- GENERAL INFORMATION
- All enquiries
and correspondence should be addressed to:
-
- Mrs Jenny Waters
- Headteacher
- Bexley Manor
Nursery
School
Telephone: 020 8309 6055
- 162 Penhill Road
- BEXLEY
- Kent
DA5 3EA
- waters@bmns.freeserve.co.uk
- Bexley Manor
Nursery School was established in 1984 by the current Headteacher, a
fully qualified infant teacher with more than twenty years teaching
experience. All other members of the staff are either trained
teachers, NNEB/NVQ3/BTEC nursery nurses, or have other qualifications
relevant to the welfare and education of pre-school children.
We also have a part time SENCO (Special Educational Needs
Co-Ordinator) who gives additional help to children with special
needs or disabilities and, where appropriate, liaises with speech
therapists, educational psychologists, etc.
- THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOOL
- The purpose of
the school is to give all children opportunities for learning and
advancement according to their abilities without restrictions because
of age.
- A good nursery
education gives a child a firm grounding for infant school, enabling
his/her first infant teacher to avoid having to spend a lot of time
introducing things with which the child could easily have coped at an
earlier age.
- Some of our
children attend a playgroup before starting nursery school. The
majority however attend nursery from the term in which they become
three, and increase the number of sessions attended after a term or two.
- Many of our
children go on to state primary schools and parents frequently report
that their child has done very well due to having the advantage of
being able to read and write before starting at primary school.
Over the years we have watched a large proportion of our children
achieve a high standard in the selection tests for secondary
schools. We believe this is partly due to the fact that
children showing above average ability on entering school will be
expected to continue to do well by future teachers, rather than
having to prove themselves capable of this later. Their self
confidence is also directly related to their efforts to do well and
this leads to a happier and generally positive approach to their own education.
- A number of
our pupils remain in the private education system and local private
schools are happy to take our pupils at the age of 5 even if they
have a nursery class attached to their own school. Some parents
prefer Bexley Manor because, unlike some other private schools, we do
not demand that a child attends 5 days a week from the age of 3!
Indeed we believe that this may deprive a child of extremely
valuable time with a parent or carer at an age when one-to-one
learning can be most advantageous.
- Our classrooms
are light and airy and each room is self-contained, having access to
toilets and wash-basins directly from the classroom, and with direct
access to the outdoor play area. The rooms have a homely feel
which the children find more friendly than a large hall. Each
room offers a similar variety of activities, including painting,
cutting, and sticking; floor toys; jigsaws; large and small
construction toys; drawing; tracing; small world (dolls' house etc);
and role play. Children are allowed to choose their own
activities for part of each session, and independence and helping
others are positively encouraged.
- A large hall
is available for use by each class in turn for PE, and for
opportunities to work with bigger construction toys and to use the
large role play area.
- Parental involvement
- Staff
recognise that parents are very busy people, and there is no
obligation or pressure to assist in the Nursery. However some
parents are willing and able to become involved, and there are
opportunities to assist staff with projects such as gardening,
sewing, and cooking, as well as to accompany children and staff on
outings or nature walks. It is the policy of the school that
parents working with the children are always supervised by members of
staff, all of whom have been police checked.
- Open
afternoons are held two or three times a year to enable children to
show their parents around their classroom and demonstrate some of
their "work" activities. All parents are invited to
the school in their child's final term, to discuss their transfer to
primary school and to have an opportunity to discuss and contribute
to the record sheets which will be passed on to the new school.
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- THE AIMS OF THE SCHOOL
- Our aim is to encourage
the emotional and social development and well-being of your child.
- Our Nursery
Nurses are especially concerned with settling the children in
speedily and ensuring that they are happy and content. Any
child who is unhappy or unwell can be sure of sympathetic care and
attention. Children are encouraged to share toys and apparatus
thoughtfully and good manners and consideration for others are
positively encouraged.
- The children
are given plenty of opportunity and encouragement for co-operative
and imaginative play. Self confidence and independence are also
developed, and children are given responsibility for their own
possessions where possible and the opportunity to take responsibility
for a small group of their peers, giving out pencils, biscuits, etc.
