Hareside Nursery
Hareside nursery is a purpose built unit within Hareside Primary School. We are very fortunate to have a modern, attractive environment for our children to benefit from. Our nursery caters for up to 52 children in the morning from 8.30 – 11.30 and up to 52 in the afternoon from 12.30 – 3.30. Children can join our nursery from the age of 3 and remain until they begin reception year in the September following their fourth birthday.
Our nursery is led and staffed by fully qualified teachers and learning support assistants each of whom lead their own key worker group of up to 13 children.
Leadership of our nursery is by the school’s foundation stage leader who also leads our reception classes. This ensures good continuity across the whole of our early years phase.
Admission to Nursery
In our school we have two part time nursery sessions which provides five three hour sessions in the morning or five three hour sessions in the afternoon. Our Nursery admits children at the start of each term following their third birthday (earlier in some circumstances as below).
Rising 3 year old children
Depending on our nursery numbers and the month in which your child is born we can take children as they turn 3 years old. For example, a child who turns 3 in September could be offered a place at the end of September rather than waiting until the beginning of the next term in January.
Nursery admissions forms can be downloaded from our website or are available at the school office - 01670 712440.
Admission to Reception
Children are admitted to reception in the September after they turn 4 years old. We have two reception classes with thirty places available in each class.
Information about admissions to reception can be found at www.northumberland.gov.uk/admissions
If you have any queries or would like to arrange a visit to nursery please do not hesitate to contact our school office.
The Early Years Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage applies to children from birth to the end of their reception year (age 5) and incorporates children in both the nursery and reception classes. Our early years provision accommodates children from the age of 3 to 5 years.
It is our aim to lay firm foundations for learning. We provide a well-planned and organised play-based day where children participate in adult directed activities, as well as having opportunities to explore and develop their own areas of interest in child initiated activities. The indoors and outdoors environment is organised to support and extend the children’s learning.
There are seven areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
There are three prime areas which develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences. These run through and support learning in all other areas.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
Then there are four specific areas which include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas and provide important contexts for learning.
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
None of these areas can be delivered in isolation from the others. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult led and child initiated activities.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning run through and underpin the seven areas of learning and development. They describe learning processes that occur throughout every day activities and experiences. They also support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner. The Characteristics of Effective Learning are:
- Creating and Thinking Critically - Children have and develop their own ideas, making links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
- Active Learning - Children keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy their achievements.
- Playing and Exploring - Children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
