Early Learning - Autumn 2021

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

EARLY LEARNING

Elstree School Nursery and Pre-Prep

ELSTREE is an award- winning day and boarding school for boys and girls aged three to 13, less than 10 miles from Newbury and Reading. Elstree Nursery and Pre- Prep provides a stimulating environment for children aged three to seven and now caters for nearly 80 girls and boys. Separate from the main school, but within the same 150-acre idyllic grounds of Elstree, the Pre-Prep is made up of four year groups – Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Girls and boys can begin their journey in Nursery and smoothly transition through Pre-Prep to Prep until the end of Year 8. We aim for the children to leave Elstree Pre-Prep inspired and enthused. We want their first encounters of learning to be full of excitement and joy, framing their approach to education for the years ahead. As this is often a child’s first experience of education, the transition from home to school is supported with home visits and taster days. This warm and homely approach is based upon the family principles of Elstree School.

Tigers Day Nursery

TIGERS Day Nursery has been established for 26 years and is a happy, safe, fun-filled day nursery set in beautiful countryside close to the A4 in Thatcham, Berkshire. Caring for babies and children from three months to five years we have a homely feel in our barn conversion with fantastic outdoor space, setting Tigers above the rest. We have exceptional facilities and resources both indoors and outside, with a large wild garden, mud kitchen, tents and large mushroom tree under which the children have picnics, drinks and stories. We have a lovely planting area where the children can grow their own flowers and vegetables. There are multiple outdoor

play areas, all with safety surfaces and high-quality equipment. Inside, there are stimulating, well-equipped rooms, each with their own bathroom and hand-washing facilities, as well as a sensory Bubble Room and mirrored dance studio. Extra activities include French, dance and Forest School sessions for the older children. Our on-site cook produces well balanced meals from fresh ingredients daily and caters for all allergies and dietary requirements. The children also have access to fresh fruit throughout the day. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework to provide stimulating activities based around the children’s interests to support the children’s learning and

development. Each child has a key worker who tracks the children’s development and uploads observations with pictures and videos, so parents are involved with their child’s learning using the Parentzone app. The senior staff are well qualified which ensures the children are receiving high quality early years education and all staff have regular training opportunities to enhance and build on their existing knowledge. Our experienced management team have a hands-on approach and are involved in all aspects of the nursery. For more information email tigers@tigersdaynurseries. co.uk or call (01635) 528857. www.tigersdaynurseries. co.uk

Elstree Nursery

Picture: Jonathan Bond Photography

Children have access to bright, airy classrooms, dedicated learning areas, outdoor play spaces and a designated woodland. Supported by a team of energetic, enthusiastic and experienced teachers, every child is valued as an individual and encouraged to explore and develop their talents to the full. From Nursery, children are encouraged to adopt a love of learning and a natural curiosity at their own pace. Every week on ‘Woodland Wednesdays’, the Early Years children get the chance to do exciting activities such as mini-beast hunting, den building, foraging harvest

fruits, or willow tree weaving. Sport, French, music and drama are also thriving at Elstree Pre-Prep, and taught by specialist teachers. Parents, grandparents and carers are welcome to join Elstree Pre-Prep’s Thursday Toddler Sessions, held four times a term between 9am and 10.30am. Email registrar@elstreeschool.org. uk for the dates. If you would like to visit our school, please book your place on our Open Morning on Saturday, October 16, at www.elstreeschool.org.uk/ admissions/open-days or arrange an individual visit by giving us a call on (0118) 971 3302.

www.tigersdaynurseries.co.uk

01635 528857 tigers@tigersdaynurseries.co.uk

Thursday, October 14, 2021 31

Newbury Weekly News

EARLY LEARNING Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School

ABACUS is a childcare gem in Newbury and has been the first choice for hundreds of families since opening in 1992. Parents love it for its home from home feel and great location close to the centre of Newbury; with plenty of parking in its own private car park there’s no need to rush and no busy road to cross outside. Babies and children under two enjoy exclusive use of ‘The Nest’ – a suite of rooms with high quality furnishings, natural wooden toys and games, and cosy areas provide our youngest children a safe space in which they can settle quickly, grow and develop in safety. ‘The Nest’ enjoys its own dedicated outdoor space so even the youngest children get time outdoors every day. At the age of two children progress to rooms on the ground floor where they have a wide choice of carefully selected toys and games. As their interests grow, we regularly refresh the rooms to suit their changing interests. Our Pre-School rooms are vibrant and educational, where children are introduced to numeracy and phonics activities whilst continuing to learn through play and

