Blindmans Lane

Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

EN8 9DW

01992 626879

office@arlesdene.herts.sch.uk

www.arlesdene.herts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Claire Cobain, BA Hons, QTS

Welcome to Arlesdene Nursery School

Arlesdene is a popular nursery school for children aged 3 to 5 and is funded

by Hertfordshire County Council. Our Nursery is led and managed by a

headteacher and staffed with qualified teachers, early years practitioners

and learning support staff. We have a governing body which helps us to

review and support the work of the school.

We work in partnership with parents, our onsite children’s centre and other

professionals to ensure that we do the best we can for all our children and

their families.

Our Nursery is open during school term times and offers a range of services

which include:

15 hours a week of free funded education for all children the term after

their third birthday

30 hour places, for those parents who are eligible

The opportunity to pay for additional sessions

Lunch Club (packed lunch to be brought from home)

Excellent transition arrangements

Many opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s learning

Links with Arlesdene Children’s Centre, local primary schools and pre-

schools

Training for a range of students including teachers

Ofsted judged our Nursery and Pre-school to be

outstanding (March, 2017)

‘The school is a shining example of early years

excellence.’

‘The school gives every child a chance to shine and all of

them do exceptionally well.’

‘Staffs engagement with children is excellent.’

(Ofsted, March 2017)

Our Vision

Explore, Learn and Flourish

Together we take our first steps to be the best we can

Values and Beliefs

We believe that:

1. Everyone should be made to feel welcome, valued and respected

2. We all have the right to achieve our full potential.

3. Children and adults learn most effectively through first-hand

experiences, play and talk

4. Everyone learns best when they are happy, secure and have a high

sense of well being

5. Children and achieve when we know them well and respond to their

developmental needs and interests.

6. Children and families need to feel safe and secure within our school

7. Children thrive when parents/carers, staff and children share their

learning

8. We should support parents to be the best parents they can

9. It is important to use feedback in order to evaluate our work and to

plan future provision

10. Seeking the views of all those involved in the centre is important and

helps us plan future developments

11. Equality should be promoted, diversity celebrated and discrimination

addressed

12. Everyone has a valuable role in shaping the future of Arlesdene

Our Nursery School

At Arlesdene we are deeply committed to providing high quality care and

education. Children learn and develop in our large, purpose built nursery

classroom and outstanding outdoor areas through a wide range of rich

learning experiences and sensitive adult support. The nursery has an

excellent range of resources and a safe and secure environment.

We support and develop children’s learning through planned play

experiences that are relevant to the individual needs and interests of each

child. All children are supported to make progress according to their unique

needs and abilities.

There are 50 places in the morning, 50 in the afternoon and a limited number

of places for children whose parents are eligible for 30 hours. There are also

some places for children requiring extended hours. There is usually a higher

demand for morning places. Depending on availability, parents of children

requiring hours in addition to their 15 funded hours a week can pay for extra 3

hour nursery sessions and for a place in Lunch Club. The following costs apply

for these additional services:

Additional 3 hour session - £16.50

Lunch Club (children bring a packed lunch from home) - £5.00 per day

1

The School Nursery sessions are:

Morning – 8.45 to 11.45 am Afternoon – 12.30 to 3.30 pm

Nursery Routine This is flexible according to the needs of the children

Morning

Session

Afternoon

Session

8.45am Children arrive and register with their key

person

12.30pm

8.50-9.15am Welcome activity with key person 12.35-1.00pm

9.15-11.15am Child initiated learning indoors and out.

Snack is available throughout this session.

Some days children have snack in their key

groups

1.00 – 3.00pm

11.15 – 11.25am Children are supported by adults to tidy up

the indoor and outdoor areas

3.00 – 3.10pm

11.25– 11.45am Story, singing and small group learning time 3.10 – 3.30pm

2

School Staff

Claire Cobain Headteacher

Nursery School

Lynda Lodge Lead Nursery Teacher

Elisabeth Wilderspin Nursery Teacher – part time

Nicola Hawkins Early Years Teacher

Lesley Carter Senior Early Years Practitioner

Himashi Dassanayake Senior Early Years Practitioner

Kay Reeve Senior Early Years Practitioner

Sheila Wills Senior Early Years Practitioner

Karen Head Senior Early years Practitioner

Katy Granville Learning Support Assistant

Linda Cummins Learning Support Assistant

Tammy Gurney Learning Support Assistant

Louise Moretto Learning Support Assistant

Pre-school

Gemma Charlton Pre-school Leader – Part-time

Craig Nottingham Pre-school Leader and Deputy – part time

Karen Johnson Senior Early Years Assistant Alison Warden Senior Early Years Practitioner