- Each child
works with a group of children and a member of staff for part of
every session. Although the children are the same age, their
abilities vary and a certain amount of their work is tailored to
their individual ability.
- Many of our
children reach a standard well above that which is suggested in
government guidelines. Our aim is to encourage each individual
child to achieve his or her full potential whilst enjoying the
opportunity to share learning and play experiences with his/her peers.
- Our younger
children are encouraged to work towards the pre-school curriculum by
increasing their ability to communicate with one another and with
adults. They are encouraged to become more independent in such
areas as putting on their own coats etc. They are also expected to
work with an adult in a small group for a short time, learning to
take turns at simple games or discussing an object or picture of
interest. The children enjoy these activities and staff are
trained to increase the children's concentration time gradually so
that their interest is always held.
- Ample
opportunity is given to all children to take part in activities of
their own choice. Weather permitting, all children spend time
in the garden during each session. We encourage an interest in
living things and the children grow plants as well as caring for pets
and studying insects, birds, and squirrels which frequent our garden.
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- THE CURRICULUM AT
BEXLEY MANOR NURSERY SCHOOL
- Our
curriculum has been followed successfully for many years and covers
all aspects of development recommended by the Government.
- PERSONAL,
SOCIAL, & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- The children
are given ample opportunity and encouragement in co-operative play
with their peers. Role play and turn taking together with rota
and monitor systems give a wide variety of opportunities for the
children to learn how to get along with one another. Good
manners and consideration for others are an important part of the
development of your child. Independence in dressing and
personal hygiene are constantly encouraged. We aim to work
alongside parents and carers, continuing the social development which
in itself brings happiness and satisfaction to every child.
- The children
are expected to show respect and consideration for people of other
cultures and beliefs. They learn to care for and respect living
things through growing flowers and vegetables in the Nursery garden
and caring for the Nursery pets.
- The children's
confidence in their own ability is demonstrated at our "Leavers'
concert" in which all children take part during their final term
at Nursery.
- Disciplinary
measures are rarely called for since the children are closely
supervised and potential confrontations can normally be avoided by
talking through the situation and encouraging children to share toys
and be thoughtful and kind towards one another.
- COMMUNICATION,
LANGUAGE, & LITERACY
- Activities are
designed to improve and build on the children's vocabulary and use of
the English Language. Children are encouraged to progress from
using single words, to phrases, to complete sentences. They are
expected to ask correctly for what they want and to work towards
expressing their feelings and opinions verbally. Their
comprehension of time and space is improved by work on comparisons,
e.g. under/over, up/down, in/out, larger/smaller, etc, and questions
such as "What did you do yesterday?", "Where are you
going tomorrow?"
- Children are
encouraged to develop their ability to write and form recognisable
letters and numbers using a variety of pens, pencils, crayons, chalk
etc for mark making during play. They are also shown the
correct formation of letters and numbers in a more formal teaching
approach. Emphasis is given to holding pencils correctly and
encouraging left to right movement across the page. All
children learn to write their name to the best of their ability and
work towards being able to compose and copy a sentence.
- The children
learn many classical Nursery Rhymes as well as lots of new ones.
They enjoy the traditional fairy tales as well as a rich assortment
of carefully chosen stories and poems, often linked to our weekly
themes. Story time is an important opportunity to encourage the
children to discover the pleasures of a well-stocked library.
Children are frequently to be found quietly enjoying the many bright
and colourful books with which the Nursery is equipped.
- Children share
books with adults in a one-to-one situation and in groups, taking
part in role play as well as listening to stories told by their peers
or staff. In this way they can be encouraged towards an
appreciation of reading and the world of books and also develop their
own imaginative skills. Emphasis is put on the phonic alphabet
and the children learn the sounds of the letters before starting to
read. When the child is ready, he/she begins to read using one
of the several reading schemes available in the Nursery.
Many children go on to reach a high standard of fluency and
expression. Books are taken home regularly, to be shared with
parents and friends and to enable the child to have plenty of
opportunity for repetition and learning.
- MATHEMATICAL
DEVELOPMENT
- The school
uses "Working towards level one" published by Hope.