activities to develop children’s knowledge about ‘Big School’ covering a range of activities and topics giving them the emotional and practical skills they need to make a smooth transition to school. Topics include phonics, literacy, hygiene, talking about themselves and their family, learning about the great outdoors, taking part in group activities, singing nursery rhymes and making healthy snacks. The lead up to starting primary school can be an anxious time for both children and parents; we know things will be different but we build self-confidence so the children face new challenges knowing that they will be fine. We know that choosing the right nursery is no easy task and can be a hard decision to make. Our exceptional team is really passionate about supporting children and their families; our great reputation is built on parents’ opinion and online reviews. Get in touch today and discover what we can do for your child. Abacus Day Nursery and Pre-School, Oxford Road, Newbury RG14 1XB; tel: (01635) 550134; email: abacus@ completechildcare.co.uk

discovery. We have free-flow access to a covered outdoor learning area where children enjoy all the traditional outdoor activities in a safe and sheltered space. Children can climb, dig, pedal and play safely in our large garden, with small buildings and features that give them the opportunity to explore their imagination. Many parents love that we have pet rabbits and guinea pigs that help that children to understand animals and how

to care for them. All parents are kept up to date through our Family secure app where you can share in your child’s day, finding details of how well your child slept, ate and played. We regularly share your child’s developmental progress with easy to understand developmental observations and progress tracking. Parents love this service. We do everything we can to make the lives of families as simple as possible.

Fee payment is simple using Direct Debit for hassle-free payment; we also accept childcare vouchers, are members of the tax-free childcare scheme and provide free childcare entitlement for qualifying children too. We do not take a deposit, nor do we charge administration or joining fees. Abacus is proud of its ‘School Ready’ programme, which prepares children for starting the big wide world of primary school. The programme is based

on collaborative work with teachers from schools and discussion about what they want to see in children moving from pre-school to school. Children need to be able to recognise their name – not just in beautiful typeface but also as mummy writes it on the label on their coat. They need to know that when teacher is busy with the other children, that their friends may be a source of help. Our experienced staff plan

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

EARLY LEARNING

Horris Hill Lower School “AT Horris Hill, we firmly believe that magic, awe and wonder in the curriculum are a must. A magical learning environment

High aspirations are fundamental to our approach, from the early stages of learning in Reception to Year Three, we focus on developing lifelong learners who thrive on challenge and adventure. Our curriculum is bespoke, child-led, and, most importantly, fun. Our unique holistic programme is immersive, fast-paced, high energy and gets the very best from the children. Children learn best when academic rigour is accompanied by time outdoors and our Horris Hill Wild Child Charter recognises this. By the time the boys are in Year Three, ready to transition into our Upper School, they will be equipped with a secure foundation, built on a dynamic, broad and balanced range of educational opportunities and experiences.” Harriet Uwalaka, Head of Lower School The Horris Hill Wild Charter At Horris Hill Lower School we are committed to developing the whole child, both in and out of the classroom, so we have created the Horris Hill Wild Child Charter. Research has shown the importance of nature to the human body and mind and also a clear link between the time spent in nature and improvements in areas such as motivation, problem solving and self-esteem. Our charter sets out what we believe are the key experiences of a natural childhood and forms an important part of their learning curriculum. We believe our boys should have had all these experiences before they move into the Upper School. We work through these challenges each week and record the progress on a wild child tracker. Once the tracker is completed the boy is officially a Horris Hill Wild Child. The four strands that make up the Wild Child Charter: n Our Woods