Maria Hammond Early Years Practitioner

Clare Moss Early Years Practitioner

Sabina Teale Early Years Practitioner

Margareta Pujari Early Years Practitioner Sally-Ann Gasson Early Years Practitioner

Lunch Club

Michelle Christodoulou Lunch Club Assistant Stacey Field Lunch Club Assistant Jodie Rands Lunch Club Assistant

Karen Samson Lunch Club Assistant Claire Turner Lunch Club Assistant Faustina Yawson Lunch Club Assistant

Office

Samem Morris Office Manager Lorraine Thurlow Secretary Kay Gaunt Pre-School Admin /Finance

Premises

Graeme Cakebread Site Manager

3

The Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the work of

the nursery by reviewing performance and agreeing a strategy for

improvement. The Nursery is accountable to the Governing Body which is

made up of representatives from staff, parents, the Local Authority and the

local community. They give advice and support to the Headteacher and

staff.

Governors

Name Position Category Term of office Responsibilities

Rosie

Bloomfield

Chair Co-opted 02/04/2015 -

01/04/2019

SEND/CLA

Safeguarding

Katie

Saunders

Vice

Chair

Parent 01/09/2016 –

31/08/2020

Home school

learning

Claire

Cobain

Headteacher 01/09/2018-

Leadership and

Management

Lynda

Lodge

Staff 01/09/2012 -

31/08/2016

Curriculum

Kelly

Siracusa

Parent 15/01/2016 -

14/01/2020

Home school

learning

Jami

Walcott

Vice

Chair

Co-opted 02/04/2015 -

01/04/2019

EYPP and

Funded 2’s

Sam

Whorlow

Parent 22/05/2018 - TBC

Claire

Turner

Parent 22/05/2018 - TBC

Jude

Vince

Parent 22/05/2018 - TBC

Fiona Hill Clerk 01/02/2012-

Anna Archer HIP (Hertfordshire Improvement partner)

4

Applying for a Nursery Place

When will my child start nursery? We provide 15 hours of free early education for 3 and 4 year olds from the

term after their 3rd birthday. Our main intake into nursery is in September

which is the beginning of the school year. If we have vacancies there is a

further intake in January. For in-year applications please contact the school

office.

How do I make an application to Arlesdene Nursery School?

All admissions and application forms are managed by the school. Please

speak to Lorraine in the school office if you require a nursery place.

Accepting a Nursery Place Places for school nursery and pre-school will be allocated according to our

Admissions Policy. A copy of this is available in school. Once you have

accepted a place you will be sent an information pack and important forms

to complete.

Starting Nursery If your child is starting in the school nursery, the following will be offered:

Introductory meeting for all parents and carers

Parent/carer and child visits to nursery

A home visit

‘Settling in’ visits planned with you and your child’s key person

Stay and play session for parents and children

5

‘Settling In’ and Getting to Know You and Your Child

We understand that starting nursery is a big step, not only for your child but

also for their parents. At Arlesdene we recognise that every child is different

and will settle into nursery in their own way.

The settling period is a very important part of a child’s education. We offer

the following guidance for a successful start to nursery for you and your child:

Children settle best when this is done slowly and carefully, so it is

important to respond to the needs of the child

Be guided by your child’s key person who will encourage your child to

settle happily so that he or she will gain in confidence and develop a

positive attitude to nursery

It is important that the settling in period and the gradual separation

from you is a happy experience, so please be prepared to stay with

your child during this time, it might take a few days or even weeks

You must stay for the first session

As your child gains in confidence and begins to feel secure you will be

encouraged to leave them for a little longer each day. Staff are

always willing to discuss any problems that you may have. It is

preferable that these discussions take place away from the children.

6

All children need to have time to get to know everyone and to allow the

staff, especially their key person, to get to know them. Even if your child has

had experience of another nursery or childminder, they will find this a new

situation and settling in takes time. This time is also a valuable opportunity for

us to get to know you and for you to get to know us.

Key Person

We have developed a key person approach to ensure that children settle

into nursery. This means that each child is allocated a member of staff who:

takes particular care of him or her and is available to respond to their

emotional needs and interests

helps your child to settle and manage saying goodbye to you

will talk to you about your child’s time in nursery

gather as much information as possible that will help your child to

settle. This may be about particular toys or activities that they like or

concerns about toileting

Going to ‘Big School’ We work closely with other local pre-schools and nurseries to ensure that

children have a smooth transition into Arlesdene. When children are moving

to a reception class in school we plan the following activities so that children

are supported and have a positive start to the next phase in their education:

These are:

Share information with their next school

Arrange visits to their new school

Invite teachers from the new school to visit Arlesdene

Plan activities, such as, dressing up in school uniform, sharing

photographs of the new school and facilitate discussions about going

to ‘big school.’