This is a series of work sheets which is supplemented by a great deal
of practical work and individually set work for which children have
their own work books. Some of the topics covered are:
measurement and comparisons (bigger, smaller, longer,
shorter, heavier, lighter, etc.) matching and
sorting, number recognition and understanding,
colours, set theory and money.
- Children learn
to use and understand mathematical language to describe shape, size
and quantity. They learn to read and write numbers to 10 and to
use them in everyday situations. They are encouraged to examine
larger numbers and to consider the language needed for practical
activities involving addition and subtraction.
- KNOWLEDGE
AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
- Children are
encouraged to learn by discovery using water, sand, magnets, solid
shapes, soil, plants, construction toys etc. Discovery of the
world of nature is encouraged through the keeping of pets and plants
both indoors and out. The nursery garden and local walks are
explored and observed throughout the year. A variety of play
equipment, dressing up clothes, jigsaw puzzles and books are used to
reflect the cultures and religions of other nations and children are
encouraged to share their knowledge of their own and other people's
way of life.
- The children's
knowledge of technology is expanded by the use of construction toys
designed to encourage understanding of movement using wheels, cogs,
magnets, etc. Older children may use a cassette recorder to
listen to story tapes or record their own stories. A
'Geosafari' and a computer are also available for regular use by the
children. This is supported by 1:1 assistance from a student or
parent helper under guidance from staff.
- PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
- Our outdoor
play area offers a variety of different surfaces to enable the
children to experience learning opportunities through playing with
sand, water, cars, and bikes, as well as opportunities for gardening
and observing wildlife. P.E. sessions using climbing apparatus,
trampoline, hoops, balls, etc also take place outside when the
weather permits. Our newly constructed hall can be used to
supplement these activities during bad weather.
- CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
- Painting,
cutting, and sticking activities are incorporated into almost every
session, encouraging the children to develop their fine motor skills
at the same time as developing their imagination and creative
skills. A wide variety of two and three dimensional materials
are available to allow the children to use an assortment of mediums
to create their own art work.
- The use of
music is varied. We have a wide variety of instruments from
countries around the world. Singing is encouraged with the
learning of Nursery Rhymes and songs, many linked to counting.
Children are also given the opportunity to experiment in making their
own musical instruments. Listening to and interpreting music as
well as acting, story-telling, and role play are all used as ways of
encouraging creativity.
- ***********************
- We aim to
cover this curriculum with children attending Nursery five sessions
per week for at least three terms. Those who start later, leave
earlier, or attend only two or three sessions per week will obviously
cover only a proportion of the work described.
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- SESSION TIMES
- Parents may
choose Nursery Sessions from one of the following options:
- Option
1: Five morning sessions (Mon - Fri)
- Option
2: Five afternoon sessions (Mon - Fri)
- Option
3: Three afternoon sessions (Mon, Wed
& Fri)
- Option
4: Two afternoon sessions (Tues & Thurs)
- Children
initially attending option 4 progress to a different option after two
terms or the term in which they become four years old.
- Times
- In order to
accommodate parents' cars in our car park, each of our three classes
has a different start and finish time as follows:
|
Option 1 |
Class 1 |
8.45 - 11.45 |
|
|
Class 2 |
9.00 - 12.00 |
|
|
Class 3 |
9.15 - 12.15 |
|
Options 2, 3, and 4 |
Class 1 |
12.45 - 3.20 |
|
|
Class 2 |
1.00 - 3.35 |
|
|
Class 3 |
1.15 - 3.50 |
- Parents are
encouraged to car-share, in order to reduce the use of the car park
and to help protect the environment by reducing the number of car
journeys. Please let staff know if you are willing to share the
school run, so that we can put you in touch with other nearby parents.
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- POLICIES AND INSPECTIONS
- Policies
- The school is
required to hold written policies covering: Admissions,
Childhood Diseases (exclusions), Child Protection
Procedures, Complaints, Discipline, Emergency
Procedures, Equal Opportunities, Fire Drill, Health
and Safety, Policies, Parental Involvement, Record
Keeping, Special Educational Needs, and Staff Recruitment.
- All policies
are reviewed annually by the Headteacher and staff and are available
for inspection in the school office.
- Inspections
- The school is
inspected regularly by the government standards regulator - Ofsted -
and parents are given a summary of the findings of this inspection.
