The Nursery School

The Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School
Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3BA

The Nursery School

In January 1994 we made the welcome addition of a nursery school in Westward, the building opposite the main senior school. The Nursery is staffed by a well qualified Nursery Teacher and support staff. It offers pre-school children experiences which embrace all areas of their development; social, emotional, physical and intellectual. Visits are encouraged before entry so the children are familiar with their new surroundings. Entry itself is staggered at the beginning of the September term to enable each child to settle in easily and happily.

THE NURSERY DAY

The girls have a wide range of activities to choose from at the beginning of each session, including painting, sand, water, glueing, home corner, clay, baking and computer use. The aim of this period is to make it a purposeful, settled time when children play and work either with other girls or in

small groups with adults. The benefit to the children is that it helps to ensure continuity and stability, bit it also enables the nursery staff to introduce new and different materials to extend the children's learning and develop their interests. In addition, special programmes of activity are planned around topics and projects, sometimes involving visits and outings. They have a mid-session break for a snack and a drink and then weather permitting, are given the opportunity to go outside and use the well equipped outdoor play area which provides opportunities for imaginative play, physical activities and exploration.

Before the end of each session the children are encouraged to help in the tidying up. We end with group singing and story time. Sometimes a Junior School girl will read a story. We believe this helps to create a family atmosphere for all the young children and the junior girls thoroughly enjoy the participation with the younger children. At lunchtime the children are divided into small groups and eat with the nursery staff.

LIAISON WITH THE MAIN SCHOOL

The Nursery has close links with the infant department, especially the Kindergarten. Music, Gym, Dancing and French lessons are held in the nursery every week using the expertise of specialist teachers from the main school. The girls attend plays and concerts performed by the infants and by the end of their year are well acquainted with the Infant Department. In the summer term the children visit their new classroom and meet their Kindergarten Teacher. This helps to ensure a smooth transition from the Nursery School.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Church High School Tel. (0191) 2814306 Fax. (0191) 2810806 email - [email protected]