Greatstone School Nursery is the maintained nursery of Greatstone Primary School. When it opened in September 2007 it was based in a purpose built building at the rear of the school site. However, in September 2023 it was moved to its current home at the front of the school building and shares the space with Reception class.
We have worked tirelessly to create our Early Learning Zone which is home for thirty Reception aged children and has the capacity for forty children of nursery age daily.
The setting is a free flow environment which allows for a wide range of opportunities both indoors and out, where children can mix with peers of different ages and explore independently in a safe, well planned environment. The setting is lead by the reception class teacher who is the Early Year Lead, the nursery has its own full-time teacher and they work together to plan exciting and real experiences for all the children in the setting.
The Early Learning Zone is supported by the SEND team within the school and has a Family Liaison Officer who is there to offer advice and support for families all the way across the school. All children have a Key Person who is level III qualified and holds a first aid certificate which is kept up to date for safety of all the children and these adults work alongside the teachers, parents and specialist to meet the needs of all children in our care.
We follow Birth to Five matters as our non-statutory guidance when planning our challenging and fun curriculum and this ensures that adults are planning for children according to their stage of development and individual needs. We care greatly about the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning and have created an environment which has a combination of adult planned, specific teaching, as well as ‘in the moment planning’ which allows the children to take the lead in their own learning, supported by experienced and caring staff.
Staff
Jaclyn Kay – Head of School and DSL
Kate Bovingdon – Early Years Lead (Qualified Teacher Status and Early Years Professional Status) and DSL
Jemma Gorham/Rachel Turner – Early Years Teacher (Qualified Teacher Status)
Lisa Ashdown – Nursery Administrator
Claire Button – Family Key Person, Level 4 qualification
Denise Baker – Family Key Person, Level 3 qualification
Stacey Stilwell – Family Key Person, Level 6 qualification.
All staff have a current Level 3 Paediatric First Aid qualification