Welcome to Nursery!
| Miss Gartside | Class Teacher |
| Current vacancy covered by supply | Teaching Assistant |
Welcome to our Nursery
Miss Gartside gives you a warm welcome to our lovely Nursery! Take a look at our Introductory leaflet here: Welcome to Meanwood Nursery
We are very proud of all that we provide here, and of how the children attending Meanwood learn and develop together. Focussing on what is best for every individual child, and using the most expert knowledge of what helps young children to learn, we provide a warm and nurturing environment that enables each child to thrive. In our EYFS unit, children will engage in group teaching sessions, and have opportunities to learn through play in our lovely indoors and outdoors provision.
Recently renovated to a high standard, the Nursery provides a bright, beautiful, high quality environment for your child's learning. In addition, starting Nursery at Meanwood will ensure that your child is ready for their school journey. Our Nursery children have wonderful role models in our kind and respectful Reception children.
At Meanwood, we develop our core values of Kindness, Responsibility and Respect. We value learning to communicate, read and write. We develop wonder and curiosity in the world around us. We are creative and use our imaginations. We secure a good understanding of early number sense.
NEW - We are offering FULL-TIME places for families entitled to 30 hours from January 2025!
Our sessions are 8:45—11:45 Monday—Friday, for families entitled to 15 hours.
OR extended sessions 8:45—3:15 Monday—Friday, for families entitled 30 hours.
We are open in term time only.
We are now accepting applications. Contact the school office for further details on 01706 648197 or email office@meanwood.rochdale.sch.uk
Come and take a look! We offer regular pre placement visit sessions, bookable via the school office.
Why should I choose Meanwood?
Don’t just take our word for it!
“I feel that my child’s needs are constantly being considered on an individual basis”
“Amazing teachers who always appear happy and interested in what each child is doing or saying.”
“The school is fabulous”
“Meanwood now has a strong emphasis on children’s emotional and mental wellbeing along side their academic education”
“My children are relatively new here but they love it. Just wish we moved sooner.”
Do I have to pay for nursery?
At Meanwood, children can attend from the term after their third birthday. In Rochdale we provide free early education places up to 15 hours per week for all 3 and 4 year-olds, or 30 hours per week for children whose families are entitled.
Full-time places have an additional cost of £13.75 for the additional 2.5 hours over the 30 hour entitlement, payable via School Comms. To avoid the additional cost; your child can be collected at 11:45 on Fridays.
What will my child need?
It is helpful if children are able to do certain things before they arrive, so here are a few ideas about how you can help them get ready for starting Nursery. Try to encourage them to do some things independently, for example, putting on their own coat and taking it off; assisting with dressing; drinking from a cup; using a spoon and carrying their own bag. It is amazing what young children can do when they are shown! In addition, once your child is ready, try to potty train them and help them to learn how to use the toilet independently.
Don't worry though if your child has not managed to achieve these things before they start Nursery. We will of course give them all of the help they need, and work with you to help them continue to grow and develop, wherever they are up to when they arrive.
When children do come to Nursery they will need suitable clothing for our very changeable weather, clothes which are easy to manage, and velcro shoes. Although uniform is not compulsory, we do recommend it as a cheap, suitable option for our lively Nursery environment. Your child will be provided with a book bag in which to keep their things when they arrive. This includes their library book, which they will be able to choose every Friday once they have settled in.
Curriculum and Useful Documents
A guide for parents on what to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS):
https://foundationyears.org.uk/files/2021/09/What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL-16.09-compressed.pdf
EYFS resources for parents: https://foundationyears.org.uk/2019/09/resources-for-parents/
Find out why early childhood matters - from the Centre for Early Childhood:
https://shapingus.centreforearlychildhood.org/
Fun ideas and activities you can try at home with your child
Fantastic ideas and fun activities to help develop your child's communication and language: https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/3-to-4-year-old-child-development-activities
Nursery rhymes and songs by the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/school-radio/nursery-rhymes-songs-index/zhwdgwx
Music: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/melody
Books, stories and activities: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/have-some-fun/hometime-for-your-child/
Physical and movement activities: https://www.earlymovers.org.uk/activities
Child friendly yoga: https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicKidsYoga/videos
Games and activities for toddlers and preschoolers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/curations/fun-activities-for-toddlers-and-preschoolers
If we have more applications than places
If the number of applicants is less than the number of places, the school will admit all applicants. However, if places are oversubscribed, these admissions criteria will be used:
Where a child has an Education Health Care Plan naming Meanwood Nursery, the child will be allocated a place before any other places are allocated.
The remaining applications are considered in the following order of priority:
1. Children in the Care of a Local Authority or other exceptional welfare needs (request must be supported by a social worker or other professional.)
2. Children with medical or developmental needs or a disability. Evidence of additional needs must be provided by a health care professional who is currently working with the child, e.g. Speech and Language Therapist, GP or Health Visitor (using information from other health professionals such as a paediatrician.)
3. Children with older siblings attending the school.
4. Proximity to school.
Children who are not offered a place to start will be put on a waiting list and whenever a place becomes available, this will be allocated according to the above criteria
Virtual Tour
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