Gad's Hill School - Nursery Unit

Welcome to Kindergarten

This is where your child’s journey of discovery and love of learning begins. Children can join our Nursery (KN) setting when they are three. There is an established transition into the next step of Early Years into our Reception class (KR). Children are then ready for the next stage in their journey and move happily into K1 and then K2 known as Key Stage 1.

We work in partnership with parents to ensure the very best can be provided for the children, both pastorally and academically. We place great emphasis on academic success but also the emotional and social aspects of development. We aim to create individuals that are resilient, well-rounded members of society. Manners and being a good friend are valued and recognised.

From KR children have Music, Spanish, PE and ‘Music and Movement’ taught by specialist teachers weekly, and also have the opportunity to utilise our outdoor Forest School setting.

KN and KR (Early Years)

In our caring and stimulating environment, we place emphasis on building confidence, establishing relationships and learning through play. Learning through play in the Early Years Foundation Stage is child led but skilled, experienced staff are there to provide gentle encouragement and to challenge and inspire young learners. Our friendly, approachable staff have extensive experience in the care of young children and will ensure that all your child’s needs are fulfilled.

Parents are welcome to contact class teachers and are given updates via our online Tapestry system. We recognise the importance of knowing our children and families so that we can work collaboratively to provide a stimulating education.

Please visit our website for further details: https://www.gadshill.org/kindergarten/

Who to contact

Contact Name: Mrs T Marks
Contact Position: Admissions Manager
Telephone: 01474 822366
E-mail: info@gadshillschool.org
Website: https://www.gadshill.org/

Where to go

Address: Gad's Hill School
Gravesend Road
Higham
Kent
Postcode: ME3 7PA

When is it on?

When is childcare available

Term Time Only, Flexible

Carescheme Age Range:: 3 year(s), 0 month(s) to 5 year(s), 0 month(s)

Opening Times

Opening Times
Day	Opening Time	Closing Time
Monday	08:00	18:00
Tuesday	08:00	18:00
Wednesday	08:00	18:00
Thursday	08:00	18:00
Friday	08:00	18:00

Other Details

ECD Type

Nursery Unit of Independent School

Offers pickups

Cost details

Contact provider for details

3-4 Year Old Funding?

Yes

Vacancies Details

Please contact our admissions department for the latest vacancy information.

Immediate vacancies?

Yes

Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?

Yes

Vacancy Information Last updated Date

21/02/2023

Facilities

Swing, Computers / It, Drama, Toys/dolls, Dressing Up, Dance, Team Games, Discussions / Talks, Themed Sessions, Trike, Environmental Area, Tv/video/dvd, Trampoline, Ecology, Water Play, Gym, Games / Puzzles, Visits and Outings, Garden, Walks, Healthy Living, Woodwork, Internet Connection, Library - Storytimes For Children Aged 2-4 Yrs, Library - Children's Library, Library - Storytimes For Children Aged 3-5 Yrs, Music, Messy Play Area, Outdoor Adventure Play Area, Nursery, Outdoor Activities, Play House, Parks/playgrounds, Puppets, Play Room, Sandpit, Arts And Crafts, Scooter, Reading, Air Conditioned, Refreshments, Books, Sign Language / Makaton, See-Saw, Bike, Car Parking, Soft Play Area, Songs, Bushcraft, Slide, Camping, Climbing Frame, Stories, Climbing Ropes, Sports, Squash

Notes

Pastoral Care

At Gad’s Hill School, we know that outstanding pastoral care and academic success go hand in hand: ambitious learners thrive in a community that nurtures, respects and supports every individual while challenging them to achieve their best.

Our idyllic, leafy and spacious school campus is an oasis from the modern world, where children’s well-being is always a priority. Every child has a form tutor who will guide and support them, and who serves as a first contact for parents. In the younger years, your child’s form tutor will be at the classroom gate to welcome them in each morning and every day begins with a form time or communal singing and celebration in a school assembly. As children grow through the school, tutors take a lead in the development of growth mind-set techniques and progress towards both social and academic SMART targets.

Pastoral support, however, is not limited to the form tutor. In small class sizes, all our teachers can identify and respond rapidly to concerns when they arise. Their superb knowledge of each child means that, unlike in some other settings, an issue does not need to become a crisis before it can be resolved.

On commencement at Gad’s Hill, every pupil is placed in one of three Houses. Our House system provides the opportunity for children to work together in friendly competition, organising sports teams, drama performances and charity fundraising events. Within this structure, we take every opportunity to encourage children to take on their own leadership and this is another facet of our pastoral care: it has always been our belief that when you entrust children with responsibility and make evident your faith in them, they will very rarely let you down.

Indeed, one of the happiest features of our community is the manner in which our children look out for each other. From our Upper School students supporting Kindergarten pupils with their reading or helping run their Sports Day to our highly successful school councils and pupil mentoring systems, or even just the friendships that span year group divides, ours is a school of a noticeable positivity and mutual care.

Regular Well-Being Days, as well as assemblies and our SMSC curriculum, teach children the importance of looking after themselves and the link between mental and physical health. Children learn to stay safe, online and in the real world, and how to be resilient in the face of adversity. Recent Well-Being Days have given pupils the opportunity to dance, paint, bake, meditate and much more alongside the usual curriculum.

The school actively promotes the fundamental values and ethos that we hold dear and we are proud of our diverse, vibrant and inclusive community.

School Nurse

Our school has a full-time Nurse who can provide support and connections to children and families who need them and a large number of our colleagues are qualified first aiders and many, especially those working with our Early Years pupils, hold current paediatric first aid qualifications. There are also several fully trained safeguarding leads who work together and with all staff to keep the whole school safe.

Mrs Louise Furby RGN RM

“My name is Louise Furby and I began my nursing career 14 years ago. My background is Rapid Response in Adult Nursing, Midwifery and more recently School Health. School Nursing has always been something that I’ve been passionate about and I always knew that at some point in my life I would pursue a career as a School Nurse. I am so honoured to be a part of such a wonderful and caring community. It is my goal here at Gad’s Hill to keep the children healthy, safe, in school, and ready to learn. Below are a number of links that I hope will be of use to families but I truly believe that communication is key, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns”.

School Health – Kent

Kent County Council – Mental Health

MoodSpark – Supporting Emotional & Mental Health

The Be You Project

Kooth – Your Online Mental Wellbeing Community

Languages Spoken:

English

30 Hours Extended Entitlement

Registered to provide up to 30 hours entitlement: No
30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement): Please note we only offer the 15 hours per week Free Early Years Education Entitlement. We do NOT offer the 30 hours per week pattern. Sessions in addition to the 15 hours free early years education are charged at our standard rate. Full details are available here: https://www.gadshill.org/admissions/fees/