Prospectus 2021

Mrs Heather Graydon Mrs Sharon Craig Nursery Teacher Nursery Assistant Nursery Prospectus

Fountain Primary School 18 Hawkin Street Londonderry BT48 6RD Telephone: 02871374909 Dear Parent I hope that this year in our Nursery will be the beginning of a very happy and enjoyable time for your child at Fountain Primary School and Nursery Unit. The aim of this booklet is to provide you with some general information about the school and some advice, which you may find useful when preparing your child for this new adventure. In the Nursery setting we seek to provide a secure, caring and attractive environment in which your child can grow in confidence and independence, and where he or she can develop a positive attitude towards learning. Every child will be encouraged to develop to his or her full potential, socially, emotionally and intellectually. We ask you to maintain close links between home and school. Please support us in helping your child bridge the move from home to school. Please note, information in this booklet is subject to change, depending on any Government restrictions which may be in place. Yours sincerely MRS CATHY ARTHUR PRINCIPAL 2

AIMS OF THE NURSERY 1. To create a safe, happy and caring environment in which the children can thrive and learn. 2. Through the NI Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education, to provide a broad, balanced curriculum based on a rich variety of play activities and other relevant experiences. 3. To provide active learning experiences in a stimulating and challenging environment, which will motivate each child and help develop an inquiring mind and an inquisitive attitude to learning. 4. To positively encourage children to approach tasks confidently and independently and develop their self-esteem and self control. 5. To teach children to share and co-operate and to help each child establish good relationships with others. 6. To involve the parents and to make them feel school is a part of their child's life in which they can get involved. 7. To help the children acquire a reasoned set of Christian values, beliefs and attitudes - developing a sense of fair play, tolerance, respect and responsibility towards other people, their views, attitudes and possessions. 8. To maintain, promote and develop the Christian emphasis and Church ethos of the three amalgamating Protestant maintained schools espoused by Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church, St Columb's Cathedral Church of Ireland and First Derry Presbyterian Church. 3

CURRICULUM The Nursery curriculum is designed to meet the physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs of young children. It is broad and balanced, giving children a wide variety of experiences, allowing them to make choices and develop their skills in the six areas of learning. The 6 areas of learning and development are as follows: 1. Personal, Social and Emotional development. 2. Language Development. 3. Early Mathematical Experiences. 4. Physical Development and Movement. 5. The Arts 6. The World Around Us The Nursery staff will strive to present children with a wide variety of experiences through lively, exciting activities. They will be introduced to early Language and Mathematical Experiences through structured play activities. They will be encouraged to express themselves creatively through art and craft activities, music and dance. They will be given opportunities to investigate, satisfy their curiosity and explore their environment inside and outside the classroom and through play in sand and water. They will be encouraged to develop skills of co-operation and problem solving. Each child will be encouraged to progress at his or her own rate and to the full extent of his or her abilities. 4

NURSERY RULES We have a few simple rules for the children in school. In Nursery we remember to ……….. 1. always be kind to each other 2. take turns 3. share with others 4. put things away 5. walk inside 6. use our indoor voice 7. sit quietly and listen on the carpet SCHOOL DAY School Day is from: Monday – Thursday = 8.55 a.m. to 1.45 p.m. Friday = 8.55 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Nursery doors open at 8.50 a.m. so please do not bring your child any earlier than this and no later than 9.15 a.m. At the end of the day please wait in the Foyer until a member of Nursery staff buzzes you in. At home time try to be at the school in good time as children soon become anxious if they are kept waiting. The Nursery doors will open 10 minutes before the end of the school day to allow for the smooth movement of people. SETTLING IN The settling of your child into the Nursery is very important. In order for children to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings, the number of hours your child spends in Nursery will be increased gradually. Please remember that some children may take longer to settle in than others. Where this is the case the Nursery Teacher will liaise with the Parent/Guardian to agree a more appropriate settling in timetable. 5

