If you would like to view our nursery please email office@rayne.essex.sch.uk
Welcome to Nursery – Monet Class
Rayne School Nursery is led by Miss Barnard. She is supported by our early years practitioner Miss Bright.
The Nursery also offers training to Nursery Nurses and Trainee Teachers. Staff from the main school often visit and support us in our learning.
Primarily, at Rayne School Nursery we aim to make all aspects of learning fun! We provide children with a range of opportunities to build on the skills they already have and challenge them in preparation for school. Children learn through first-hand experience, play-based and teacher-led phase 1 phonic activities. These activities are based around high quality texts which where possible will follow the children’s interests. We follow the EYFS curriculum and value every child as an individual.
We use ‘Tapestry’ which is an app where we can send photos and observations of your child to you. You also have the opportunities for you to comment on the posts and share your own phots and activities from home. This will enable you to keep you as updated as possible with your child’s learning and development. We value our relationships with parents, if you have any questions please email: office@rayne.essex.sch.uk. We are excited to be a part of your child’s first steps in their own learning journey.
Rayne Nursery Admissions
What age will the children be?
The nursery class is for 3 – 4 year olds. Parents will be able to apply for a nursery place starting the term after which their child becomes 3 years old.
Who will teach and care for my child?
The class will be led by an experienced early years teacher. The team will also include a nursery nurse or level 3 early years practitioner. There will be 26 places morning and afternoon.
What time are the sessions?
Our morning sessions run 8.30 – 11.30 am and the afternoon session runs 12.30 – 3.30pm. Parents can drop off until 8.40 am and collect after 3.15pm to fit with their siblings primary school day, if needed.
All 3-4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours free nursery provision. This could be taken as 5 morning sessions, 5 afternoon sessions or a combination of full and half days. Additional morning and afternoon sessions could be requested at a cost of £18.00 per session, subject to availability.
There will be the option to stay after their morning session, or come early for their afternoon session, for lunchtime supervision (11.30am - 12.30pm). This will be available to children who attend either session with an additional charge of £6.00. Your child may bring a packed lunch or order a hot school meal at a cost of £2.60. Once your child has secured a lunch session this will be invoiced at the beginning of every half term and payable whether they attend that session or not. This will not be covered by the 15 or 30 hours entitlement.
Some 3 – 4 years olds are entitled to 30 hours free nursery provision. Click here for more information: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare. The 30 hour provision could also be split with another provider as long as at least 15 hours were in Rayne Nursery. This can be used for up to 5 full days (10 sessions) 8.30am – 3.30pm, subject to availability. An additional charge will be made for the lunch time. (£6.00 per day)
For children staying for a full day, they could either go home for the lunch break (11.30am - 12.30pm) or stay for lunch. There would be a charge for the lunchtime supervision of £6.00. Children can either bring a home packed lunch or have a hot meal at an additional cost of £2.60.
As we are a school nursery, drop off and pick up times are set and are not flexible. This ensures that the children have the best learning experience during their session.
All additional sessions must be paid for in advance at the beginning of each half term. Refunds cannot be made for absence.
How can I apply?
Parents will be required to complete an application form requesting a place for the term after which their child becomes three. Applications will be considered in the preceding term and confirmed by the school. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis. Should the number of applications exceed the number of places they will be put on a waiting list and be allocated by the schools admissions criteria. These are:
- Looked after children
- Siblings of children attending Rayne Nursery and Primary School
- Children living in the catchment area for Rayne Primary and Nursery School
- Children living outside the catchment area
Please note: A place in the Rayne nursery class is not a guarantee of a place at Rayne Nursery and Primary School. All parents need to apply through the Local Authority for a reception place
If you would like to apply for a nursery place, please complete the following application form 2023-24 or application form 2024-25 and return to the school office or via email to office@rayne.essex.sch.uk.
Learning in our Nursery
Learning in the Nursery is divided into seven areas of Learning. These are:
- Physical Development
- Personal Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
From a variety of topics we create activities to develop children’s learning and understanding. We also really encourage a child initiated approach allowing each child to explore their individual interests inside as well as in the outside environment. An overview of the nursery curriculumm is available here.
At Rayne Nursery our aim is for your child to develop a range of skills to build the foundations for many years of learning, through playing, exploring and most importantly by having fun! We know that your children will certainly develop whilst they are with us.
Starting Nursery is an important landmark. You can be sure that the Nursery staff, working in partnership with you as a parent, will strive to make this a positive and exciting event for your child.
We value each child as an individual whose needs and interests are unique and who, through carefully structured play experiences, will develop intellectually and socially to enjoy the benefits of being part of a wider group beyond that of the family.
At Nursery we hope to lay the foundation of your child’s education and to encourage positive and stimulating attitudes to learning which will be of value throughout your child’s time at school.
Transition into Nursery
Our Nursery provides the first link between Home and School, and one of the first things we will do is talk to you to find out as much as possible about your child. You know so much about them so please use this transition period as a time to share all knowledge with us.
Elements of transition:
Informal Information Evening – we will provide you with a wide range of information, time to look around the nursery and ask any questions you have.
Home Visit – if you would like us to we will visit your child at home. This visit is intended to be an informal short visit to meet your child in an environment which they feel comfortable.
Children often remember this visit and feel more secure when they come to visit us at the Nursery.
Nursery visit – your child will then be invited to spend a short session at the Nursery. This will provide your child with the opportunity to become more familiar with the staff and environment.
There will be plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions and to share information with us during this time.
Click here for nursery term dates
