We are delighted that your child is continuing their Elms journey and embarking on their transition into Pre-School. The resources below aim to support a smooth transition and provide you with the key information you may require.
Supporting the transition
Transition visits from the Nursery into Pre-School will commence in the second half of the term before your child is due to start. These visits are accompanied by familiar Nursery staff and enable your child to join in with Pre-School activities. Your child will also experience lunch in our Pre-School dining area in the Prince Obolensky building.
Parent transition events
You will be invited to book a Parent Transition Meeting in the second half of the term before your child moves, this is the perfect opportunity to meet with Mrs Shakespeare, Pre-School Leader and find out more about Pre-School life.
Parent Stay & Play sessions will be held during the school holiday ahead of joining Pre-School, enabling one parent to accompany their child and participate in a typical session which will be centred on a hook for learning. There will also be time to talk to your child’s keyworker as well as meeting other parents.
Meet the team
Our highly experienced and qualified staff form close bonds with the children through a high adult to child ratio and bring our wonderful facilities to life to support the children’s development. Each child is allocated a key person, who will be directly responsible for their learning, social development and welfare.
You will meet your child’s key person during your Parent Stay & Play sessions.
360 tours
Our online interactive tool enables you to explore the different Pre-School rooms and recently refurbished playground as well as the wider facilities and campus.
Our daily routine
A standard day runs between 8am and 5pm or our Extended day option, collection time at 6pm. Early drop off from 7.30am can also be arranged in advance, subject to availability and additional costs.
The days are structured to provide a varied schedule which develop all aspects of a child’s character. Varied and engaging fun activities are blended with learning through outdoor education, free-flow play.
Children who will be joining Reception in the next academic year will begin to access specialist lessons in Dance/Drama, Forest School, French, PE and Library sessions.
Children with more than a year in the Pre-School will start by going to Forest School then join in with specialist lessons from the September.
Menus
A varied and balanced menu is created each term with fresh seasonal produce by our Catering team which operates on a 3 week-rolling basis.
Menus will be uploaded to Tapestry at the start of each term as well as on the school website.
PART OF THE WIDER SCHOOL COMMUNUITY
Your whole family will enjoy opportunities to fully embed yourselves in the school community. Key dates will be shared with good notice advising of events you would be most welcome to attend for example, Pre-School assemblies, Christmas nativity performances and Family Fun Event in the summer.
Tapestry
We use an online system called Tapestry to record and store all observations, photos, comments and assessments relating to each child. This is how you will access your child’s care diary, letters, important dates and any other key information.
This is a safe and secure system, accessed via a personal, password protected log in, that enables parents and carers to access their child’s learning journey at any time.
Once you have signed the Tapestry agreement you will have your account set up.
Drop off arrangements
Arrivals between 7:30am – 8:00am
Children need to be pre-booked in for an early drop off. If booked to arrive at this time, please ring the bell on the main Lower School gate, (Left hand side of the Hall) then come in through the playground and cloak room.
Arrivals between 8:00am-8:30am
Please go straight to the green gate to the right-hand side of the Hall. The staff will be waiting on the playground and will take your child from you at the gate. The children will then be taken to the Pre-School for breakfast or play.
Arrivals after 8:30am
Please ring the bell on the main Lower School gate, the Receptionists will give you instructions.
collection arrangements
Collections before 4pm
Please go to the main Lower School gate and ring the bell, you will be asked to come through the main gate and collect your child from the cloakroom.
Collections between 4:00pm-5:30pm
Please go straight to the green gate to the right-hand side of the Hall. The children will be playing on the playground and a member of staff will bring your child to you. If the weather is bad or there is no one on the playground, please go to the main Lower School gate and ring the bell, you will be asked to come through the main gate and collect your child from the cloakroom.
Collections after 5:30pm will be from the Pre-School on Mondays and from the Nursery the rest of the week.
