Early Years 2023/24 Handbook

Early Years 2023/2024

WELCOME

A very warm welcome to the Early Years at Stroud School. All our children experience a breadth of opportunities, both indoors and out, and are encouraged to make the most of their talents and abilities.

In the Early Years, we provide the children with a warm and friendly environment, where the children feel safe and settled to play, learn and explore. We really value each child’s interests and questions, and utilise these to support them in their development. Our stimulating and challenging provision instils a love of learning and enables the children to progress in all areas of the EYFS curriculum; ensuring they have a solid foundation on which to build their future learning.

I hope you find the following information useful. Further details can be found on our website https://stroud.kes.school/

Jo Humphreys Head of Early Years

Please do contact your child’s form tutor should you need any further information.

Nursery

Lucy Graves - lg@stroud-kes.org.uk

Reception

Jo Humphreys- joh@stroud-kes.org.uk

Rachel Hansen- reh@stroud-kes.org.uk

Phillipa Roberts - pr@stroud-kes.org.uk

EARLY YEARS TEAM

The Early Years team are really looking forward to welcoming your family to Stroud and getting to know your child.

The Nursery Manager oversees all of the Nursery children. Each child will also be allocated a ‘Key Person’ who will work closely with you and your child.

The Reception teachers are the ‘Key Person’ for the Reception children and they are supported by a learning support assistant.

We also have a dedicated outdoor learning support assistant who, along with your child’s teacher, supports your child in their outdoor learning.

The children will interact with all the staff within the department and will get to know the specialist teachers too.

We operate an open-door policy, so please feel free to speak to us at drop-off or pick-up. If you would like to discuss something at greater length, please contact us to make an appointment. Please always share any concerns or worries you have with us.

THE CURRICULUM IN EARLY YEARS

The Early Years curriculum is rich, engaging, exciting and challenging. We believe that children learn best through play and puposeful first-hand experiences, so we give them plenty of opportunities to learn in this way.

Children are encouraged to discover, question and relish their learning, in order to gain a deeper understanding in all areas of the curriculum. The Early Years curriculum is divided into seven areas:

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

We value the importance of teaching the children knowledge, but also recognise the importance of enabling the children to develop skills. These will support them throughout their education and beyond. The skills on our Stroud Learning Wheel are embedded in our everyday provision. Along with promoting a growth mindset, your child will be acquiring lifelong skills and knowledge whilst enjoying rich and varied provision.

Our children become more powerful learners through our 5c’s approach, which concentrates on learning dispositions. The 5c’s are thoughtfully woven into every aspect of life at Stroud. The 5c’s are: Collaborative, Curious, Creative, Considered and Committed.

LEARNING AT STROUD

The children are taught through a mixture of adult-led and child-led sessions. Children learn best when they are highly engaged and motivated. We utilise the children’s interests and questions to develop their learning, as well as exposing them to new interests and opportunities for discovery.

Our curriculum is enriched through trips and visits as well as whole school events such as ‘Languages Day’. During these events the children take part in themed activities that provide inspiration and develop skills such as collaboration and communication.

At Stroud we encourage our children to be ready, aware and kind.

Our facilities offer a wide range of exciting indoor and outdoor learning areas. All our classrooms lead out to a covered outdoor classroom and this then leads onto a large garden area. At the bottom of the garden is Little Meadow, our nature area. Many of our children choose to learn outside, so there are as many opportunities to learn and discover outdoors, as there are in. Beyond the Early Years area is a sports hall, swimming pool, farm and Forest School area, which our children access throughout the week. The children are taught by specialist teachers for PE, Swimming, Yoga, Ballet, Music, Forest School and in Reception, French.

DAILY ROUTINE

Early Years is located within the Elizabeth Sanger-Davies building. The core teaching day is from 09:00 until 15:30 Monday to Friday.

Wraparound care is available from 07:45 until 17:30 Monday to Friday.

• 07:45 - 08:15

• 08:15 - 08:30

• 08:30 - 09:00

• 09:00

Breakfast in the Dining Room (no booking required)

Early Birds in the Early Years library

Arrival

Registration

If you arrive at school later than registration, we ask that you register your child at Reception in Highwood House. If you need to collect your child during the school day, please go via Reception to collect them.

