Settling In

Here at St Paul's CE Academy Nursery we take children from 2 - 4 years. We have a maximum of 36 children per session. All our children explore in a shared environment, however at set times of the day the two year old's have a designated area where they can enjoy their own space. 

We are part of St Paul's CE Academy and can be accessed via the Brisco's Walk (runs in between the Academy and Horntye Sports Centre), adjacent to the academy field.

Settling In

Starting a new nursery can be daunting for both children and their families. This is why at St Paul's CE Academy Nursery we ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. Even before places have been agreed all families have a tour of our nursery. These tours are carried out my management, building good relationships from the outset. Once spaces have been confirmed and a child is due to start with us, firstly you will receive two forms 'Child's Profile' and 'Nursery Profile'. The 'Child's Profile' allows you to tell us all about your child and the 'Nursery Profile' will provide you with everything you need to know about us. Secondly, you will receive a telephone call from their key person, this is where families get to know more about them and have any questions answered. A settling in session and start date are both arranged on the confirmation email correspondence in the initial stages. 

Your child will also receive a Social Story about the nursery, explaining who the staff are and about our nursery routine in a child friendly book. Your child can then identify their key person and become familiar with our staff's faces before they come into nursery for the first time.

Settling in sessions are an 1 hour long, parents/carers are welcome to stay with their child for up to 10 minutes and then the child has 50 mins to explore and settle in the care of our staff.

We ask that every child does their settling in session prior to starting with us, this is a good opportunity to get familiar with their surroundings and for us to see how each child will engage with this new experience.

Sometimes children may find it a little more difficult to adjust to their new routine and being away from their families. To give each child the best possible start we have Settling In Plans. These plans are put in place to ease children into nursery when necessary; gradually building up to a whole session.

Daily Diaries 

Every two year old (Rabbit) has a Daily Diary, where each child's key person will write in, to keep families up to date with their child's day to day activities. Including meals, sleeps, nappy changes, medication administered as well as information about what they have been up to. This is an additional means of communication alongside verbal hand overs before and after every session.

Our older children (Badgers) receive verbal communication at the beginnings and ends of sessions also. Where verbal communication is of a sensitive nature, telephone calls are used instead.