Every day is a learning day at Mount Florida Nursery Class where we offer high quality learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Our Child Development Officers and Team Leader Miss Burns are highly experienced and motivated to provide a stimulating learning environment where children are actively engaged and learning through play. All children are supported to learn in ways that suit their individual needs and we have a friendly family atmosphere where we are happy to listen to ways we can support your child better.
We provide education for 3 to 6 year olds and can do this in partnership with child minders/other provision so that you have full use of your 1140 hours of funding.
Our nursery class was established in November 2001. The class accommodates 20 children in the morning only. Our sessions are three hours and 10 minutes long running from 8.40am to 11.50am, providing 600 hours provision over a term time year.
Image of the Child
At Mount Florida Nursery Class we pride ourselves on nurturing an image of the child that knows:
- I have a voice
- I belong
- I feel loved
- I am capable
- I am creative
The Curriculum
Our children are working at early level of Curriculum for Excellence with the aim to achieve this by the end of Primary 1, and earlier for some. We want to provide experiences that build children’s learning power so that they have solid foundations from which to grow.
According to the curriculum for excellence, the curriculum is the totality that is planned for children and young people throughout their education, in the following 4 contexts:
- Opportunities for personal achievement
- Interdisciplinary learning
- Ethos and life of the school as a community
- Curriculum areas and subjects
Co-constructing the curriculum
When planning for learning we start with the child and observe them at play. As attuned and interested adults, we ask ourselves:
- What does this child need (including stage of development)?
- What will take this child forward?
- What will motivate the child?
- How does/can this child have voice in their learning?
- What schema is this child displaying?
- How are they interacting with others?
Through sustained shared dialogue during play, the adult can also find out what the child is thinking and feeling, which cannot be found out from looking alone. The adult will use their knowledge of the curriculum to provide experiences and environments that match the needs of the learners.
Arrival and Collection of Children
Keeping our children safe is paramount. It is imperative that only the people named on the enrolment form drop off and collect your child. If there is a need, due to unforeseen circumstances, that another responsible adult will be collecting your child a member of staff must be informed. If this is not done your child will not be allowed into the other person’s care and you will be contacted to come and collect your child personally. This is necessary in order to protect your child. The adult who brings the child to nursery must sign in on the sheets provided, and note on the sheet who will be collecting the child. When the child is collected, the person who collects must sign the child out.
Suitable Clothing
Children should bring a pair of sandshoes or slippers to change into from their outdoor shoes. We provide children with waterproof hats, gloves, jackets and trousers, and request parents send children in warm clothes in winter and cooler clothes in summer. The clothes your child wears to nursery should be comfortable and practical. Please do not send your child to nursery in their ‘best clothes’ as they will be taking part in activities that can be messy! At times children need a change of clothes – we have a stock of suitable clothes but for those children who prefer to wear their own we suggest parents leave a change on their peg. In summer we would request you apply sun lotion in advance. We will provide a sun hat for your child that covers their neck and ears.
Excursions and Consent Forms
Opportunities for our children to explore new environments and experiences are a priority at Mount Florida Nursery. When outings for children are planned, the nursery staff will inform you in advance. On enrolment you will be asked to complete a consent form that gives your permission for your child’s participation. Please note that children cannot take part in outings unless a completed consent form has been submitted by the parent. We try to keep an adult to child ratio of at least 1:3 on excursions and therefore ask you to give some of your time to accompany us whenever you can to help us meet this ratio.
Emergency Contacts
Parents whose children are in the nursery class are asked to provide the school with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two contact persons for use in the case of emergency. Please ensure this information is kept up- to- date.
Snacks
The children receive a healthy snack each day at nursery which is provided by the catering company Cordia. Please inform the nursery if your child has any allergies or dietary requirements. The children are involved in shopping for snacks and ingredients for cooking and baking activities. They also receive free milk.