SCHOOL MEALS An important part of the Nursery day is their mid-day meal, which is served in the Nursery classroom between 11.35 a.m and 12.20 p.m. School meals will be a totally new experience for your child, but we will encourage them to try new things. If they consistently do not eat a sufficient amount we will inform you. Don't worry, most children enjoy the dinners and are willing to try new and different kinds of foods. Dinner money for the week should be brought in on a MONDAY morning. Money should be brought in the envelope provided with your child's name clearly marked on it. One school meal costs £2.50 (subject to change) and £12.50 for the full week. For parents in receipt of limited income your child may be entitled to free school meals. If necessary you should complete the included form and send it immediately to the Education Authority – Western Region, 1 Hospital Road, Omagh, BT79 0AW, as time is needed to process forms. NURSERY FUND A snack is provided for all children every morning. We operate a healthy eating policy at Fountain Nursery Unit and provide the following snacks:  milk or water  toast  assortment of bread  crackers and cheese  yoghurt  fruit The nursery fund is £1.50 per week, regardless of the number of days we are at school. The money goes towards providing a snack for your child and pays for small equipment such as seeds for planting, cooking ingredients, etc. The weekly total for dinner and break is £14.00 and can be sent in the same envelope on a Monday morning. 6

SCHOOL/HOME CONTACT Fountain Nursery Unit attempts to foster parental links in various ways such as invitations to concerts, meetings, fundraisers, school events and services in our three controlling churches. Our main form of communication will be online, via the School App (to be finalised), website www.fountainps.co.uk and Seesaw. You will receive more information about how to connect to the school app and Seesaw in due course. Newsletter & Songsheet A Newsletter and Songsheet will be uploaded onto the school website on a monthly basis. The Newsletter will help keep you informed about curriculum issues based around the theme for the month, and the songsheet will provide you with a list of the songs we will be singing in Nursery and which you can sing at home with your child. Monthly Learning Through our play in Nursery, children are always learning. The specific learning is listed at the front of your Monthly Newsletter. At the end of the month you will be provided with information to inform you what aspects your child was good at and which areas need further work. We would encourage you to help your child overcome any difficulties throughout the year. Getting Ready to Learn Throughout the year, Nursery staff will hold information sessions for Parents/Guardians to give you more details about this programme. These sessions will help you to understand the importance of:  reading to your child  physical exercise and  simple healthy snacks, as well as giving you the opportunity to sign up for this very worthwhile programme. 7

School Bag It is important for each child to have a school bag in Nursery every day so children can carry any artwork they have done home. Your child’s artwork and any other necessary paperwork will be placed into your child’s drawer in the classroom and they will then empty this at the end of the school day. Collection from Nursery Please inform staff if someone different than normal procedure is collecting your child. We will not release children to people we do not recognise if a note has not been received. It is important that you support the staff and your child by making sure that all of the arrangements made for your child are adhered to. After School Club An After School Club is available for Nursery, Primary 1 and Primary 2 children from 1.45 – 3.00 p.m. This service will only be available to Nursery children after Half Term in February (Monday – Thursday). This is to allow your child to settle fully into Nursery and get used to the long busy day. If you want to avail of this facility, which is in place to make travel/pick- up arrangements easier, please contact Nursery staff in January for a permission letter. Concerns If you have any concerns about your child in school, interviews may be arranged by telephone, a letter or by calling at the school. Don’t sit at home worrying about your child or discussing your problems with neighbours. MAKE AN APPOINTMENT and come and see the Nursery Teacher or Principal. 8

GRADUATION At the end of the year we hold a Graduation for those children moving into Primary 1. Throughout the year Nursery staff take photos of your child at play and these will be presented in a special book at the ceremony. Please note: Sometimes your child is in the photograph along with other children. If you would prefer that your child is not included in a photograph in another child’s photo album, please inform staff at the beginning of the school year. In order to cover the cost of these photos we ask that parents/guardians pay £5.00 at the beginning of the school year. 9

