In our Early Years Department, boys and girls progress through Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception. We concentrate on providing each child with the very best foundational start in a nurturing and stimulating environment.
Our report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI – 2016) gave a glowing endorsement of the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage, with the overall quality and standards of the early year’s provision being judged as ‘excellent’ – the Ofsted equivalent of ‘outstanding’.
To read a copy of this report, please visit: http://www.isi.net/schools/6725/
PRE-NURSERY (TOTS)
Newbridge TOTS is our Pre-Nursery room and provides places for a maximum of 16 children per session. Pupils are accepted from the September after their second birthday.
Our experienced and well qualified members of staff consider your child’s individual needs, interests and stage of development and use this information to plan challenging and enjoyable experiences in all of the areas of learning and development. At this very early stage in your child’s educational journey we focus strongly on the three prime areas from the EYFS framework:
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development
• Communication and Language
These three prime areas reflect the key skills and capacities all children need to develop and learn effectively, and become ready for Nursery.
NURSERY
Children are accepted into our purpose-built Nursery, in the September following their third birthday. There are 24 places available in Nursery and children can attend for five mornings or any number of full days.
We recognise the importance of high-quality Early Years Education and concentrate on the individual by providing a high staff ratio.
There is an emphasis on practical activity, with excellent facilities for the children to enjoy. We believe we provide the perfect balance between learning through supported play and adult-led learning.
All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected. The three prime areas focussed on in Pre-Nursery are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships, and thrive.
In Nursery, the balance shifts towards a more equal focus on all areas of learning including:
• Literacy; including early reading skills
• Mathematics; including early number skills
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Art and Design
Newbridge also has beautiful grounds that provide an attractive and educational environment for both learning and play. As the year progresses the children are prepared for their move into full time school.
RECEPTION
The move from Nursery into Reception class is carefully managed to ensure a seamless transition. Our Reception class offers a wonderful start to full-time school. Our class numbers are deliberately kept to about 18, and the class has a qualified teacher and a qualified teaching assistant who work together towards the Early Learning Goals in the following areas:
• Communication and Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Physical Development.
French, PE and Dance are taught by specialist teachers who can provide a high level of expertise. From Reception, the boys and girls have one dedicated Information and Communication Technology lesson per week in the Computing suite.
Each child’s emerging needs and interests are responded to, and their development is guided through warm, positive interactions. The days are filled with a vast range of experiences with the opportunity to complete indoor and outdoor activities throughout the year.