Parents
Useful information for parents
Early Years Framework
Early Years Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that Sunnyside Nursery adheres to. Our team supports children's development by following their needs and interests and providing a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum. Promoting teaching and learning to ensure children's 'school readiness' and giving children a broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life. The framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage is divided into prime and specific areas:
Prime Areas
Communication & Language
Sunnyside Nursery recognises that many children in our community have been affected by previous lock-downs and this has had an impact on speech. Therefore, our dedicated team aims to encourage communication and language through a variety of opportunities that support development through; interacting and playing with other children, circle time, role-play which develops their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations
Here children are encouraged to realise the significance and benefits of playing, working and co-operating with each other and adults. Development of confidence and greater independence is promoted to help the child understand their own needs and gain a positive sense of themselves and others.
In the nursery children have the chance to be active and interactive with their peers. This builds up greater confidence, control and co-ordination in mobility and physical control through a variety of physical activities. Opportunities are available for movement through balancing; climbing under, over and through objects both indoors and outdoors. Children are presented with a wide range of activities and resources to support their fine and gross motor skills.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Physical Development
Specific Areas
Literacy
Encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children are given access to a range of reading materials to ignite their interests and develop speaking when retelling stories.
The daily routine consists of many opportunities for children to learn about and use mathematical language and concepts during the session. Recognition of number names, numerals and the basic concepts of addition and subtraction is learnt through counting games and songs, matching and sorting as well as imaginative play and to describe and practice shapes, space and measure.
Mathematics
Understanding the World
In this area, understanding and skills are developed to help children make sense of the physical world around them and to value each other’s beliefs and cultures in our community. Children are invited to reflect on past activities and experiences and compare them to the present to gain a sense of time, similarities, differences, patterns and change. The nursery environment and planned activities help stimulate a sense of inquiry in children and encourage more constructive investigation of both the natural environment and the man-made world.
Expressive Arts & Design
The exploration of sound, colour, texture, shape, form and space in two and three dimensions is provided for through creative activities, involving art, stories, rhymes, sounds, shakers and imaginative role-play. A wide range of materials are available as well as costumes, instruments and tools in different sizes to help children express their ideas in various ways what they see, hear, touch, smell and feel. Through these opportunities children gain greater control over handling a variety of materials for creative expression with safety.
Observations
Sunnyside believe that on-going formative assessment should always be at the heart of effective early years practice. Observing what children ‘do and say’ helps to identify where the child may be in their own development and the next steps we need to take to progress them further. Each child has their own 'Tapestry' (online) profile which captures their learning journey and their achievements, child profiles are available for parents to look at any time by logging in and opportunities to include parental observations.
Parent’s Consultation is held throughout the academic nursery year; usually around; November and June. Where parents and practitioners discuss each child’s development and plan together how to keep moving their child forward. However, parents are welcome to book an appointment to visit the nursery any time to discuss their child’s progress with our team.
Policies
Click the link to find out more about our main procedures and policies regarding admissions, safeguarding, S.E.N, health and learning during lockdown. For any details and specific policies please contact us and these are available on request.
Admissions
Please complete and return the registration form to:
Sunnyside Nursery
93A Marsh Road
Luton
LU3 2QG
Nursery ‘viewings’ are via appointment only.
Please call the office on:
Tel: 01582 584177 | Mobile: 07958206972
Educational Visits
Educational visits and trips are carefully planned in order to support, develop and provide new experiences for children’s learning. Each term parents are made aware of upcoming visits and trips we wish the children to participate in. Visits and trips usually take place within the nursery day and strict health and safety guidelines are followed. Written permission is sought from all parents who wish for their child to participate. Our ratio when out in public decreases - for 2 year olds it is 1:3 and for 3-4 year olds is 1:4. Children visit our local library for educational sessions that develop; language, movement and a love for reading. In order to extend our ‘healthy-eating’ practice children visit our local Lidl, where they have opportunities to buy ‘snack’ for the week.