HELPFUL HINTS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD IN NURSERY One of the most important skills we value in Nursery is your child’s ability to be independent. In order to assist us in developing these skills here are some helpful hints.  Send your child in suitable clothing. Dungarees, belts and buttons on jeans are not at all practical for little ones who may be in a rush to go to the toilet. Jogging pants are ideal.  Polo shirts with short sleeves are ideal especially when children are involved in wet or messy activities. (Red or White)  Lace-up shoes and ankle boots are very difficult for children to manage. Please think of your child when choosing footwear.  Outside play is an important element of your child's physical development. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play every day. Also we ask that all children have a pair of wellington boots in school so that we can play outside in all weathers.  We recommend your child wears a school jumper, to protect his/her own clothes. These can be bought at Select Kidz, Spencer Road, Waterside. 10

On the first day please bring……  Fountain Primary School Website Consent Form  Seesaw Consent Form  Image Consent Form  Plaster Consent Form  Bus Code of Conduct Form (if required)  Complete change of clothes, including socks and underwear in a named P.E. bag which will be kept in Nursery. Little accidents do happen and the staff need to be prepared. Don’t forget to replace these if your child goes home in a different set of clothes.  Wellington Boots with your child’s name on both.  Box of tissues – these will be put in a central store for all children to share throughout the year.  £5.00 for photo album presented at Graduation PLEASE NAME ALL OF YOUR CHILD'S BELONGINGS 11

TRANSPORT TO SCHOOL Travelling on the school bus and walking up to Nursery can be a daunting time for children. Therefore if you are using the school bus, it is important that you travel with your child until he/she has settled in Nursery and feels confident enough to travel unaccompanied. A member of Nursery staff will discuss with you if they feel your child is not ready to travel unaccompanied on the bus. The School Bus Code of Conduct is provided within your pack and must be discussed with your child, signed and returned to school prior to using the bus. Please ensure safety on the bus at all times by teaching your child to sit correctly on the seat and wear the seatbelt provided. All school children must be safely seated, therefore please stand beside your child if no seats are available. The bus will stop at all main stops (list included in pack). All nursery children must be collected at their own bus stop to ensure the child’s safety. The bus service has been made to suit YOU THE PARENT. The Board of Governors has hired buses from SANDY ARTHUR so that all the pupils of Fountain Primary School can be provided with a tailor made bus service. WALKING TO SCHOOL It is school policy that no child in Nursery, Primary One or Two should walk to school or home unaccompanied. PARKING For the safety of children, parents are asked NOT to use the staff car park but to use the bus turning bay at the top of Wapping Lane or the car park at the top of the Fountain. 12

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY If your child is unwell please do not send your child to school. This is not only miserable for the child but other children could be infected. For Health and Safety reasons NO MEDICINE or medical treatment will be given to any child. If your child has a particular medical condition, please inform the school. Should a child become ill in school the teacher will contact the parents to make arrangements for getting the child home. PLEASE REMEMBER TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE IN THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS YOU SUPPLIED ON THE DATA COLLECTION SHEET. In the event of an accident which needs hospital attention, the teacher will try to contact the parents. You will be asked on the admission form to sign giving your consent for a member of staff to accompany your child to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, if we are unable to contact you. CHANGING AND TOILETING POLICY In order to comply with Child Protection Policy, we will ensure good practice is maintained in the toileting and changing (clothes) of children. Staff will inform another member of staff before changing a child’s clothing in another area/room. Staff will respect a child’s privacy and will encourage independence and good hygiene practice. A child’s clothing will only be changed if:  a toilet accident has occurred  a child is sick  a child’s clothes have become wet through play e.g. water, creative, outdoors Any parents who do not wish for staff to change/assist their child(ren) should make alternative arrangements. Parents who are happy for staff to change/assist their child(ren) should sign the consent form provided. Please also see the included Intimate Care Policy. 13