Outdoor learning at Horris Hill

n Our Kitchen Garden n Our School n Our Local Area n Our Woods

scratch. They gain confidence mixing with animals as they feed and care for sheep and chickens and collect their eggs. Another really popular activity is the opportunity to make a scarecrow. Our School At Horris Hill, pupils explore many different parts of the 65 acres of grounds and develop a love of learning about nature. Our boys learn to recognise a variety of animal tracks and know which animals hibernate. They learn to identify common butterflies and birds. They also use vegetables and leaves to dye fabric. They make kites, jump in puddles, make snowmen, go pond-dipping and learn to help wild animals. Our Local Area The fourth strand of our charter is our local area and this provides the opportunity for our boys to dam a river, visit a farm, watch cows

being milked, skim stones, collect shells at the beach, go paddling, visit a bee hive, have fun playing pooh sticks and learn to use a compass. Horris Hill – space to engage with nature The Wild Child Charter is a specially developed suite of activities for our boys at Horris Hill to engage with nature, and it provides deep and meaningful practical learning opportunities. To find out more about how our unique Lower School learning experience could really make a difference to your child, join us at our Lower School Open Morning on Saturday, November 6, or arrange an individual appointment at your convenience. Visit us in person and experience the magical environment for yourself – email Karen Pilkington, registrar@horrishill.com to arrange a visit.

The first strand enables the pupils to learn about safe forest play and it see boys climb trees, make camp fires, have picnics in the woods and learn about the different animals that live in our woods. Pupils learn about plants and what they need in order to grow from seed. They get involved too as they dig, weed, water, work the soil and learn about composting, recycling and mulching. Our Kitchen Garden Boys learn about growing fruit and vegetables and they get to prepare healthy food, such as salads. They eat fruit and vegetables straight from the plant and make bread from

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Thursday, October 14, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

EARLY LEARNING

The Winchcombe School

THE Winchcombe School, situated close to Newbury town centre, is a thriving primary school with pupils aged three to 11. As a school, we are passionate about helping pupils develop the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes that will ensure they make a positive contribution to society. It is our on-going ambition to further improve every aspect of our provision to ensure each child gets every opportunity possible to improve and develop a love of learning. The Foundation 1 class, Acorns, provides places for three-year-olds beginning their journey of learning. We offer morning, afternoon and all-day sessions with the opportunity to pay for extra sessions in addition to universal 15 hours entitlement. We also cater for those working parents who qualify for 30 hours government funding. Learning takes place within a well-resourced, inspiring unit facilitated by experienced teachers and learning support assistants. Children have the opportunity to explore both inside and children, including those from the two Foundation 2 classes. A whole range of fun, play- based experiences builds the children’s confidence and outside environments, interacting with all the

Dingley’s Promise Dingley’s Promise

Picture: Peter McClintock

DINGLEY’S Promise is passionate about ensuring every child receives the best start in life. From our centre in Shaw, West Berkshire, we deliver life-changing support to children in the Early Years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their families. Offering term time Learn Through Play sessions and holiday playschemes for children with a wide range of additional needs, the dedicated staff help children to develop the skills they need to reach their full potential. In a recent parent survey, 97 per cent of families said they felt more confident in supporting their child after accessing

our services. And, as a result of our support, 93 per cent of families felt less isolated and 100 per cent felt more positive about the future. One parent said: “Dingley’s Promise has been an invaluable source of support, comfort and fun for my daughter. They help her to thrive and give her an opportunity to develop in her own unique way. I can’t thank them enough for what they do for us all as a family.” Dingley’s Promise can also provide outreach support to any local family with a child aged 0-5 with SEND. Our family support workers offer home visits, walk and talk sessions and 1:1 advice via phone, text, email, zoom or in

person. We also run monthly online information sessions, covering topics such as potty training and sleep, as well as regular Stay and Play sessions for children and families. If you would like to access our Family Support Officer, please contact Paula Chambers on 07495 446053 or email paula. chambers@dingley.org.uk You can contact our West Berkshire Centre on (01635) 552458 or email admin. westberks@dingley.org.uk If you would like to explore a rewarding career in the Early Years Sector supporting children with SEND, please contact us at info@dingley.org. uk to learn more.

Life in Acorns is full of variety, meeting the needs of all children, enriching strengths and building new interests. During their time in Acorns, the children become prepared for their transition to full time education, whether that is at The Winchcombe or other local schools.

helps them to develop social, emotional and physical skills. Parents are seen as vital partners in the growth of their children. Home and school successes are shared and celebrated. The friendly staff are readily available to talk to parents and any feedback is welcomed.

