Parent Guide

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The National Curriculum

What is it?

• The National Curriculum sets out the most important knowledge and skills that every child has a right to learn.
• It is a framework given to teachers by government, so that all children are taught in a way that is balanced and manageable, but hard enough to challenge them.
• It gives standards to measure how well children are doing in each subject - so teachers can plan to help them do better.

At Maple Infants' your child will cover the Foundation Stage and Key Stage1.
The Foundation Stage happens before the National Curriculum: It is a framework for your child's learning in nursery or reception class.

The Foundation Stage
All 4 year olds and many 3 year olds are entitled to free part-time education. These early years, together with their time in reception class, make up the foundation stage.
Your child will see the foundation stage as fun and play. But their time in nursery is structured to ensure that he/she will develop all the basic skills they will need for the years ahead.At this stage we will focus on speaking, listening, singing, dancing, stories and counting.

The foundation stage lasts from age 3 to 5. The six broad areas of learning are:

• Personal, social and emotional development. Your child will learn to be self-confident, take an interest in things, know what their own needs are, tell the difference between right and wrong and be able to dress and undress.
• Communication, language and literacy. Your child will learn to talk clearly and confidently, enjoying stories, poems, songs , hearing and saying sounds and linking them to the alphabet. They will learn to read and write some familiar words and learn to use a pencil.
• Mathematical development. Your child will develop an understanding of maths through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. They will become comfortable with numbers. They will be aware of shapes and space.
  
• Knowledge and understanding of the world. Your child will explore and find out about the world around them, asking questions about it. They will build using different materials and find out about everyday technology. They will begin to understand the concept of the past and discover different cultures and beliefs.
• Physical development. Your child will learn to move confidently controlling their body and handling equipment.
• Creative development. This area covers the exploration of colours and shapes and trying out dance, making things, telling stories and making music.

Your child will not be tested at the end of the foundation stage. The emphasis is on playing and having fun whilst covering the above key areas. If you would like to talk to the staff involved with your child's development please let us know. These early years are very important and it is essential that we all work together to ensure your child reaches his/her full potential.

When your child moves into reception class the teacher will carry out a base line assessment. It's not a formal test. Your child will not be aware of the assessment. There is no need to worry about the assessment, it's purpose is to ensure that we are totally aware of your child's learning needs.

Key Stage 1
At key stage 1 your child will be taught: English, Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology, Information and Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art and Design, Music and Physical Education. We also teach Religious Education.

The staff at Maple Infants' design their own teaching strategies and plans which fit in with the National Curriculum. Not every subject will be taught in a separate lesson.

Each National Curriculum subject has a target and at the end of key stage 1, your child should have reached the level of skill, knowledge and understanding specified for Maths and English.

Why do we have targets and tests?

• Children get a sense of achievement.
• We use the targets and tests to check on your child's progress so that we match our teaching strategies to meet the needs of your child.
• The government also uses the the targets and tests to see how many children are making the right kind of progress.

Children develop at different rates. If you are at all concerned about any aspect of your child's educational, social or psychological development please either talk to the teacher or come and see the Head Teacher. We are always happy to listen and advise.

You will probably find that you are helping your child already. Asking them what they have done in class and encouraging them to talk in detail about what they have experienced during the day. Talk about any work they bring home in a positive and enquiring manner. Encourage them to ask questions. Encourage them to listen to others and try out new skills. Reading your child stories, learning rhymes will all help to enhance their learning experience. Giving positive feedback to your child can not be understated.

Here are a few tips. If you have any tips you would like to add to the list, please the to us e-mail us:

• Take a few moments to listen to the sounds around you. Encourage your child to describe the sound in lots of different ways.
• Put junk mail to good use by helping your child to identify letters, big words, small words, words which begin with the same letters.
• Count as much as you can with your child, guess how many steps, find three trees, develop the important skill of estimating. Tell your child what time it is and encourage them to look at the clock. Count out lose change. Sing counting songs. Concentrate on the sounds and identifying the numbers with how they are written.
• Think of a number and ask you child to guess it by asking 10 questions. Is it bigger than, smaller than, odd, even and so on. Get them to measure objects and weigh them. Ask would they sink or float and why. Incorporate these tasks into normal everyday living.
• Play the old games like, I Spy and Animal, Vegetable, Mineral.
• Tell your child what you did when you were their age. What you ate and wore. Look at photos an discuss clothes people, generations etc. Can they spot the differences in clothes, cars, kitchens, gardens, hairstyles. Encourage the concept of history and the likely experiences of people at different points in history.
• Look at what is old and what is new. The street is a good place to start. Is a building, statue, pillar box, phone box old or new? Look at the clues.
• When reading stories try to ask: What would you do in that situation? Get your child to tell you what has happened so far. What do they think will happen next?
• When out shopping or in the kitchen, look to see where food has been imported from. Look at a map of the world and help your child to find the countries and trace the journey to home.
• Develop awareness of surroundings by encouraging your child to draw the park, your street. Ask them about directions and the fastest or most pleasant way of getting somewhere. Why do they like a park, shop, room. What would make it better for babies, children, adults, dogs etc.
• Ask open ended questions. Ask what could happen next, evaluate and discuss situations.
  

