Early Years Foundation Stage
At Kimpton Primary School we believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life in order for them to fulfil their potential. Our Nursery and Reception classes are referred to as the Early Years Foundation Stage. In these year groups we follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Development Matters (Revised 2021) and Birth to 5 Matters 2021 are documents which are used to support our teaching.
A secure, safe and happy childhood is every child's right. A strong parent partnership with school provides the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow. We use the online journal tool Tapestry to record examples of adult-child interactions and share information with parents. Parents also have the opportunity to upload images and observations on what their child has been doing outside of school.
The Kimpton vision sets out for all of our children, the importance of feeling safe and happy so that they are ready to learn. We want the children in Early Years to be inspired with a love of learning, achieving today and ready for tomorrow with a curiosity to know and understand more. We have a variety of planned sequences of teaching that we use along with our Unique Curriculum Ambitions - aspirational skills that we want all children to achieve by the end of Reception. Our Early Years' curriculum follows the children’s interests, ensuring the learning is relevant, challenging and exciting.
As children commence their journey at Kimpton Primary School, we begin to develop and nurture strong positive attitudes developing and following the K Factors (Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Positivity, Honesty and Cooperation) which are encouraged through all aspects of the school.
What to do next…
If you would be interested in sending your child to our nursery, please read through our nursery admissions guidance via the link below:
Frequently asked questions...
There are now many options available to parents in relation to childcare. For further details on what these options are please visit the new Childcare Choices Website (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) set up by HMRC. This also gives information about the new Tax-Free Childcare scheme and includes a childcare calculator so you can compare your different options. You can also register to receive emails about the new childcare schemes available at: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/childcare-schemes-interest/welcome
If you are interested in signing up to Kimpton Nursery for your additional 15 hours you need to visit the website www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parents which will allow you to check if you are eligible.
Access the website https://childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/applynow which will take you through a set of questions, taking around 20 minutes. Before you start you will need the following information:
- your National Insurance number
- if you're self-employed, your Unique Taxpayer Reference
- You're sent a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) when you first register for Self Assessment. Your UTR is on notices to file a tax return or payment reminders sent to you by HM Revenue and Customs. Look for a 10-digit number, sometimes with a letter 'K' on the end. It's sometimes just called 'tax reference'.
- the date you started, or are due to start work
- details of any other government support you get
- your child’s NHS number
Once you have your 30 hours code beginning with the digits 500xxxxxxx you will be able to bring it into school with your child’s DOB, their NHS number and your National Insurance number and register with us.
If you have any further questions or queries, please do not hesitate in contacting us and we will do our very best to answer your questions.
At the moment we are set up to accept vouchers from Edenred, Computershare and Sodexo. If you receive childcare vouchers from another provider please contact us on 01438 832394 to discuss any queries.
All children have the morning session in the Nursery classroom with the class teacher and Early Years Professional (EYP) from 8.45-11.45am. At 11.45am the children have lunch with the Reception class in our small dining room, overseen by an EYP from the Nursery or Reception class. After lunch the children enjoy some time outdoors on the KS1 playground, overseen by an EYP until 1.00pm.
For the afternoon session the Nursery children join the Reception class. For the first 20 minutes they have a small group session in the Nursery classroom, led by the Nursery EYP. They then return to the Reception classroom for an afternoon of exploring time.
Nursery
Our Monday-Friday morning sessions provide the 15 hours universal provision. We also offer afternoon sessions for children eligible for 30 hours funded childcare, or on a paid basis for children not eligible for 30 hours. Please do read the information below and call the school office if you have any further questions.
30 Hours Funded Childcare for 3 and 4 Year Olds
To find out if you are eligible for the 30 hours provision, please read:
30 Hours Childcare Eligibility
30 Hours Provision at Kimpton Primary School Nursery
As a school we have a PAN (Published Admission Number) of 26 and so are able to cater for 26 children in our Nursery setting.
Our mornings run for all, including the 15 hour universal entitlement. The morning session is from 8:45am until 11:45am.
For parents eligible for, and wishing to take up, the 30 hour provision, there are two options:
- your child can attend Monday-Friday from 8:45am until 2:45pm
OR
- your child can attend for four days from 8:45am until 3.15pm (to finish in line with the rest of the school), and attend from 8:45am until 1:00pm on the fifth day. If you want your child to attend until 3:15pm every day you can pay for the remainder of the fifth day at a cost of £9.00.
If I am not eligible for 30 Hours Funded Childcare?
If you do not meet the 30 hour entitlement criteria, your child can still access lunchtime or afternoon sessions on the following, paid for, basis:
- 11:45am until 1:00pm for lunch club (£7.50)
- 11:45am until 2:45pm paying for the extra 3 hours (£18.00)
- 11:45am until 3:15pm paying for the extra 3.5 hours (£21.00)
- School lunches are also available to Nursery children staying for lunchtime, at a cost of £2.45.
Payment will need to be made in advance of the sessions and booked for half a term in advance.
The Early Years Foundation Stage consists of seven areas of learning:
Communication and Language
Your children will learn to speak and listen in a range of situations. They will be engaged in activities which will broaden and enrich their language and vocabulary. They will develop confidence and skills in expressing themselves in a variety of different ways.
Upon entry to Nursery and Reception we assess children's communication and language using the WellComm tools. This allows adults to identify early on which areas children are confident with and which areas may need some additional support.
Physical Development
This develops children’s co-ordination, control and movement. It also involves learning about the importance of physical activity, and guides children on making healthy choices in relation to food.
Both Nursery and Reception have a PE slot each week to further develop their physical skills. We use a program called Get Set 4 PE to support teaching.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
This involves children developing a positive sense of themselves and others; forming good relationships and respect for others; developing social skills and managing their feelings and behaviour; and developing confidence in their own abilities.
We use the Jigsaw PSHE program to support our teaching.
Literacy
Children will learn to link sounds and letters and be encouraged to develop a love of books. They will begin to read and write.
We use Read Write Inc to support the teaching of our phonics. Please follow the link below for more information on this scheme.
Mathematics
Children will develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers. They will begin to solve simple problems involving addition and subtraction. They will also learn to describe shapes, spaces and measures.
We follow the Herts for Learning Reception Essentials for Maths materials.
Understanding the World
This involves children making sense of their physical world and their community. They will have opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children will explore and experiment with a wide range of materials and media. They will also be encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a range of activities in music, movement, dance, role-play, art, and design and technology.
EYFS Unique Curriculum Ambitions