• 09:10 - 10:45

• 10:45 -11.05

• 11:05 - 12:00

• 12:00

• 12:05 -13:15

• 13:15

• 13:15 - 15:30

• 15:30

• 15:30 - 16:15

• 16:30 - 17:30

•

Morning session

Playtime

Morning session

Nursery morning session ends - children collected

Lunch in the Dining Room followed by playtime

Registration

Afternoon session

Home time

After-school care (pre-booked via the Parent Portal)

Tea (pre-booked via the Parent Portal)

If you arrive at school later than 5.30pm, your child will be in Highwood House supervised by a member of Senior Staff.

ASSESSMENT

Your child’s progress will be continually monitored throughout the academic year. This is done through informal, day to day observations. In the Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms, you will have the opportunity to attend a Parents’ Evening to discuss your child’s progress.

You will also receive a full report detailing your child’s progress at the end of the Summer Term.

Individual learning needs are supported by our SENDCo. The SENDCo will liaise closely with the class teachers and parents to ensure that all children are given the support required and the opportunity to succeed.

WAYS TO HELP AT HOME

You can support your child by following their interests and learning alongside them. Model being an enthusiastic learner and relish in the joy of discovering new things together.

Reading with your child is vital. Research shows it is the single most important thing you can do to help your child’s education. It is best to read little and often, so try to put some time aside every day.

Think of ways to make reading fun - you want your child to learn how pleasurable books can be. Books are not just about reading the words, they can also present new ideas and topics to discuss together.

Children make sense of things when they have a purpose and can see the practical application. Therefore, it is important to show how we use skills such as maths in our everyday lives and involve your child in this. Identifying problems and solving them together can help your child develop their mathematical skills.

For example:

• lay the table together and talk about how many of each item is required

• when you take your child shopping, talk about different quantities.

• play games that involve numbers and dice.

• spot quantities when you are out and about and numbers on road signs and on houses

• cook together, weighing and measuring ingredients

MEDICAL

If your child is unwell, please fill in the absence request form on the Parent Portal: https://my.stroud-kes.org.uk/login

Any pupil who becomes unwell or injured during the school day is referred to one of our school nurses. If necessary, you will be contacted to discuss the best course of action. Small bumps and scrapes are managed within our setting by our trained staff and you will be informed of these at collection time.

Medicines, including cough linctus, anti-histamine, paracetamol and ibuprofen preparations, will only be administered to children when there is permission to do so.

If your child requires medication whilst at school, their medicine should be given to one of our school nurses in the medical room. A ‘short term medical needs administration of medication form’ must be completed. Please see Matron for these forms, or they can also be collected from the school office.

If your child is prescribed antibiotics, please ensure they have had 24 hours of the course before returning to school.

If your child has sickness or diarrhoea, they must be 48 hours clear of the last symptoms before returning to school. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature (>38 degrees), should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can, to reduce the spread of infection. They can return to school when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

Stroud School is Allergy Aware and caters for pupils with a wide range of medical needs, including, but not limited to, gluten intolerance (Coeliac), nut and peanut, egg, and dairy allergies. We also cater for a wide range of cultural dietary requirements. Foodstuffs containing nuts should not be brought on site to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Parents are requested to clearly label all food brought on site that may be shared or sold for charity events. Food brought in for celebrations i.e. birthdays, should be clearly labelled and handed over to the form teacher.

Water bottles

Birthdays Sun Protection

Your child is allowed to drink water whenever they require throughout the day. We ask in Nursery that they bring in a reusable plastic bottle that they can easily identify and is labelled with their name. In Reception the children have the Stroud water bottles which also need to be labelled. Stroud water bottles are available from Stevensons. These should only contain water please. The water bottles go home each day to be washed.

Birthdays are important days for the children and we enjoy sharing these special days with them.

Children are welcome to bring in cakes or sweets for their birthday, but these must be nut-free, in accordance with our allergy awareness policy. It must be clearly labelled and handed to the class teacher.

