Foundation Stage Nursery - Summer 2005

Nursery

(Even if your child is currently in Reception it will be useful to have your views in relation to your, and your child?s, experiences in Nursery.)

Summary of Views

The overall impression is that parents are very satisfied with the information they receive about admission although some recognised, as we had identified, that the Nursery Booklet needs updating.

Very positive views expressed about the nursery staff and the level of helpfulness ? this particularly positive view being most prevalent in the last eighteen months.

There were mixed views about home visits with some parents valuing them and others feeling they were a waste of time.

Parents felt that the new arrangements for phasing new starters in more quickly was very welcome as the old very staggered start was disliked.

Actions/Response

Nursery booklet is to be re-written.

Home visits have stopped as views were mixed and they were very time and resource consuming.  Parents are invited into Nursery for a one to one meeting with the teaching staff prior to their child starting Nursery

Summary of Views

View about this visit were very positive and parents felt it was valuable for a number of reasons:

·        It put parents minds at rest

·        Allowed parent to see how well, and positively,  the staff related to their children

·        Good to meet the staff

·        Useful to settle children

Parents ( 2003/4 intake) criticised the long induction period ? this was changed before the 2004/5 intake.

One parent thought the time between the induction visit and the start in September was too long - unfortunately there is little that could be done about this due to the summer holiday.

Actions/Response

Continue with these visits and the changes already implemented.

Summary of Views

Response to this question was largely positive. Staff were described as being very approachable and comment made that problems were always dealt with. Parents particularly liked the opportunity to talk to the staff at the end of the session.  Staff were found to be very approachable with a positive difference noted in the past two years.

One parent commented that Nursery do not always get the same information as main school.

One parent felt that concerns about her child were not communicated early enough.

Actions/Response

Continue with more of the same attitude and ethos. The concerns expressed related to the nursery before staff changes.

Reports have been redesigned.

Summary of Views

Parents felt very positive in response to this question and the vast majority felt that the homework was appropriate to the age group and an excellent idea. Homework was felt to be relevant, interesting and helped parents to support children appropriately. One parent felt that there was not enough homework. Two parents thought that children didn?t get any.

Actions/Response

Some parents asked for suggestions as to how they can help.  We aim to address this through leaflets, newsletters, other informatin provided and by making it clear to parents that we are available to advise as required. 

Since homework in Nursery is not compulsory this perhaps explains why some parents thought their children didn?t get any as it was available for parents to take home.  We will attempt to make the homework more obviously available.

Summary of Views

Many parent expressed the view that these contacts were reassuring, informative provided good opportunity for dialogue.  Parents felt that staff knew their children well and that they felt they could talk to the Nursery staff informally on any occasion to seek  information about progress.  Some parents felt that progress reports were too infrequent and  should be conducted in private.

Actions

We have reviewed our system of reporting to parents and of keeping them informed about work their children are undertaking.  However, this has been further influenced by the fact that we are moving to single intake into reception in September 2006. The revised arrangements will be fully implemented in 2006/2007.

Summary of views

This was answered very positively and the majority feeling was that information provided was clear, timely, informative and useful.  One parent felt they would like more information as to how to help their child.

Actions/Response

Ensure all parents have access to information as to how to help their child.

Parents Meetings

(Information Meeting after entry to Nursery)

Informative - 2

Difficult for working parents

None as yet ? 6

Good - 2

V Good ? 2

Pre -  2004

Not all children/parents treat equally

Do not like extended induction