Prospectus

Foundation Years

 

Welcome

 

Everyone is welcome at Dunstable Icknield Lower School where we can all contribute to learning and continue to learn ourselves, for learning never stops!

 

If your child is to join us for the first time, welcome. We look forward to a happy and successful partnership over the coming years. If you already have a child here, or have had in the past, we are pleased to renew the links between us.

This booklet provides additional information on the setting, its aims, curriculum and activities. We hope you find it both interesting and useful.

 

Your child’s first experience will be in our Nursery, so we aim to make it as exciting as possible. In order to do this, we need your support to form a three way partnership – you, your child, and us.

We aim to provide a friendly, caring, happy and stimulating environment where learning will come naturally to your child. In return, we would like to adhere to our school code of conduct and support our efforts, ensuring your child has a good start on their path through our school and on into their future.

 

At Dunstable Icknield, we have a tradition of high expectations and this has resulted in high standards throughout the school, not only academically, but also in behaviour and conduct.

 

Our last Ofsted inspection (October 2004) was very positive finding tha Foundation Stage was a 'strength' of the school.

 

Admissions

 

Application for admission to the Reception Class should be made on the Bedfordshire Local Authority Application Form, which is available from the school.

 

Your child's name should be registered at the school for the Nursery class when they are approximately

2 1/2 years old. You will then be offerd an appointment to view the school. Children enter the Nursery class when they are approximately 3 1/2 years old. This process is preceded by highly valued home visits, which will be implemented by the Headteacher and members of the team. Children are also invited to spend time in school with their parents/carers

 

If there are more applications than places available at the school (60), places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria.

 

1. All 'looked after' children (see definition in main admission section under 'Organisation')

2. Pupils living in the catchment area

3. 'Very Exceptional medical grounds (see definition in main admission section)

4. Siblings (see definition in main admissions section)

5. Any other children

 

Parental Involvement

 

We look forward to getting to know you and developing a partnership with you. This will help to ensure that your child’s time at our school is successful, positive and enjoyable. We encourage parental help in the classroom and enjoy the support of a team of mums, dads and grandparents, who help with all aspects of the curriculum. All adults are CRB (police) checked. We cannot emphasize enough how highly valued this help is, so please don't be shy. Obviously it is better if you can commit on a regular basis, but any help would br much appreciated.

 

To help keep you informed, we aim to provide the following:

 

·         Regular newsletters

·         Coverage of work explaining in more detail your child’s activities

·         A sharing time for you to spend with your child in the classroom, from 8.50 a.m to 9.00 .a.m. each

         day

·         A notice board in the corridor with up to date information and newsletters.

·         Ongoing consultations with your child’s class teacher to discuss progress and  daily issues, 

           with formal evenings a year

·         A workshop where we focus on the teaching and learning of different subject areas and    

          philosophy of the foundation curriculum

·         A written annual report, detailing your child’s progress in all subjects, their strengths and areas  

         for development.

 

If at any time you have concerns or want to talk about your child's education or well being, please contact the class teacher to arrange an appointment 

 

The Curriculum

 

Our planning is topic based which is different each half term. It is closely linked to the Learning Intentions from the Foundation Curriculum. All six areas are available for children to access throughout the session, with focused tasks delivered during the session, these may be 1 to 1, small group or whole class and are based on structured play activities. These are balanced with teacher input and class discussions. The sessions are carefully planned to ensure maximum concentration at all times, mixing ‘listening’ times with ‘doing’ times.

 

 

Developing Independence

 

The children are given every opportunity to independently explore and experiment, with access to any materials and resources they require. We strive to create independent learners who can think for themselves , make choices and solve problems. Our role is to support and encourage and to extend their ability, through guidance, modelling, and questioning.

 

We aim to develop well-rounded pupils with a passion to learn. This will be addressed by delivery through planned and structured play, or teacher led activities. 

 

During your child's stay with us, they may participate in a variety of outings. This will include visits local parks and markets as part of the Knowledge and Understanding of the World area of the curriculum.

As you can imagine, we rely heavily on the goodwill and support of parent/carers and their families, to assist us on this very enjoyable and worthwhile excursions.

 

With the help of our hard working P.T.A., we now enjoy a beautiful Outdoor Classroom. This enables us to deliver all six areas of the curriculum both indoors and out. This is in line with the philosophy of the E.E.L (Effective Early Learning) project, which we are also involved in. This is a self evaluation tool which enables a setting to continually monitor progress and delivery, looking at the way children learn, and addressing the needs of the children, offering a wide, varied and interesting curriculum. The finished document is available for you to browse through. (see Mrs. Large). We have been awarded a quality assurance mark for the last three years and also the Investors in Children Award.

 

To assist your child through the Foundation stage, we ask that you provide a few necessary things:-

·         A school bag ( cost approx. £3.50p, available from the school office ) in which to transport 

          library  books, newsletters and any of life's little necessities when you are at big school !!

·         A sun hat for the summer. The school also has their own with logo ( helpful when left in shops and

          parks). We also ask that you apply sunscreen to your child , when necessary, before they come to

          school.

 

VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS

We also ask for voluntary contributions from children in the Foundation stage. The amount suggested is 25p per session and boxes can be found outside classrooms. As it is such an insignificant amount on its own, we find that most parents like to pay half termly. (One less thing to think about!) This can be by cheque or in cash. It helps us to provide the little extras in life and equipment purchased is always on display. (Cheques should be made payable to Dunstable Icknield Lower School).

 

MILK AND FRUIT

All children in the Foundation Stage are provided with a carton of milk and a piece of fruit each session. The fruit is different each day so we are able to offer a selection which we hope will appeal to your child. We do find that eating and drinking with peers often encourages children to try things they don’t usually take. It is not compulsory, but it is a sociable activity, and good time for adults to sit and chat to the children. Only milk or water is permitted. ( Soya milk for those with allergies may be brought in to drink, please see the teacher with any queries)

 

We hope this information has provided you with an insight into our setting. 

Please keep these things in mind.........

PLEASE feel free to see us regarding any concerns that you may have.

REMEMBER THAT THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD IS YOUR TIME AND THE BEST ACTIVITY TO SHARE IS TALKING!!

They cost nothing and can be done anytime, anywhere.

Your value as your child's first educator cannot be emphasised enough.

Let us work together to give your child the best possible start on their path through our school and on into life.

 

PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN PARTNERSHIP