Welcome As a qualified teacher and Early Years specialist, I believe that our Nursery School gives children the very best start to their education. Our talented, caring and enthusiastic staff nurture the children, allowing them to fully enjoy their learning. Children need to feel happy and secure to enable them to reach their full potential. The children are fortunate enough to be part of a vibrant and challenging whole school community and they follow the Manor House School values. They enjoy break times with the Lower Prep classes and both age groups benefit from spending time together. We place great importance on outdoor learning and therefore we make the most of our fabulous grounds whenever possible and offer Forest School to every child. We have a school prefect designated to the Early Years Department whose caring ‘big sister’ approach adds another dimension to the childrens’ learning and sense of belonging. I would love to show you around our Nursery School so that you can experience for yourself all that it has to offer. I look forward to meeting you.
Yvonne Ferrey, Head of Early Years
What we offer At Manor House Nursery we offer three different booking options with the aim of suiting the needs of you and your child. We understand that every family’s circumstances are different. We offer mornings and full days for all children and extended days for those aged 3 years and over. Morning Day Extended Day
8.00am - 12.30pm 8.00am - 3.30/4.00pm 8.00am - 6.00pm
(for children aged 3 years and over). All sessions include an optional breakfast, snacks and lunch and our extended day includes a light tea. We offer discounts of up to 20% for those wishing to take 4 or 5 sessions.
Our Learning Environment Our Nursery School is located in a dedicated and purpose-built area of the school. Our Nursery rooms are connected to an all-weather enclosed playground which includes, amongst other things, sand and water play, a sensory kitchen and a full size train. The children also share the Orchard Garden with our Prep girls which contains our much loved pirate ship and climbing apparatus! All children are able to take part in our Forest School which takes place in our beautiful, 17-acre grounds and outdoor classroom, The Dell.
Our Uniform Children wear comfortable Manor House tracksuits. In addition, girls wear a summer dress and cardigan (and optional pinafore in the winter) and boys may wear grey formal shorts.
Our Classes There are two classes in the Nursery building with designated rooms for each age group. Both classrooms are equipped with state of the art equipment to fully engage learning including interactive white boards, illuminated writing boards, light boxes and sand, water and role play areas. Nursery children learn important separation skills from parents and staff enjoy building close relationships with the children, encouraging their self-confidence and language skills. Kindergarten class prepares the children for the more formal learning that takes place in Reception Class. We have embedded a new curriculum which encourages the children to learn across the whole of the Early Years Department. Kindergarten children regularly learn with Nursery children and share ‘Understanding the World’ activities with the Reception class. This ensures a smooth transition for girls continuing their education at the school.
Communication
Each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. The atmosphere in our Nursery School is warm and friendly and activities are specifically designed to meet the needs of the developing child. Communication to parents on the development of each child is hugely important and we have several ways in which we communicate with parents: • • • • • • •
Daily face to face contact with each parent A weekly newsletter with advanced planning for the following week A Communications Board in Nursery Online assessment system providing updates of activities with photos Twice yearly parent evenings Two individual reports A full progress report for all two year olds.
Our ‘Excellent’ Curriculum Children learn best by doing; happy, self-motivated learners form positive images of themselves as confident, successful individuals. We foster independence and a love of learning from an early age. Children between the ages of 2 and 4 years discover, absorb, learn and enjoy as they take their first steps away from home to an environment that is specially prepared for them. We take a highly structured and responsive approach to each and every child so that they are able to progress, achieve and participate using the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework with elements of Montessori practise.
Weekly Activities A weekly schedule of activities outlines what each day at the Nursery will bring, in addition to daily story, phonics, break and circle time. These are differentiated for each child’s developmental stage. Topics are always adapted to celebrate the seasons and we enjoy special events such as Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and other festivals such as Divali and Eid. In 2018/19, topics include People Who Help Us, Zargs World, Frozen, Into the Woods, Pirates and Biscuit Bears.
Specialist Teaching To complement these weekly activities, the children have the benefit of attending specialist classes in Ballet, Drama, French, Music and Physical Education (including Yoga and Write Dance) which are taught by fully qualified subject teachers from our Main School. They also have weekly Forest School sessions in our outdoor classroom, The Dell, with our qualified Forest School instructor.
Timetable MONDAY
French | Outdoor Learning
TUESDAY
Music | Sewing | PE
WEDNESDAY
PE/Yoga | Understanding the World
THURSDAY FRIDAY
Performing Arts | Write Dance Cooking | Forest School
Reception Class at Manor House School We aim to create a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment for the girls at our school. We provide the structure that girls need to develop good working habits, engage their interest and stimulate their desire to learn. Pupils benefit from having full access to whole-school facilities, including an assembly hall, a sports hall, a swimming pool, extensive playing fields, outdoor learning areas and specially designed cookery, music and drama rooms. Each class has a full-time teacher and a qualified teaching assistant. We are committed to maintaining smaller class sizes to get the best out of every girl. A broad, balanced curriculum allows us to celebrate and value creativity, whilst giving the girls plenty of time to develop at their own pace, with teaching tailored to the needs of each individual. Within the structured school day, our girls quickly gain self-confidence and enthusiasm for learning. Emphasis is placed on trying their best, being kind and respectful to others and having fun at school! We work hard to build a caring, family-style environment where our happy girls flourish in their learning and personal development.
Manor House School
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Our lady of Sorrows Church MANO R HOUS E LN
Howard Of Effingham School
King George V Playing Fields BR
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To London To Guildford