‘Off to Big School’ workshop for parents to enable them to support their

child’s transition to reception

7

The Curriculum Staff plan for children’s learning and development using the Early Years

Foundation Stage Framework. This framework is used by all those working

with children from 0 to 5 years old. It supports the following characteristics of

effective learning:

Playing and Exploring

Active Learning

Creating and Thinking Critically

The Early Years Foundation Stage includes the following areas of learning and

development:

Prime Areas Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development

Communication and Language

Specific Areas Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

For further information please see

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/parents/

There is also a useful guide for parents which shares expectations of children’s

learning for each age group and suggests ideas of what parents can do to

help their child.

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2015/03/what-to-expect-when-a-

parents-guide/

8

Helping Children to Learn and Develop

Children are supported to learn through:

Play and interactions with children and adults

Opportunities to actively explore and investigate, both indoors and

outdoors

Experiences that allow them to use their own creative ideas

Adults asking questions to help their thinking

A safe and secure environment that challenges them

Taking risks and making mistakes

Consistent, sensitive and caring adults

Parents/carers and staff working together

Promotion of a healthy life style

Supporting all Children’s Individual Needs

9

All our children are different and we therefore value opportunities for them to

learn together. Children with additional needs are supported in their learning

by learning support assistants and if required, further help is available from a

range of professionals. We believe that parent/carer support is vital in

enabling us to meet the individual needs of all children so that they make

progress in their learning and development.

Outdoor Learning We are fortunate to have a spacious and well-resourced outdoor area. Most

children choose to play in this area of the nursery: we therefore plan many

opportunities that support children’s learning in the garden throughout the

year.

10

Visits The first hand experiences that children encounter through visits to the local

community are important for developing their understanding of the wider

world. During the year we plan short visits to such places as the local Fire

Station, shops and Library. We maintain a ratio of one adult to two children.

Parents/carers are encouraged to help us on these visits.

Keeping Records An individual Learning Journal is kept for each child with detailed

observations and photographs of their learning and development. You are

asked to contribute to these records: this can be a short note or a

photograph. The Learning Journal is shared during parent/carer

consultations as a focus for discussing children’s progress. It is also available

in the nursery for children to share with their parents/carers.

You are invited to regular meetings with your child’s key person where you

can discuss your child’s progress and talk about activities that you can try at

home to help them reach their targets.

Keeping Children Safe Safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility. This includes staff, parents,

carers, Governors and members of the local community. We have a number

of Safeguarding policies that support our work in protecting children from

neglect, and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Staff are trained to be

familiar with the roles and responsibilities for the protection of children.

All staff have a duty to refer safeguarding concerns to the Headteacher who

is the schools designated person for child protection. If it is decided to make

a referral to Childrens Services this will usually be discussed with parents. In

cases where there is a risk of immediate harm to a child a referral is made to

Childrens Services immediately.

We have a detailed eSafety policy that explains how we keep children safe

on line. Workshops are organised for parents and staff to keep them updated

about on-line safety and how they can teach children to use the internet

safely.

As with all establishments that care for children, if we feel that further

information or guidance is needed regarding the welfare or safety of children

in our care, we are required to report our concerns to Children’s Services.

Using Images of Children Safely and Responsibly At Arlesdene we are happy for parents/carers to take photographs and

video but request that these images are not distributed or put online. This is to

protect all members of our nursery.

11

Road Safety and Security The road outside the school is very busy so please ensure that your child holds

your hand when arriving and leaving the building. Entry to the nursery and

area is via a buzzer system. In order for security to be effective we need your

co-operation. Please NEVER let anyone through the secure doors, particularly

when you are leaving through that door yourself. All visitors must ring the

buzzer. Please ensure that you close the green gate that leads to the road

when you arrive and leave the school.

Collecting Children Please remember to always tell someone in the office or your child’s key

person if there is a change in the person collecting your child. A password

system is used when the person collecting your child is unknown to staff. We

will not let your child leave nursery with a person that we do not know.

Accidents Children are well looked after in nursery with high ratios of adults to children.

Occasionally accidents do happen and it is important that we have up to

date information on your emergency form. All staff are qualified paediatric

first aiders. We keep an accident book so that parents/carers can be told of

any injuries that children may have had during the day. Please tell a

member of staff of any injury, bruising or accident that your child has when

they have not been in nursery. It is important that this information is shared in

case your child becomes unwell during their time in nursery. Parents are

asked to complete an existing injury form.

Attendance and Absence When your child is offered a place it is important that they attend every day

so that they develop good relationships with staff and other children. Please

make sure your child arrives on time. If children arrive late it can cause them

to be anxious, they find it difficult to settle and they miss valuable learning

time.