The Winchcombe School Maple Crescent, Newbury, RG14 1LN Foundation Stage We currently have spaces available in our Nursery for September 2021 and January 2022 The Winchcombe School is a thriving and ever improving community, situated close to Newbury Town Centre. We support all children to make more progress than they thought possible, in a safe and stimulating environment. There are places available for three and four-year old children in our Nursery class within the Foundation. Sessions run between 9 am and 3 pm. Learning takes place in a well-resourced, spacious and inspiring purpose-built Foundation Stage unit. Children are encouraged to develop their own interests through exploration indoors and out, meeting challenges and learning together. Please contact the school office on 01635 232780 or email office@winchcombe.w-berks.sch.uk to register for any open sessions we may have arranged, or to book a visit at your convenience.

Thursday, October 14, 2021 35

Newbury Weekly News

EARLY LEARNING

Jubilee Gems

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School

WE love to create magical moments through hands on experiences all year at Jubilee Gems. However, our 60 acres of private gardens, woodland and farm truly come to life during autumn. It’s a wonderful time for the children to head outdoors and explore a treasure trove of natural wonders. After saying hello to the animals, we’ll pick blackberries, collect conkers and acorns or maybe go on a bug hunt. We learn all about the changing seasons and animals readying themselves for hibernation. On our return, there’s just enough time to check on our vegetables to harvest for cooking and then it’s back to nursery for a delicious homemade lunch, after which our smallest people can snuggle down for a well- earned nap before getting ready to bake some delights in the mud kitchen. We believe in children ‘learning by doing’ – both inside and out – every day. It’s what makes Jubilee Gems children confident and independent young learners. Jubilee Gem’s top tips for activities over autumn: n Go on a bear hunt and encourage children to explore. Crunch through leaves, jump in muddy puddles and leap over logs!

AT St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School the nursery class has been making the most of the spring sunshine with sensory walks around the grounds. The children were particularly delighted to see two ducks on the pond and to create flower craft with their collections. “I liked hammering the yellow colour flower,” said one child. Caring, passionate practitioners welcome and settle each child daily, according to their individual needs. The children have access to both classrooms and the large garden during free flow for long periods each day, with a wide variety of resources and areas available, reflecting all areas of the Early Years Curriculum. These include a free choice art area, music area and role play zone, providing a variety of opportunities to develop vital communication and

physical skills. Knowledgeable practitioners, including a class teacher, use a combination of the children’s interests and planned activities to teach them new skills in interesting, relevant according to their individual development and next steps. Activities include baking, sewing, music, dance and gardening. Group times are kept short and interesting and focus on developing early phonics and mathematics skills as well as weekly RE and literacy. The aim is to ensure that children not only succeed academically, but also grow spiritually and morally, developing into fully rounded individuals. Everyone follows the diamond rules at St Joseph’s, working hard on copying the example of Jesus, using good manners, caring for friends and resources and following and practical contexts. Each child is extended

instructions. The children love to receive stickers for following these rules. Practitioners develop warm relationships with parents and carers, communicating daily with them face-to-face as well as via an online learning journal. Families are also encouraged to join in school life and are invited to events such as the Harvest Festival. One parent commented: “My son got attached to all the staff, which remarks a caring and child-friendly attitude. I can’t thank staff enough.” As the children approach their Reception year they join in with some whole school events, such as collective worship and World Book Day. There are also opportunities to explore the Reception classroom and share activities with them. Practitioners sensitively encourage children to be as independent as possible, in collaboration with parents, assisting with a smooth transition into Reception year.

n Collect natural objects and make an autumn display. n Go fruit foraging and talk about edible and inedible berries. Collect apples and blackberries and bake a pie together. n Help with hibernation and create a hedgehog den. n Get creative with muddy mark making! n Look at pumpkins and squashes – talk about shapes and colours and make soup. Give your child a truly unique experience, start their journey with us here at Jubilee Gems. Jubilee Gems is a term-time

nursery, located in the heart of the countryside in West Berkshire, offering a flexible range of sessions to suit you and your child. At Gems we are all about giving all children the time and space to explore, discover and use their imagination both indoors and outdoors in a language-rich environment with our caring and highly skilled practitioners. To book your show round call (0118) 983 4018 or drop in to pick up a prospectus. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

www.jubileegems.co.uk School Road, Padworth, Berkshire, RG7 4JA

S T J OSEPH ’ S C ATHOLIC P RIMARY S CHOOL & N URSERY , N EWPORT R OAD N EWBURY Please contact us at - office@stjosephs.w-berks.sch.uk or 0163543455

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