Nursery
How are nursery sessions set up at Bowes?
Our Little Acorns Nursery offers both full-time and part-time places. The provision operates two sessions per day; a morning and afternoon session, Monday to Friday.
Children attending nursery on a part-time basis (15 hours) will be allocated either a morning or afternoon session, Monday to Friday. Those attending full-time (30 hours) will attend both the morning and afternoon sessions each day.
These sessions have been planned to align with the school day schedule. Please find the session times below:
As the 30-hour funding does not include the lunch hour (11:30am - 12:30pm), there is a weekly charge to cover staff costs. Parents will also be required to provide a packed lunch for their child each day. At the start of your child's journey at Bowes, you will receive a payment plan for the year. All payments are made via our school management system - Arbor, and we have a step-by-step guide on how to make the payments.
How will the school offer support to parents for their child starting nursery?
Part of the enjoyment in the lead up to a new cohort of children starting school is getting to know both new pupils and their parents. We understand that while this is an exciting time, it is also quite a daunting one, as parents prepare both themselves and their child for a greater level of independence. In preparation for this, we are invite families into school for two events in June and July.
Welcome Session for Parents
The first event is an initial presentation by the Headteacher, who will be joined by the rest of the Early Years Foundation Stage Team. Key information about the school is shared and parents have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Stay and Play Session for Parents and Children
We want to make sure that the children start nursery in September feeling happy and confident. To prepare them for this, we invite all the children and parents to come to school for a 1-hour stay and play session. The children visit the nursery provision, meet the nursery teachers and have an opportunity to take part in some activities that will be set up for them.
Will all the nursery children start at the same time?
To help children settle smoothly into nursery, we operate a staggered start. Once all admission forms are completed, the nursery class is divided into three groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C. Parents are informed of their child’s start date in June or July, allowing ample time to plan for any notice periods required by their current childcare provider.
Will my child get to meet their teacher before they start the nursery?
Yes, we offer all the parents of our new pupils the opportunity to have a personalised meeting with the nursery teachers at the start of September. We feel it is important to offer this time so that we can get to know the children before they start at Bowes.