Nursery

Admission to Nursery

At Stifford Clays Primary School, we offer nursery provision for children aged two to four. Our provision is split into two groups: Seedlings (2 to 3 year olds) and Saplings (3 to 4 year olds).

Key Information:

The times and costs of our sessions are as follows.

• Morning session – 8.30am-11.30am (3-hour session)
• Afternoon session – 12.30pm-3.30pm (3-hour session)
• All day session – 8.30am-3.30pm (7 hours)

The cost per 3-hour session, morning or afternoon is £17

The cost of a lunchtime session is £5.70, this is just the cost of 11.30am-12.30pm not including any food. If you wish to purchase a school lunch for your child, this will cost an additional £2.50.

The cost of an all-day session is £39.70. This includes the one hour lunch session from 11.30am-12.30pm. Alternatively, you can provide your child with a home packed lunch.

Seedlings

Children in our Seedlings group are able to attend either morning or afternoon sessions, or full days. They will need to do the minimum of two sessions per week. e.g. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, OR Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons OR Thursday and Friday all day. There are no restrictions on full days as long as you choose a minimum of 2 days per week. However, you cannot mix some mornings and some afternoons.

If you are interested in a space for your child, please apply by completing our nursery application form:

Nursery Admissions formAlternatively, we have copies in our school office. Please call us on 01375 373866 to collect a form.

Saplings

Children in our Saplings group are able to attend either ALL five mornings or ALL five afternoons each week, or attend ALL day every day.

If you are interested in a space for your child, please apply by completing our nursery application form: Nursery Application Form. Alternatively, we have copies in our school office. Please call us on 01375 373866 to collect a form.

If you require any further information, please call our school office 01375 373866.

Key Staff

Learning

Seedlings class is for 2 and 3 year olds

Saplings class is for 3 and 4 year olds

Both are part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which is the first Key Stage in Primary School and is taught from birth to 5 years old. The nursery curriculum is planned in accordance with the guidelines set out in the national EYFS document provided by the government. Children learn how to spend time away from parents, how to share toys, be part of a group, to wait their turn, to develop at their own pace and learn independently.

Settling Sessions

Settling sessions are an opportunity for your child to get used to nursery and get familiar with their surroundings before starting on their own. Children joining Saplings class have two settling sessions before starting Nursery. However, children joining Seedlings class have three. Parents/Carers and children stay for one hour on each of their settling in visits. This gives you time to look around the nursery and spend time playing and getting to know the new environment. Some children may benefit from extra settling sessions. This will be decided on an individual basis in discussion with parents. If you pay for your sessions, settles are free.

Uniform

• White shirt or top
• Navy jogging bottoms, leggings, trousers, skirt or dress
• Navy sweat shirt, jumper or cardigan
• Any trainers or shoes (Velcro straps on shoes are best, no laces if possible)
• Any sort of coat
• Wellington boots are useful to keep in nursery in case we have had bad weather and still want to explore outside
• Spare clothes are essential if we get messy during a painting lesson etc.

EYPP-formNursery Admissions Policy 2024-25

Different Types of Funding in Nursery

15-Hour Funding

Children are universally funded the term after their third birthday. This is automatically provided to the school therefore you will not need to do anything.

When a child becomes eligible for Universal Funding, they are offered the chance to increase their sessions only if there is space available. These hours can be split between more than one childcare providers if needed.

30-Hour Funding

You can apply for 30 hours for the term after your child's second birthday. More information on when you should apply will be found in the link below.

If you believe you are eligible you can apply at https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare?step-by-step-nav=f517cd57-3c18-4bb9-aa8b-1b907e279bf9

If you are eligible for 30 hours, every effort will be made to provide each child with the maximum number of hours they are eligible for but cannot be guaranteed due to availability. You can split funding between more than one childcare provider.

2 Year Old Funding

You can apply for 2 year funding the term after your child turns 2 and if you meet the criteria. If you believe you are eligible you can apply at https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds

if you are eligible you will receive 15 hours funding, every effort will be made to provide each child with the maximum number of hours they are eligible for but cannot be guaranteed due to availability. You can split funding between more than one childcare provider.

EYPP

Early Years Pupil Premium is an additional amount of funding that nurseries can claim for eligible three and four-year-old children to support their development and learning. Your child must be claiming early years funding (Universal 15 hours) to claim for EYPP. This is only available for three and four year olds who fit the following criteria: http://www.askthurrock.org.uk/kb5/thurrock/fis/site.page?id=JZsgzs-NoZg