On sunny days, ‘once a day’ sunscreen should be applied at home prior to coming to school. However we would also ask that you send in a named bottle of sunscreen so that your child may re-apply it later on in the day, especially after swimming. Children should bring in their school hats.

Holiday Requests

Requests for absence should be made through the Parent Portal.

COMMUNICATION

Stroud is a vibrant school, with lots happening every week. We share our exciting news stories in the following media:

The Stroud Bulletin

A round up of all information and news is emailed to parents every Friday evening, replacing individual letters. This also contains essential information about the following week and upcoming events.

Twitter (@Stroud_school)

News stories as they happen.

Facebook (@Stroudschool)

News stories for you to share with your friends and family.

Instagram (@stroudschool)

News stories as they happen.

Tapestry

We also use an online learning journey and will send you observations about your child via this. You will be sent an email explaining this further, along with a link to follow.

School Website stories page: https://stroud.kes.school/67/latest-news

PARENT PORTAL

The Stroud Parent Portal provides direct information to families about their child and the school.

Inside this secure area, parents can access information about the school, such as the calendar, as well as child specific information including timetables and school reports.

Parents’ evenings, clubs and after school care are all booked through this system. Please report your child absent from school or request a leave of absence on the home page.

The Portal can be found at https://my.stroud-kes.org.uk/login. When joining the school, you will be sent the link to register and the details to log in for the first time. Please note: this will be sent within the first week of the summer holidays.

SSA - STROUD SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Every parent automatically becomes a member of the Stroud School Association (SSA). Our aim is to organise social events for the children, families and staff to help build the strong community and friendships that make Stroud such a special place. All the funds we raise from events such as the Christmas Fayre, Prosecco Party and Easter Egg Hunt are used to fund projects for the benefit of the children.

If you are interested in helping the SSA, please join the SSA Volunteers group on Classlist, or email us on thessacommittee@gmail. com if you would like more information about joining the committee.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTION REPORT

In December 2019, Stroud achieved ‘Excellent’ – the highest possible grading – in its latest Focused Compliance and Educational Quality Inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI).

The top grading was achieved in both academic achievement and personal development, and was recognised as such from Nursery to Year 8. The ISI is the Ofsted equivalent for independent schools, approved by the Department for Education. This was the first inspection of this type that the school has had since 2011 and follows a Regulated Compliance Inspection in 2017 which the school passed with no recommendations.

A copy of the full inspection report can be found on our website:

https://stroud.kes.school/19/isi-inspection-report

POLICIES

All of our school policies can be found on the Stroud School website:

https://stroud.kes.school/402/policies

STROUD MAP

RECEPTION UNIFORM

Uniform A

• Stroud navy coat

• Stroud navy waterproof jacket and trouser set

• Black leather shoes

• Wellie boots

• Wellie socks

• Water bottle

• Stroud bookbag (Nursery to Year 2)

• Stroud rucksack optional KS1

Winter

• Stroud tartan pinafore

• Stroud green crew neck jumper

• Collared, short sleeve white blouse

• Navy tights / Long navy socks

• Stroud green knitted hat

• Gloves

Summer

• Stroud tartan dress

• Stroud green cardigan

• White ankle socks

• Stroud green sunhat

Please note:

• Uniform is either A or B, and not a combination of both on the same day

Uniform B

• Stroud navy coat

• Stroud navy waterproof jacket and trouser set

• Black leather shoes

• Grey ankle socks

• Wellie boots

• Wellie socks

• Water bottle

• Stroud bookbag (Nursery to Year 2)

• Stroud rucksack optional KS1

Winter

• Stroud green/white striped short sleeved shirt

• Stroud green crew neck jumper

• Mid-grey school trousers

• Stroud green knitted hat

• Gloves

Summer

• Stroud green/white striped short sleeved shirt

• Stroud green crew neck jumper

• Mid-grey school shorts (not cargo style)

• The change to summer uniform is after the Easter Holidays. If the weather is warm up to the Autumn Half-Term, summer uniform may be worn at the beginning of the Autumn Term. Winter uniform should be worn exclusively after Autumn Half-Term

• Children with long hair should have it tied back with black, navy or green hair accessories

• Please put a spare change of clothes including underwear and socks into the bottom of your child’s kit bag for emergency use

LOST PROPERTY

Please ensure all uniform is clearly labelled with your child’s name. Lost property will be collected and stored in cupboards on the mezzanine floor in the ASD. Please look here for any items misplaced. Please view the lost property list Stroud School (stroud-kes.org.uk)

UNIFORM SUPPLIER: STEVENSONS

All items * are to be purchased from Stevensons. You can order from Stevensons in the following ways:

1. Order online at www.stevensons.co.uk

To register, enter ‘Stroud School’, select and follow instructions.

