At Kings Oak Primary we have a 52 place Nursery for three and four year olds. We offer a high quality environment planned to the children’s needs and interests run by a skilled and knowledgeable team. Our curriculum follows a play based approach where children learn through their own exploration, as well as in short hands on carpet sessions that focus on the key skills that will prepare the children for starting school. As well as following the children’s interests, we use a topic based approach to ensure the children gain a wide covering of knowledge. This curriculum has been designed to lead into our topics and learning in Reception, giving the children in our Nursery the best foundations and base knowledge that they will then build upon once in full time school. Our Nursery shares a playground with Reception, this means that the older children can help the younger children settle in, and the children get to know all the staff in Foundation Stage. This usually means a smooth transition into Reception as the children are already familiar with our setting and staff.
If you would like any more information about our Nursery or to come and look around please feel free to ring our office on 01226 272740 or email KingsOakOffice@watertonacademytrust.org
Funding
We offer 15 hour funding where children attend either morning or afternoon sessions. We also offer twelve 30 hour funding places, these children attend both the morning and afternoon sessions. There is a charge of £10 a week for the 30 hour funded children to stay over lunchtime between these sessions, parents will need to provide their own lunch. The children eat their lunch in our EYFS kitchen area and are supervised by SMSA’s and a member of the FS team who is pediatric first aid trained.
Admissions
Parents can apply to our Nursery through Barnsley Council admissions, information for this can be found at the link below. Children can start our Nursery the term after they are three. If parents would like one of our 30 hour funded places they need to apply for a funding code through the government website and pass this code on to our admissions officer Mrs Taylor in the school office. These places are on a first come first served basis, if these places are full you can request to be put onto our waiting list. 30 hour funding can also be shared between settings so children can access 15 hours at our Nursery and 15 hours at another childcare provider.
Session Times
Morning session – 8:30am – 11:30am
Afternoon session – 12:15pm – 3:15pm
Transition Arrangements
Once you have been informed your child has been given a space at our Nursery a member of the school team will contact you to arrange a home visit. Two members of staff will conduct a short visit to your home, during this visit a member of staff will fill in some forms with you and the other member of staff will interact with your child, this is also a chance for you to ask any questions you may have. The purpose of this visit is to build home-school relationships with you, and your child and also for your child to meet us in their own space where they feel comfortable. This will help their transition into school as they will be familiar with one of the staff and staff have been able to find out information about what is important to them to help them settle e.g. what they like to play with, names of a pet to talk to them about etc. You will then be given your transition dates, these will consist of; a stay and play session in Nursery with a parent/carer present, then two short stay and play sessions without a parent/carer present. Your child will then start full sessions after this if they are ready. This process is flexible and can be extended if we feel your child needs longer to settle.
Testimonials from Parents
“My son loves Nursery, he has developed so well with his speech, curiosity and knowledge. The staff put their heart and soul into supporting each child”
“The Nursery has been fantastic at helping my son find his confidence and interact with other peers. He has started to use his manners more and take great interest in learning. This couldn’t be possible without the great work the staff put in. Thank you so much for shaping some great little stars.”
“My son loves to come to Nursery. He has made amazing progress in learning English and he walks to Nursery with a large smile on his face waiting for adventure! After Nursery he can’t stop talking about his day with his friends and teachers”
“It is a fantastic Nursery and very welcoming. The staff are very patient and always empower the children.”
“My daughter has had a fabulous experience in her time at Nursery. She has come on leaps and bounds, developing in all areas and growing in confidence. The staff are brilliant, caring and friends, preparing the children in such a lovely way for the rest of their school journey!”
