Reviews
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Highly Rates & Loved! A Leading Nursery and Pre-School in Walton-on-Thames
At Danesfield Manor Early Years Centre children can join the term after they are 2 years old when they become a member of our Nursery room (subject to availability). The ratio of staff to pupils at this age is 1 adult to 5 children. We take every measure to ensure children build successful relationships with our staff across the Early Years Department; this really helps them as they move on to the next room and stage of development. Activities in this room are suited to this age group and resourced accordingly. Children have the opportunity to make use of a free flow area to outside learning opportunities and a range of soft play activities.
Joining Pre-Reception
Once children turn 3 they are challenged to take on new experiences in our Pre-Reception room. There is an opportunity for all children in Pre-Reception to have weekly swimming sessions with our qualified coach in our on-site heated indoor swimming pool. In addition our Modern Foreign Languages teacher starts to teach French through a programme of song and role play. Music is taught with the children learning about rhythm, tone and different kinds of music. All children have a weekly Forest School session at our local site.
Find out more about our school curriculum here.
Reception at Danesfield Manor
At 4 our children join the Reception class where they participate in a full week’s programme of foundation stage activities. Our two full-time members of staff work with the children to complete the Foundation Stage Profile ready to go into Key Stage 1 when they are 5. Children receive lessons from specialist teachers in Music, French and PE as well as a weekly Forest School session.
Key Information
The Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework sets standards to enable early years providers to reflect the rich and personalised experience that many parents give their children at home. Like parents, the staff deliver individualised learning and care that enhances the development of the children in their care and gives those children the best possible start in life.
Every child will be supported individually to make progress at their own pace and children who need extra support to fulfil their potential will receive special consideration.
The EYFS Curriculum consists of; Playing and Exploring, Active Learning and Creativity and Critical Thinking.
Early Years Values
Our practitioners are passionate about early learning and love working with young children. They strive to promote the following values:
Care, Safety Trust, Health, Happiness, Enjoyment, Equal Opportunities, Inclusion, Respect, Excellence, Self-Confidence and Independence
The learning environment
Each room and outside area is organised into different areas which include:
- Creative table
- Small world and construction toys
- Mark-making table
- Role Play area
- Maths area
- Book corner
- ICT
We believe in the importance of outdoor learning and use our outdoor area regularly every day for our continuous provision and for adult directed activities.
Key Person
Each child is allocated a key person once they start at Danesfield. This member of staff will work closely with both you and your child to make sure that you feel comfortable and supported. This includes updating you via Famly and ensuring that you receive the weekly planning and any other communications sent out from Danesfield to you.
Your child’s key person will be your main point of contact at Danesfield Manor, but obviously all our staff are happy to talk with you at any time and share responsibility for caring for and educating all of our children.
All our staff plan and direct activities and write observation notes on all our children. However, it is the key person’s responsibility to write individual plans and reviews for your child and to ensure his/her individual profile is kept up to date.
Communication
We believe in open and active two-way communication with parents. Here are just some of the ways that we endeavour to achieve this:
- Regular Famly photographs and comments about your child’s learning
- Open-door policy – staff are available if parents would like a quick catch-up at any time
- Formal Parent Consultations in the Autumn and Spring Terms
- Formal Pupil Reports every term
- Weekly newsletter photograph and comments about your child’s learning
- Quick catch-ups with staff at drop-off or collection times