Some local organisations offering out of school lessons and activities: Dance, Art, Karate classes. Please e-mail details of any local classes which may be of interest to other parents.
Stagecoachoffers a drama related workshop. See their web site at www.stagecoach.co.uk

We hope you will find the following information useful but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask a member of staff.

Nursery Times
Morning session: 9.00am to 11.30am
Afternoon session: 12.50am to 3.20pm

Parents are welcome to come to Nursery with their children at the beginning of the year while they are settling in. Once a relationship has been formed with nursery staff, we would ask parents to leave as soon as possible.

Admissions procedure: You can call the school to arrange an appointment for a 'tour' of the Nursery and school. After you child's second birthday, call the school and ask for a nursery enrolment form. Complete it and return it as soon as possible. The entry criteria can be seen on the Admissions page.

If we can offer your child a place you will be asked to confirm your acceptance. You will then be asked to attend an introduction evening (parents only) where we can tell you more about the Nursery and you can meet the staff who will work with your child. At this point you can make an individual appointment for a short meeting with the Nursery teacher. This meeting is in the nursery and you can bring your child along so they can begin to familiarise themselves with their new environment.

Aims and objectives:

• The main aim of the Nursery is to convey that learning is pleasurable and fun.
• We aim to provide as a rich, exciting, stimulating and carefully structured environment via a wide range of balanced activities. The environment will allow the children to acquire the skills which will lay a good foundation for future life in school.
• We endeavour to provide a happy and relaxed atmosphere in which the children can gain sufficient confidence to undertake new experiences.
• We aim to cover all areas of learning through play and practical experiences.
• We encourage the children to observe, investigate, explore and achieve.
• We encourage the children to share and care and to respect resources and equipment.
• We aim to provide an opportunity for the individual child to express themselves and to develop a full range of learning skills.
• We aim, through good attitudes and understanding, to encourage the children to become confident, caring and useful members of society.
• We aim to prepare children to make a confident and happy transition into main school.
• We have developed close links between the Nursery and Reception classes. This will ensure valuable liaison between staff, sharing of expertise and continuity for the children.

Mid Session Refreshment
During the session the children have a 'coming together' time when they are given a drink of water and a small snack e.g. a piece of carrot, apple, satsuma etc. Parents are requested to donate fruit, which will be shared. 'Snack time' is a learning experience concerning hygiene, (washing hands, cups, preparation) social skills and number skills.
Please ensure we are aware of any allergies or strong dislikes your child may have.

Reporting to parents
A close partnership will develop between the staff and yourselves and there is an opportunity to address any concerns on a daily basis.
A brief mid-academic year Contact Report will be issued to indicate general progress and whether the Nursery class teacher wishes to discuss the needs of your child. At the end of the school year you will receive a report that celebrates your child's achievements.

Parent/Teacher consultations ( Summer term)
Parent/teacher consultations are held in the Summer Term. You will be notified of the details well in advance. However, if you are concerned or have any worries about you child please do not hesitate to speak to us.

Security and Safety
No jewellery or watches are to be worn at Nursery.
If someone is collecting your child who is not familiar to the staff, you must let us know in advance.
Kindly ensure that the Nursery gate is closed at all times.
Please do not allow your child to climb or sit on the front wall.
We always promote walking to and from school but if this is not convenient for you please do not park on the yellow road markings outside the school. Please do not park on or block the residential or business properties close to the school. Both residential and business property owners will report your registration number to the police.
On no account should parents or children cut through the staff car park.

School fund
There is a voluntary school fund for the school. The Nursery fund provides refreshments, cooking ingredients and goes towards replacing resources and improving facilities for the children in general. Voluntary contributions are collected at the beginning of each term. Without your contribution, many activities will not be viable.

Books
The Nursery has a wide variety of story books, a selection of which are freely available to the children throughout the session. Your child will have the opportunity to listen to these stories.

Music
Cassette tapes and CDs are used for stories, music and movement.

Art and Activities
Children's visual sense is their strongest sense. Painting, drawing, collage etc. are used to record their ideas and experiences. These recordings are as important as the writing of an older child or adult. Your child will bring many of their 'creations' home. Please talk to them about their work and show a positive interest.
They will also learn about the properties and characteristics of water, sand and clay.
As you will observe when you visit the nursery with your child, many other activities are organised to support learning which include dough, plasticine. bricks, construction toys, cutting and pasting, jigsaw puzzles, pre-reading and number activities, story books, junk modelling and various interest tables.

The Outside Play Area
We have a variety of outside toys which encourage the development of motor skills. We like the children to play outside daily, weather permitting. Our covered area allows outdoor play even when it's raining. Please ensure your child has a coat in cold weather.