- Copies of the
full inspection report are available in the school office and local
libraries for inspection on request. The report may also be
found on this website by clicking here.
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- UNIFORM
- The school
uniform may be purchased from "Twinset", 165 Station
Road, Sidcup.
-
Telephone number: 020 8308 0504
- A limited
amount of second hand uniform donated by parents of past pupils is
available at much reduced prices, from the school office.
- The uniform comprises:
-
jade or navy polo
shirt (with Nursery logo)
-
jade sweatshirt or
navy cardigan (with Nursery logo)
-
navy jogging
trousers or shorts
-
white or navy socks
-
sensible shoes
with Velcro, buckle or lace fastening (not trainers, 'jellies'
or open-toed sandals)
- Children
attending more than two sessions a week (ie attendance Option 1, 2,
or 3) will also require a pair of black or white named plimsolls in a
bag, clearly named on the outside.
- In order to
increase the children's self confidence and independence we aim to
encourage them to be responsible for their own possessions such as
coats, hats etc. It is particularly important therefore that ALL OUTER
GARMENTS SHOULD BE CLEARLY NAMED
and your child's coat should be left at Nursery on the pegs
provided. This means that coats are available to be worn in the
playground, and we can also encourage the children to dress themselves.
- The school
provides aprons for painting and water play as well as cooking.
- Should your
child require a change of clothing whilst at Nursery this will be
supplied by the school and your child's own clothing will be sent
home for cleaning. We would appreciate the spare clothes being
washed and returned to the school within one week.
- Your child
will also need a Nursery School book bag, and these are available
from the office. Sun hats (legionnaire style with the Nursery
logo) are also available from the office.
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- HEALTH AND SAFETY
- The following
points are made for the benefit of all children and staff attending
Nursery and we do ask that you give them careful consideration.
- Sickness
- If your child
is unwell s/he may still ask to attend Nursery. Please do not
assume that because s/he wishes to attend s/he is well enough to do
so. A sick child is very likely to infect other children and
may also require more sleep and certainly more attention than can be
given by busy staff. This particularly applies to sickness and
diarrhoea but also to severe coughs and other highly infectious
ailments such as impetigo and conjunctivitis. If in doubt
please ring Nursery before
bringing your child as this is less distressing for the child than
being refused admission on arrival. A booklet covering
childhood ailments is available in the office and gives recommended
exclusion times, etc.
- If your child
is unable to attend Nursery due to illness or other circumstances a
phone call between 8.30 - 10.00 a.m. would be appreciated.
- If a child is
unwell or has an accident whilst attending Nursery we will contact
you as quickly as possible. Please ensure that the emergency
telephone numbers are kept up to date.
- Outdoor safety
- While waiting
for the door to open at the beginning of a session please supervise
your children closely. Cars are coming and going in our car
park all the time and young children can rarely be seen through a
rear window. Penhill Road is extremely busy at times.
- Should the car
park be full, parents are advised to park in nearby side roads, not
in Penhill Road.
- N.B. A
condition of our planning permission is that cars ALWAYS ENTER &
LEAVE THE PREMISES IN A FORWARD GEAR.
- Every effort
is made on our part to be punctual in admitting and discharging
children from the building and we appreciate the same co-operation
from parents in delivering and collecting children on time.
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- REGISTERING YOUR CHILD
AND VISITING THE SCHOOL
- Applications
are welcome from parents of all children regardless of gender,
nationality, colour, religion or disability. It is the policy
of the school to admit children with disabilities at the discretion
of the Headteacher and provided that sufficient provision can be made
for them that other children attending the Nursery are not deprived
of staff time and attention.
- To obtain an
application form and printed prospectus, please phone us on 020 8309
6055, or write or email to the addresses at the top of this section.
- Alternatively,
click here to download
an application form.
- Your
application form will be acknowledged and you will be notified of
your number on the waiting list which will give you some indication
of your chances of gaining admission for your child. We have
two admissions a year, in January and September, although children
may be admitted at other times if a vacancy occurs due to house moves
etc. Parents are advised to apply for a place at Bexley Manor
Nursery before their child's second birthday since there is a long
waiting list for places. There is no restriction on earlier
applications being submitted.
