Nursery / Reception

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
 

We offer places to children from the start of the term after their 3rd birthday. Children can start school in Nursery and are entitled to 15 hours per week free of charge. We also offer 30 hours provision for those children whose parents are entitled. Additional hours are also available where parents can pay for extra sessions.  We also provide wrap around care from 8am -5pm for all children who attend our school. 
 

For children wishing to start Reception, applications can be placed through Cumbria County Council Online or can be collected from the school office. Children can start Reception in the September after their 4th birthday.

Before your child starts in Nursery or Reception, you will be offered a home visit where class teacher, Miss Davidson and a teaching assistant from the class will come to visit your child in their home environment. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions and discuss your child's new journey into education. Children are then invited to come and attend two play sessions at school, to help them with their transition. 

Curriculum

Nursery and Reception children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. We plan for each child's individual learning requirements, including those with special educational support or who have specific needs or disabilities. Therefore a child will be working at their level of ability irrespective of age. 

At Newton we understand the importance of play based learning with adults working alongside to encourage and support children in their learning. Children have access to an indoor and outdoor learning environment which is available at all times. We encourage children to explore and use their senses to understand the world around them.

Within the EYFS setting, children take part in small and large group activities which are carefully planned and underpinned with structured teaching of basic skills in maths, phonics, reading and writing. 

We value parental engagement and offer an online learning journey, this enables parents to have a more active role in their child's education as well as viewing their child's  valuable learning in school.

Children are taught in a range of small phonics groups dependening on their phonics knowledge, in line with the LCP Phonics programme and some use of Jolly Phonics for songs and flashcards. Phonics is integrated into Literacy sessions and across the curriculum wherever possible. Children are taught to read High Frequency and Tricky words throughout the year. 

Reading Scheme

We have many reading schemes available in school including Oxford Reading Tree and Dandelion Launchers. Children progress through the Stages as their reading skills develop. When children have fulfilled the reading scheme a selection of free reading books are available.