New Starters
Nursery New Starters 2024-25
Teacher: Mrs. Gall
Teaching Assistant: Mrs. Jones
Thank you for choosing our school for your child and coming to look at our page. This page contains information which will give you a good idea about what your child's Nursery transition will look like. Hopefully this will answer any questions that you have about your child starting Nursery but if not please contact the school office where we should be able to help you further.
Admissions
Children can start Nursery as soon as they turn 3 years of age; we usually offer start dates from the Monday after their 3rd birthday. Make sure you apply for Nursery early so that you can get the place that you want. All children are eligible to access 15 hours free childcare which we offer either through morning sessions or afternoon sessions. If you wish for your child to access 30 hour provision please make office staff aware as these places usually fill up quickly. 30 hour funding can be accessed the term after they have their 3rd birthday but if you need full time sessions before then, wrap around sessions are available at a cost of £15 per session. Please access www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility for 30 hours. 30 hour funding is available for 4 and a half days with the option to pay for the additional session.
Application forms can be filled in at the school office and we ask that you bring your child's brith certificate along with you so that your application can be processed quickly. Application forms and information about 30 hour provision can also be downloaded from the admission arrangements page on the key information tab.
Stay and Play
Before your child starts Nursery we offer a stay and play session, so that we can meet your child and so they get to know our learning environment. These sessions are available during school time and after school, usually a week or two before they are due to start. During this session we also complete an information sheet so that we get to know your child, their likes and dislikes and any important information. We believe that this process helps with a smooth tranistion into Nursery and makes the children excited to join us.
The first few weeks...
We recognise that the first few weeks in Nursery are vital to establishing a positive relationship with school life. We work closely with parents to ensure that your child is happy and settled. We appreciate that you are your child's first educator and you know your child best so we will use your knowledge to get to know your child's interests, strengths and any areas in which they may need extra support.
What to expect
There are some documents below for you to download with information and photos to help you support your child with their transition into Nursery. You could look at the photos together so that they get an idea of the staff in Nursery and what the environment is like. The information sheet will give you an idea of what to expect when your child starts Nursery and what we expect from you in return to ensure a positive and nurturing home school relationship.
There is also information about speech and language and key skills that are typical for 3 year olds. These will give you a good idea about what you could be working on with your child before they start Nursery to give them the best start possible. Remember all children develop at different rates and achieve new skills at different times - these are guidelines to give you ideas on how to support your child at home and what you should expect at this age. If you have any concerns about any area of your child's development, please mention it to a member of staff, or contact your child's health visitor.
Our expectations
Most children are ready for toilet training around the age of 3. We encourage all parents to ensure that their child is toilet trained before starting Nursery unless there is a medical or developmental issue preventing this. Through having to change nappies throughout the session, this takes time away spent from teaching and learning. We ask that parents use the time before their child starts Nursery to work on toilet training with their child if they are not already trained. We understand that accidents happen and that children aged 3 and 4 are not dry all of the time and we will happily change any children that need it. See below for advice on toilet training and watch this video to gain an understanding of when to start toilet training.
It is advised that children should stop using dummies and bottles at 12 months. If continued use after this time, it can cause a child to have a relience on these. There are also issues with speech development, growing teeth formation and tooth decay. We strongly advise parents to encourage their children to stop using a dummy and bottle before they start Nursery. Please see below for advice on how to get rid of the dummy.
Applying for a school place
You can apply for a school place the year before your child turns 5 (application deadlines tend to be in January). For example if your child is 5 in the 2025-2026 academic year you would have to apply for a school place by January 2025. If you wish for your child to attend St Oswald's then you will have to apply for a school place though the Sefton Council website as well as filling out a Church School application form (a blue form which is handed into the office). Please see the admissions arrangements page on the key information tab for more information on applying for a school place. Parents find out about their child's school place allocation in April.
