy, your child will be able to join the nursery very soon after applying. If there are no vacancies when you register your child, you may join the waiting list. We offer the first place to the oldest child and then to children who were on the waiting list the longest. In recent years, most children on the waiting list have been offered a place eventually.
Fees and
Payment terms
Fees are GBP£ 8.25 per session (3 hours).
Fees are payable every term (or half-term, if agreed with the Treasurer) in advance. Cheques should be made payable to Little Croft Nursery.
The nursery is registered under the Early Years Development and Partnership Scheme (provider 11079076) which covers the nursery fees almost in full for children of eligible age (a small top-up fee is required). We will give you a form to complete if your child is entitled to a government-funded place. Children are usually eligible for this grant from the age of three.
Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters
University of Cambridge Colleges
Local Tax and Business Advisers CKL
Local Community
Last updated:
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