October
Poppies:
Road Safety Walk
Blossoms:
Environmental Walk
November
December
March
June
Poppies:
Library + Autumn Leaf Picking
Blossoms:
Shop Visit + Autumn Leaf Picking
Poppies:
Theatre
Poppies:
Road Safety Walk + Shop Visit
Poppies:
Whipsnade Zoo
Blossoms:
Fun Factory
Blossoms:
Library Visit
Blossoms:
Mead Farm
Example Daily Routine
Welcome and Registration
During this time children are greeted by staff, independently put their coats away, wash their hands then self-register themselves by placing their name tag onto the ‘registration board’. Once all children have arrived ‘circle-time’ begins. On alternative days children discuss a range of themes; learn letter sounds, counting, shapes, stories and rhymes. Children are reminded of their ‘Golden Rules’ and encouraged to display good behaviour and gain ‘Achievement Rewards’ for their class chart
Children have access to activities and resources of their choice during free play. Afterward children are then gathered together in their key groups. Key persons encourage children to participate and engage them in activities based on their individual needs and interests. Children are involved in helping to tidy up after all activities.
Children are encouraged to explore the outdoor environment periodically during each session. Adults interact with children’s play including games, dance, movement and exercise. In the event of extreme weather physical activities will be carried out indoors, where children will engage in exercise and games.
8:30am
8:50am
Child and Adult Initiated Activities
9:30am
Exploring Outdoors & Play
(Groups 1 & 2)
Snack Break
Children are encouraged to independently participate in snack preparation and to serve themselves and/or are supported whilst the key person engages them in conversation of interest and/or to promote healthy-eating. Snack break is flexible where necessary. Children who stay for lunch participate in ‘teeth-brushing’.
Children are encouraged to explore the outdoor environment during the entire session. Adults interact with children’s play including games, dance, movement and exercise. In the event of extreme weather physical activities will be carried out indoors.
Children are brought together to enjoy a range of activities such as stories, songs and group discussions reflecting upon the session’s activities. Children say goodbye for the day before being collected by parents. (Children are encouraged to enjoy the outdoors).
10:00am
10:45am
Exploring Outdoors
11:15am
Carpet Time
(Groups 3 & 4)
Parental Testimonies
Useful Links
Educational and Health
Luton Parent & Professional Portal: online services offered by LBC all under one roof: housing, council tax, bin collection, school place, benefits, health, jobs.
Early Years Foundation Stage: more information can be found at the following link.
Flying Start: offer services and advice for parents from pregnancy to school age and professionals.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) support: If your child has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) and/or you are concerned about their development.
Go Dharmic: Food for struggling families.
Healthy Eating: Tips for healthy packed lunches and snacks.
Child Bereavement Support: During these times in particular parents are faced with explaining bereavement to a young child and helping them to cope. We hope the following sites will support you with this challenging task.
More-Life: Weight Management programme for children and families.
Speech & Language Referral: expert advice & support for children with speech and language difficulties
Luton Online Directory: access to services such as speech & language therapy (SALT), relationships & parenting, crime, emergencies & staying safe, work, training & education, things to do
Parent Line: a secure and confidential text service for parents and carers of those aged 0-19. (Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm, except bank holidays). Beds Text: 07507 331 456 Luton Text: 07507 331 1886
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) 0-18: clinician will respond, providing self-help resources and psychoeducation. Call: 01234 893362
All Ages: Call 111 Option 2 (24/7)
Samaritans: 24 hour confidential listening and support for anyone who needs it. Email: jo@samaritans.org Phone: 116 123 (24 hours)
Safeguarding Websites
Act Early Years: Parents helpline for young people being drawn into terrorism.
Using internet safely: Tips Under 5’s.
NSPCC: keeping children safe, tips for all ages.
Child Accident Prevention Trust: advice on keeping children safe inside and outside of the home.