Merrylands Primary School

In September 2016, Merrylands Primary School opened its long-awaited Nursery serving the school’s catchment area of Laindon. The Nursery is a popular setting offering excellent facilities both inside and outside. Within the setting, we provide education and care for three and four year old children thereby giving them a strong foundation for their future learning.

Nursery sessions run from 8.30 am-11.30 am (morning sessions) and 12.30 pm-3.30 pm (afternoon sessions) and for those entitled to 30 hours funding 8.30 am-3.30 pm. There are 26 places in each session. Children will be allocated 15 hours morning sessions, 15 hours afternoon sessions or 30 hours full day sessions Monday to Friday depending on funding entitlement.

The Nursery is staffed by a Nursery Manager alongside three experienced and qualified Nursery support staff. The Nursery is a fully integrated part of the school and the children make use of the whole school environment as well as attending special school events and assemblies.

A typical day in Nursery

Every day in Nursery is different but this is an outline of a typical session in Nursery:

8.30 am / 12.30 pm    Nursery session starts

8.40 am / 12.40 pm    Registration, calendar

8.55 am / 12.55 pm    Letters and Sounds (Phonics session)

9.15 am / 1.15 pm      Directed Play through continuous provision both inside and outside. Adult led activities are provided during this time.

11.10 am / 3.10 pm    Story time / picture of the week

12.30 pm / 3.30 pm    Nursery session ends

The Nursery staff plan an exciting and challenging curriculum based on their observations of all the children’s needs, interests and developments across the seven areas of learning. This allows the children to work towards the end of Early Years Foundation Stage expectations (the Early Learning Goals - ELGs). All seven areas of learning and development are important and are interconnected.

In the Nursery, play is used as a vehicle for learning and provides opportunities for children to engage in activities that are both adult-led and child-initiated. In addition to play opportunities, the children will have whole group and small group sessions which are led by an adult.

For further information regarding the Nursery curriculum please see the Nursery Curriculum maps.

Funding

Nursery places are allocated to children aged three or four years old who are entitled to 15 hours or 30 hours funding. Please contact the school or look at the Essex information site for EYFS funding (www.essex.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs) for more information on what funding your child may be eligible for.

For further information regarding Nursery places please see the Nursery Admissions Policy and booking form. To organise a visit please contact: admin@merrylands-pri.essex.sch.uk or 01268 417893.