2. Shop in store.

For expert fitting advice and a range of other school essentials’ visit our Bournemouth branch; open 9.00am-5.30pm

Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

148-150 Seabourne Road, Bournemouth, BH5 2JA

T: 01202 425192

E: bournemouthbranch@stevensons.co.uk

3. Telephone orders

Call Customer Services Department on 01727 853262 and choose option 1. Available 9.00am-5.30pm Monday-Friday and 9.00am-5pm on Saturdays. Items will be posted to your home address.

Please direct any queries regarding uniform to: nearlynewuniform@stroud-kes.org.uk

Nearly new uniform items can be viewed or purchased at https://stroudschool.square.site

SPORT IN NURSERY & RECEPTION

We deliver an enriched and inclusive sports programme, providing pupils with the opportunity to participate in both inter and intra-school sport as they progress up the school. Enjoyment and inclusion at all levels of competition are central to our ethos. We are extremely proud of the range of opportunities and our performance pathways, empowering pupils to learn, develop and thrive beyond their expectations. All pupils are encouraged to do their best, whatever their level of sporting ability, and we celebrate each individual journey.

Pupils are taught by specialist sports staff, and are supported by wider school staff for fixtures, tournaments and festivals. Our departmental aim is to enhance the pupils’ exposure to a range of sports and activities, enabling them to develop a lifelong love of sport and well-being.

Mr J Parker Director of Sport

Sport at Stroud aims to:

• Provide opportunities for all, regardless of ability

• Develop enjoyment, creativity, teamwork, discipline, respect, independence and sportsmanship

• Encourage team spirit and identity

• Promote the importance of physical fitness and exercise

• Develop physical, psychological, tactical and technical skills

• Develop skilful, committed, competitive and intelligent performers

• Introduce a wide variety of sports to build confidence and a platform for the future

• Promote links with local sports clubs to support pupils’ development

FACILITIES

Facilities

Wellington Sports Ground

Wellington sports ground is shared with King Edwards VI School, Southampton, and consists of 33 acres of playing fields, six tennis courts, four netball courts and a full-size water based astro, allowing the school to host large tournaments and play a range of schools on a regular basis. A large pavilion with eighteen changing rooms, a kitchen and catering facilities for over one hundred students is also located on-site.

Main Field

Our main field, set at the entrance of our rural green environment with the backdrop of the main house, hosts five football pitches, seven rugby pitches, two all-weather cricket fields and outdoor cricket nets. There is also an all-weather synthetic track and long jump pit and grass running track for athletics.

Sports Hall

The school has a full-size sports hall equipped with a large viewing gallery, changing rooms indoor cricket nets, a netball court, a basketball court and four badminton courts. Outside the building, we have two netball courts and two tennis courts.

Swimming Pool

Stroud School has a heated outdoor swimming pool which is used in the Summer Term for all year groups.

NURSERY UNIFORM AND RECEPTION SPORTS KIT

Accessories and Equipment

Stroud drawstring kit bag (Recepion only)

Small rucksack (any) for Nursery spare kit

Stroud water bottle (Reception only) Own bottle (Nursery) All

Flip flops/crocs/goggles/towel/dressing gown for swimming Summer

Naming Sports Kit

• All items of clothing need to be clearly named with woven name tape, indelible marker or printed labels

• Shoes, trainers and boots need to be named with indelible ink or printed label

Nursery also require:

• Stroud navy coat

• Stroud navy waterproof jacket and trouser set

• Wellie boots

• Wellie socks

• Stroud bookbag

• Stroud green knitted hat - winter/ Stroud green sunhat - summer