There is an Attendance Register in the school entrance lobby which we ask

you to sign if your child is late or is collected early. If you go on holiday during

term time please complete a holiday form. This is necessary so that your child

keeps their nursery place.

12

If your child is ill, please telephone the office or send a message to let us

know. We must also be informed of any hospital appointments. If a child

does not arrive for their nursery session and we have not been informed of

their absence a member of staff will call their parents/carers.

Please see our Attendance Policy for further information.

Illness Due to the close contact that children have when they are playing in the

nursery, infections can spread quickly. If your child is unwell please do not

send them to nursery so that we can limit the spread of infection. We ask you

to keep your child at home for 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or

diarrhoea and to inform the nursery if they have any contagious/infectious

illnesses so that we can alert parents.

We welcome all children at our nursery regardless of medical need. If you

have a specific requirement for your child please let us know so that we work

with you to develop a ‘Health Care Plan.’

Only medication prescribed by a doctor will be administered in nursery. If a

child is taking a course of medicine, such as antibiotics they must be kept at

home for the first 48 hours to ensure that there are no adverse effects. It is

vital that you inform us of any medication that has been administered at

home, such as an asthma pump. Please see our First Aid and Medicine

policy for further information.

Meals and Snacks We operate a policy of healthy eating throughout the nursery. This is

reflected in the food that we provide for children throughout the day.

Snacks are prepared on site. We ask for a donation of £12 per term towards

the cost of snack. It is helpful if this is given to the office at the beginning of

each term.

If your child has any specific dietary requirements please let us know and we

will discuss how we can best accommodate these needs. Due to an

increasing number of children with nut allergies we operate a ‘no nut policy’.

13

Clothes Please send your child to Arlesdene in clothes that are suitable for play, messy

activities and easy to manage when going to the toilet. We encourage all

children to join in all activities and do not want them to be worried about

dirtying their clothes. Please consider the following in order to help your child

to be dressed appropriately for nursery:

Nursery jumpers and polo shirts can be bought from the school office,

these are optional

Jewellery should not be worn as it is dangerous and can be easily lost

Children will be using the outdoor area throughout the year. In cold

weather they will need NAMED coats, hats and mittens

Wellingtons can also be brought and kept on the racks in the outdoor

shelter

In warm weather please do not send your child to nursery in open toed

sandals, flip flops, ‘crocs’ or fashion shoes. These can be dangerous

and cause accidents. Shoes with Velcro fasteners are ideal

During very hot weather we will ensure that children spend the hottest

times of the day in the shade. However, in order to protect children’s

skin please ensure that they arrive in nursery wearing a high factor sun

protection, a named hat and a top with sleeves

If your child has an ‘accident’ we have a small supply of clean

clothes. Please ensure that your child’s clothes are easy for them to

manage, especially when using the toilet in a rush

If clothes are borrowed please ensure that they are returned to school

as quickly as possible

Behaviour All adults and children at Arlesdene are respected and valued. Therefore,

we encourage everyone to be polite, helpful, and caring towards each

other. We support children to manage their own behaviour, promoting a

positive attitude, which helps promote self-esteem and confidence.

14

Parent Involvement We welcome all children at Arlesdene and hope that you will be involved in

all that we have to offer.

It is very important that you are involved in your child’s education and work

with your child’s school as this has a positive impact on children’s

achievements and progress.

We ask parents to spend time sharing the book that their child brings home

each day. Also to be involved in any ‘homework’ activities, such as looking

for numbers on your route to nursery.

We arrange a number of other activities during the year such as:

Christmas and Easter celebrations

Parent workshops

Visits to places of interest

Fundraising events

If you have a particular skill that you feel you could share with us or work in a

job, such as a police officer, and would be willing to talk to the nursery

children about your work please let us know.

Concerns, Complaints and Feedback We try hard to do the very best for all our children and families. We

understand that your child is of the utmost importance to you and therefore

always listen to your feedback and suggestions.

If you like something that we have done, please let us know by telling a

member of staff, sending an email, text or writing a note.

If you have a concern please tell us so that we can explain what we are

doing or try to put it right. Often, talking to a member of staff can help us to

understand your concerns and enable us to resolve issues at an early stage.

Your child’s key person will be available before and after nursery sessions. If

you wish to discuss concerns at length it is better to see staff after the session.

More serious issues can be raised with the Headteacher. In the unlikely event

that matters are not resolved to the satisfaction of all concerned, further

advice can be sought from Governors. Please see our ‘How to Comment or

Complain’ guidance for parents which is available on our website or in the

school office.