In September 2006 we opened a new nursery class for children aged 3 and over. The class is situated in a brand new, purpose built nursery on the Kents Hill School site. Kents Hill School is focused on providing high quality education and care for young children. All of our staff have chosen to work with children in this age range.
The school already has a very good reputation for its early years provision of education and the nursery class is an extension to this. We hope that children who attend the nursery will move on to our Reception classes and main school for Key Stage 1.
The unit can accommodate up to 39 children at any one time and children can attend either morning or afternoon sessions. As well as providing fully funded nursery education for five, two and a half hour sessions each week, we also provide wrap around care to meet the needs of working parents. We already have an established Care Club which looks after children from 8am to 5:45pm and this has been extended to include our nursery children. (Holiday Play Schemes are available locally for children from age 3 upwards to cover care of children out of term time).
Before your child starts at the nursery you are welcome to visit the unit and see it in action. The visits will also allow your child to become familiar with what will become their new surroundings.
Curriculum
Children in the nursery follow the Foundation Stage curriculum as do the children in Reception. There are six main areas of the curriculum which all have an equal importance. When children enter the nursery, staff assess what level the children are working at and then plan the curriculum for them according to their needs.
Facilities
Our nursery unit has a large indoor play area, a quiet room and extensive outdoor area.
The quiet area has an interactive whiteboard and projector for use by staff and children. It links to the internet on high speed broadband and is used extensively for teaching and learning.
In the main indoor play area there are another four PCs which have a wide range of software and have broadband internet connection. All the resources are brand new, having been selected for their educational value.
In the outdoor play area there is climbing equipment on a safety surface and an area where the children can ride the large toys. This equipment helps the children to develop their motor skills.
Children in our nursery are able to use the facilities of our main school which include a large field, environmental area and hall.
Staff
The nursery is staffed by a qualified teacher who plans the learning of the children within the unit. They teach within the unit and are supported by qualified nursery nurses and teaching assistants.
Security
Parents need to be confident that their children are safe when not in their own direct care. At Kents Hill we pride ourselves in the level of care we give our children. CCTV cameras are installed to protect your children and all of our staff have been trained in child protection and first aid. Our playgrounds are secure and supervised at all times.