Starting With Us

Settling In

We know that starting Nursery is a huge step for you and your child. Although it is exciting, for some parents and children it can also be an anxious and emotional time. Children pick up on your reactions. If your child notices that you smile and are relaxed in the company of the staff, they will take this as a cue that it is fine to stay. They will also notice and react if you appear anxious and may respond by becoming fearful and clingy. While most parents are naturally a little anxious about how their children will get on, try hard to remain calm and positive, as negative vibes will rub off on your child. Maybe your child has a comforter or a favourite toy that they could bring with them on their first few visits to nursery. Our settling-in procedures and key-person approach aim to help you both to feel comfortable in the Nursery and to ensure that your child can benefit fully from what we have to offer.

Key Person System

When your child starts St Michael’s Church Pre-School and Nursery, he / she will be assigned to a member of staff who will become their Key Person. The Key-Person’s role is to build close bonds with you as parents and meet the needs of each child in their care and respond sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behaviour. The Key Person will offer security, reassurance and continuity. They are in the best position to understand your child’s needs and share information with you about your child’s experience in Nursery.

Food and Drink

At St Michaels Church Pre-School and Nursery we regard meal and snack times as an important part of the day.

Our lunch is provided by Early Years Catering. Jessica Williams is a Health Promotions Specialist for Early Years Bristol who balances their menu to ensure a balance of the four main food groups: starchy foods, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, eggs beans and other non-dairy sources of protein, milk and dairy foods. All dietary requirements are catered for.

Meal and snack times are a happy, social occasion for children. Food is served in a calm and pleasant atmosphere, where children sing or say a prayer before mealtimes begin. Practitioners support children’s positive experiences of food encouraging them to try new foods and support them at serving themselves and developing their independence.

Snacks are available for children twice a day. In Caterpillars and Butterflies children have access to a snack bar in the morning and afternoon. Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day.

Your Child’s Profile

Every child who attends St Michaels Church Pre-School and Nursery has a profile. The Profile is a very important document which is used to track your child’s development throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage. It enables us to build up a story about your child, his/her learning, friends and activities he or she enjoys.

Throughout each day your child’s key person will observe your child in a number of situations and will record them in their profile; these observations include photographs, children’s mark-making, observations and learning stories. Your contribution to your child’s Profile is very important. When we share information on your child’s learning and development it gives us a clearer picture and together we can plan more effectively to help extend their learning.

What to bring to Nursery

We advocate that learning is messy: Children need to be dressed in old clothes or clothes that you don’t mind getting covered in gloop, paint or even mud!!! When your child returns to you with muddy knees or their sleeves covered in gloop it is a sign that your child has expressed their innate creativity, explored, experimented and discovered!

  • A named bag containing a change of clothes (or more if toilet training).
  • A named pair of wellington boots (these can be left in the setting).
  • Nappies/wipes/cream if in nappies.
  • Suitable clothing: In winter, please bring a named warm coat, hat and gloves.
  • During the summer term we provide sun cream for your child or you may supply your own. Please ensure that he/she wears a named sun hat as during fine weather the children are outside as much as possible.