Clothing
The children need to be able to manage as many of their own clothes as possible so that they can feel independent and don't need to wait for busy teachers to help them. There are many instances when socks, shoes and other clothing will need to be removed for large floor painting, dressing up, outdoor sandpit etc.
Please be aware of the following:

• We would like all Nursery children to wear the red school sweatshirt.
• In warmer weather it may be more suitable to wear the school's polo shirts with elastic topped grey shorts or red and white skirts (No difficult buttons at cuffs and waists please!)
• Shoes must be safe for climbing. Velcro fastening shoes are the best choice. Lace up shoes and boots are not permitted at Nursery. Buckled shoes are permitted only if your child can fasten them easily.
• Please label all items of clothing clearly. Before your child begins school you will receive an order form for clothing labels form a company called Cash. The school receives a percentage of your order with Cash for our school funds so we would really appreciate it if you could order your name tags through them. If you need another order form please ask at the school office.

Health Care
Following tummy upsets or sickness, children must stay away from school for at least 24 hours. Please inform the school office if your child has an infectious or contagious illness.
Please endeavour, as far as possible, to ensure that your child is toilet trained and able to wash their hands.
Like all schools we have problems with headlice from time to time. Please inform the teacher as soon as possible if your child has headlice. This link to the Department of Health website will give more information about treatment. www.doh.gov.uk

Outings
As part of our normal activities, the staff sometimes take the children offsite (for a walk to the shops etc.). Please make sure that you sign our letter of consent or indicate that you do not want your child to participate in off site visits.

Attendance and Punctuality
Nursery places are at a premium and we always have a waiting list. Your child must attend on a regular basis unless unwell when we should be notified by telephone or a note. Failure to attend on a regular basis may jeopardise your child's nursery place.

Learning Journey: A guide to the primary school curriculum. Ages 3-7. This is a free guide which will be given out by the school. You can also request a copy from the DFEE orderline. Call 08000 96 66 26.

Connecting to the internet:
London Grid for Learning provides a home service called lgfl@home. This is a service aimed at parents that want both a filtered broadband service (for children) and unfiltered service (for themselves). There are a number of educational and financial benefits for parents, for schools and for London LEAs associated with the service. For more information

Below is a list of useful links covering education and leisure. If you know of a site which should be on this page then please e-mail us the details.
Before the links, here are a few tips for child-safe internet use.

TALK TO YOUR BABY
For the latest news, initiatives and research on early communication and to
download free language resource which can be photocopied and passed onto
parents and professionals visit www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk

PARENTLINE PLUS
Free helpline for parents (0808 800 2222) and has an updated website which
takes parents and professionals through many of the issues families face.
Information is easy to read, colourful and has lots of practical ideas.
Downloads and information materials www.parentlineplus.org.uk

FATHERS DIRECT
New website design with lots of support, advice and resources for
professionals and dads! www.fathersdirect.com



Educational resources

www.rbksch.org/maths. A great source of maths related information and very helpful homework activities. There are activities for all levels in easy print format. This is an invaluable resource.

www.parents.dfee.gov.uk A site set up by the DFEE for parents. It has lots of useful resources covering in school and out of school. On the 'Discover' part of the site you will find leaflets on National Curriculum topics such as Romans or Electricity.

Lots of ideas and resources structured around the national curriculum. www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/

www.parentsonline.gov.uk/ Parents on line (benefits of using the internet)

www.schoolsnet.com A very comprehensive guide to schools, state and fee paying in the UK. Plus lots of other helpful information linked to education.

www.educationunlimited.co.uk/parents/ A good resource provided by The Guardian and The Observer. Lots of articles and an interesting parents' problem page.

www.nc.uk.net: This is the National Curriculum web site. Very detailed information on each subject contained in the curriculum.

www.newsnow.co.uk: Up to the minute educational news.

www.familyeducation.com: Comprehensive site. It's American, so not directly relevant to our National Curriculum, but has some good ideas and resources.

www.schoolmaster.net

www.refdesk.com

www.surfnetkids.com

www.britannica.com (online encyclopedia)

Search Engines and security for children

www.surfcontrol.com Cyber patrol to limit your child's access while they are on the internet (Filtering software).

Yahooligans:www.yahooligans.com

Ask Jeeves: www.ajkids.com

General sites

Site for Young Children Kid's Space www.kids-space.org

Tweenies www.bbc.co.uk/tweenies

Teletubbies www.bbc.co.uk/teletubbies

Little Animals www.bbc.co.uk/laac

Numberwork www.bbc.co.uk/education/megamaths/tables.html

www.bbc.co.uk/dynamoAn award winning website which gives full details of the BBC's Dynamic Learning Programme.

www.wizziwiz.co.uk Everything for children to do by area.

www.planit4kids.com Lots of ideas for children.

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