- Approximately
two months before your child is due to start Nursery we will contact
you with details of our vacancies. A home visit will be
arranged to discuss your child's needs in private and to give your
child a chance to get to know a member of staff on familiar
territory. You and your child will also be invited to visit the
Nursery for a morning or afternoon session. This will enable
you to observe the Nursery in action and your child will be
encouraged to take part in the activities available.
- Should you
wish to visit the Nursery prior to this you will be most welcome and
a member of staff will be happy to show you round. If you wish
to make a separate appointment to speak to the Headteacher outside
school hours we will be happy to arrange this.
- Once your
child is attending the school the Headteacher or her deputy is always
available to see you with or without an appointment when you drop off
or collect your child. If you have any suggestions or
complaints about the Nursery your comments will be welcomed.
Any member of staff will be happy to assist you if you have any
problems or queries relating to your child's welfare. Our aim
is to ensure that all the children are happy and keen to attend
Nursery, since this is the frame of mind which will best enable them
to benefit from the educational and developmental opportunities we
can offer them.
- Our school is
independently run and is not required to follow any council policies
regarding catchment areas. Parents travelling long distances
however are advised to consider involving their child in other
pre-school activities nearer to their home (e.g. Tumble Tots) to give
the child the opportunity to form friendships which may continue when
the child attends primary school.
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- SCHOOL FEES AND
AVAILABLE GRANTS
- Early Years Grants
- Bexley Manor
Nursery School is registered with the LEA to accept three and four
year old children who qualify for an Early Years Grant. This is
a non-means-tested grant available to everybody provided your child
is old enough and not also attending a state nursery.
- Where the
grant is applicable parents are requested to pay an additional fee to
include the additional services supplied by Bexley Manor Nursery
(including our purpose built building; high quality, qualified staff;
a good pupil:teacher ratio and SEN support worker; extended session
times etc). This fee represents the difference between the
grant and the full fee and is shown in brackets in the table
below. It is payable on or before the first day of each term.
- Any increase
in fees is made at the beginning of the school year and the fees then
remain fixed for the academic year.
- Fees from
September 2008
- Option 1
(Monday to Friday mornings)
-
£76.80 per week
- Option 2
(Monday to Friday afternoons)
-
£64.00 per week
- Option 3
(Monday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons) -
£38.40 per week
- Option 4
(Tuesday & Thursday
afternoons)-
£25.60 per week
-
|
Option |
Autumn term 2008 |
Spring term 2009 |
Summer term 2009 |
|
1 |
£1,059.85
(£501.80) |
£921.60
(£363.60) |
£937.00
(£379.00) |
|
2 |
£883.20
(£325.20) |
£768.00
(£210.00) |
£780.80
(£222.80) |
|
3 |
£524.80
(£190.00) |
£460.80
(£126.00) |
£460.80
(£126.00) |
|
4 |
£358.40
(£135.20) |
£307.20
(£84.00) |
£320.00
(£96.80) |
|
Children aged 3
years or over at the end of the month prior to the commencement of
each term are entitled to Free Education Funding (formerly known as
Nursery Education Grant). The fees shown above in brackets
cover additional facilities, staffing, and session times, above and
beyond the Government requirements. Children under the age of
three at the required dates will be required to pay the full termly
fee. (This may be paid half termly, monthly or weekly by arrangement) |
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- SCHOOL
TERM AND HOLIDAY DATES - SUMMER 2008 TO SUMMER 2009
-
|
Summer term 2008 |
Monday 21
April - |
Wednesday 23 July |
|
Half term |
Monday 26 May - |
Friday 30 May |
|
Bank Holiday |
Monday 5 May |
|
|
|
|
|
Autumn term 2008 |
Tuesday 2
September - |
Friday 19 December |
|
Half term (2 weeks) |
Monday 20 October - |
Friday 31 October |
|
|
|
|
Spring term 2009 |
Monday 5
January - |
Friday 3 April |
|
Half term |
Monday 16 February - |
Friday 20 February |
|
|
|
|
Summer term 2009 |
Monday 20
April - |
Tuesday 21 July |
|
Half term |
Monday 25 May - |
Friday 29 May |
|
Bank Holiday |
Monday 4 May |
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