What matters in the Early Years?

From an early age children at Sidcot are encouraged to be curious about the world, think creatively and develop questioning minds. We encourage them to see school as a place to explore and experiment, to follow their instincts and develop their interests.

Young children learn most effectively when they are actively involved in a rich, stimulating curriculum which offers high quality first hand experiences. We provide a wide range of activities, both indoors and outdoors, with a balance of teacher directed and child initiated activities.

Early Years consists of a Nursery class and Reception class, each with a maximum class size of 16 pupils. Both classes have access to a well equipped outdoor area which is partially covered and has a mud kitchen!

What matters in the Early Years?

Our Nursery and Reception children make use of many of the Senior School facilities such as the Refectory, the swimming pool, Library and Drama Studio, as well as the lovely woodland Forest School.

The children in Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. In practice this involves play and activities designed to develop skills and talents in literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design. Teaching within these areas addresses the three prime areas of the curriculum: Communication and Personal, Social and Emotional Development.

Nursery

This is where the Sidcot journey starts. On the children’s first day the Nursery teacher will already be a familiar face. We offer home visits and taster sessions to ensure that the transition between the home and school is a happy one. It is important that a partnership with the parents is established very early on. Parents often help with swimming, reading, trips and special activities. Every term parents get together with their child’s teachers to share information, celebrate successes and plan the next steps. Teachers also invite parents to a termly coffee morning where they can discuss any questions they may have about the curriculum or school life.

Children can join our Nursery in the term that they are three. We expect children to start with a minimum of three sessions with the recommendation that this incorporates a whole day. There is a full time qualified Nursery teacher supported by a full time teaching assistant in the class. More staff are employed if the numbers increase so that we maintain our staff to pupil ratio of 1:8.

Popular activities include creative arts, cookery, dance, swimming, music, PE and outdoor play.

Morning session: £19.508.45am to 11.45am (drop off from 8.30am)

Afternoon session: £19.50 12.45pm to 3.30pm (children can join the after school club until 4.30pm at no extra charge)

Lunch: £2.50 (three courses with hot and cold options)

Charges include activities such as swimming lessons, music and dance, Forest School and PE. Free snacks are provided at break times.

Please see website for the most up to date information.

Nursery information

Reception

Children join our Reception class in the September after their fourth birthday. All children are expected to attend school full time in order to maximise the benefits of the rich and varied curriculum we have to offer. School starts at 8.30am and finishes at 3.30pm. Pupils can take part in the After School Club free of charge until 4.30pm. There is one full time teacher supported by one full time teaching assistant, maintaining a staff to pupil ratio of 1:8 and maximum class size of 16.

Any child beginning their Sidcot journey in Reception would be offered a home visit and a taster day prior to their start.

In Reception the children have specialist French lessons once a week as well as attending school assemblies and singing practices.They make use of the Senior School facilities such as the Refectory, the swimming pool, Arts Centre, Library and Drama Studio.

The termly fee for Reception is £2,320 – see website for further details.

Out of School Care

To make life as easy as possible for parents and carers, we offer a breakfast club for Nursery and Reception children from 8am, and after school care until 6pm. At 5.30pm children go to the Refectory for supper.

Breakfast Club: 8am to registration – £2

After School Club: 4.30pm to 6pm – £2 per half hour (after 4.30pm)

Supper: 5.30pm to 6pm – £2

Latest pick up time is 6pm.

Early Years Funding

Sidcot accepts Local Authority Early Years Funding.This offers 15 hours of subsidised nursery education per week and is available from the term after their third birthday until the term following their fifth birthday.

Toddler Group

Our Toddler Group runs from 9.30am to 11.00am every Thursday during term time. The cost is £2 a session.

Children under three years old and their parents or guardians are always welcome to join us. Toddler Group is a lively, friendly event, a great opportunity for children and adults to get to know other local families. Connections made at Toddler Group often become life long friendships.

Sidcot Junior School, Oakridge Lane, Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1PDT: 01934 845200 E: juniors@sidcot.org.uk W: www.sidcot.org.uk

Sidcot School: a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England under number 2093340. Registered office: Winscombe, North Somerset BS25 1PD. Registered charity no: 296491 VAT no: 567627892

Visit our website at www.sidcot.org.uk, or even better, come and visit us!

Ring Rachael Coates on 01934 845236 to arrange a personal tour or register for one of our termly open mornings:

Friday 26 September 2014Friday 23 January 2015Bank Holiday Monday 4 May 2015

For entry to Sidcot in September 2015, in Years 1 through to 6, we are offering scholarships to Junior School children who we consider to be bursting with potential – either academically gifted or those who show exceptional talent in the creative arts, music, drama, sport or equestrian. We also offer means-tested bursaries which provide financial assistance to enable children to come to Sidcot. Please see our website for more details.

We’d love to hear from you