Letham Primary

Nursery Class
2016-17

All about us

Letham Primary School Aims

Learning
I want to learn skills for life and work now and in the future
I am excited by new experiences and challenges
I aim high
Respecting
I care for myself, others and the world I live in
I respect our differences and strengths
Believing
I have a sense of belonging and a part to play in an ever-changing world
I can bounce back from setbacks in learning and life
Being the best I can be, honest and kind, willing to try
Dear Parent/Carer,
Welcome to our nursery. Our aim is to provide your child with a happy, nurturing,
supportive learning environment. We encourage children to be active learners by taking
responsibility, making choices and developing independence. It is important for parents
and staff work together. We welcome involvement of parents in on-going nursery
activities.
We hope the following information will be of use to you.

Staff
Nursery Teacher: Mrs Gill MacLaughlan
Early Childhood Practitioners:
Mrs Christine Chatila Mrs Sally McDougall Mrs Michelle Longden
Mrs Julie Clark Mrs Dawn McIlvride
Miss Angela Watt Miss Janice Lennon Mrs Christine Mackay
Play Assistants: Mrs Mandy McColl Ms Julie McGill
Head Teacher: Mrs Sharon Forbes
Depute Headteacher: Mrs Joanne Oliver
Early Years Teacher: Miss Susan Johnstone
We are very fortunate to have such an experienced, dedicated team.

Nursery Day Our times are changing for August 2016.

AM: 8.45-11.57 PM: 12.03-3.15 Full day: 8.45-3.05pm

Each part time session is 3 hours and 12 minutes. This year PKC have offered parents more
choice of how they wish to use their childs 5 sessions. Children who have 2 sessions in one
day will take part in social lunch time with their peers and nursery adults. Our school cook
is wonderful!
Children must always be brought to and collected from nursery by a responsible adult (a
person over the age of sixteen). Please inform the nursery if anyone else is collecting your
child.

Learning and the Curriculum

All Scottish Schools follow Curriculum for Excellence. Learning experiences for children in
nursery are planned following Pre Birth to 3 guidance, Early Level learning in Curriculum for
Excellence and Building the Ambition. Our starting point is the child. We plan experiences
based on their interests and needs.
Your child is on a learning journey. We will talk about next steps and milestones throughout
the journey. Every child has a Pupil Profile. This is a large book tracking their learning
through school.

Educational experiences in the early years are developed through play. We currently
keep parents informed of learning through home-nursery diaries, our noticeboards and
website. You will be invited to discuss your childs progress twice a year at parent contact
appointments. If you wish further details about the curriculum which is offered, please
speak to nursery staff.
Your child will have a key worker who will happily discuss progress throughout the year on
an informal basis. You will have various opportunities to find out more about nursery and
the curriculum through stay and play and shared learning sessions.
Play helps build a warm relationship and strong attachments and it creates a bank of
positive feelings and experiences. Through play you can help your children to solve
problems, test out ideas and explore their imaginations. Playtime with adults encourages
the development of vocabulary so that children learn to communicate their thoughts,
feelings, needs + ideas.
The Incredible Years Carolyn Webster-Stratton

Developmental Milestones
Perth and Kinross have nine pre-school developmental milestones. We will discuss these
with you during your childs time in nursery. They are:
1. Speech and Language
Communicates clearly with adults and peers
2. Gross Motor Skills
Has good control of body movements
3. Fine Motor Skills
Has good control of fine body movements
4. Social Development
Demonstrates age appropriate social development
5. Emotional development
Demonstrates age appropriate emotional development
6. Behaviour
Demonstrates age appropriate positive behaviour
7. Attention
Demonstrates age appropriate attention span
8. Hearing
Child is free of Hearing impairment
9. Sight
Child is free of Visual impairment

Perth and Kinross Council Attributes and Skills Development

In Perth and Kinross Early level learning

Relates well to others and is gaining confidence when engaging with unfamiliar
people / situations.
Is beginning to develop some maturity in emotional literacy e.g. can recognise when
feeling happy, sad, angry, worried
Is keen to take part in health promoting activities
Shows a positive attitude to learning and tries new activities, including learning beyond
school, with growing confidence
Is beginning to demonstrate emerging literacy and numeracy skills across learning in
and beyond school
Is often able to work well as part of a group or team
Likes to be given special tasks /helping responsibilities
Is able to make simple choices and give reasons for them.
Is able to talk about his/her learning and can express in simple terms e.g. l am good
at and I am trying to get better at
Snack
We follow food and nutrition guidance from the Scottish Government; Setting
the table. A snack is provided for the children each day with an emphasis on
healthy eating. The snack menu is displayed on our nursery notice board.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STAFF ARE INFORMED, IN WRITING, OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES OR

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS.

A contribution from parents of 2.00 per week can be paid on Mondays. 1 of this is
compulsory and covers snack costs. The other 1 covers general fund for small items to
extend the curriculum. Each child receives free milk.

Special events
Please let us know about special events in your childs life. We aim to
celebrate each childs birthday in nursery. Due to clear food and nutrition guidance we
do ask that no cakes are brought in by parents. Thank you.

Tooth brushing
All children are invited to take part in the Tayside Tooth Brushing Programme. This is to
supplement tooth brushing at home. All children have their own brushes
and clean their teeth after snack. If you do not wish your child to take part
please tell your key member of staff or the nursery teacher.

Outings
Occasionally we visit local places of interest to extend our childrens
knowledge. A consent form for such outings can be signed when your child
starts nursery.

Clothing
When dressing your child for nursery please remember that your child should:
feel comfortable in order to enjoy and take part in nursery activities by wearing
suitable clothing and footwear.
be able to push up his/her sleeves easily in order to wash hands, take part in water,
sand and paint play.
be able to go to the toilet independently (as far as possible).

Children come to nursery to play and clothes may get pen, paint or other stains on them.
Aprons are always encouraged! Trainers are ideal footwear for all the activities your child
will be involved in. Welly boots are very handy to have at your childs peg.

All clothing should have your childs name on. A spare set (pants, socks, top and trousers)
can be kept in a bag on your childs peg.

Dress for Scottish weather! Bring a warm, waterproof jacket/coat

suitable for outdoor play and activities. Outdoor play is a daily
routine!
Sun Aware
During warmer weather please ensure that your child is protected
from the sun. It will help to protect your child from the sun if you:

Use sunscreen and please apply before your child comes to

nursery-SPF 30 or above.
Choose clothes that protect and keep cool. Ideally clothing made of cotton, with
collars to protect the neck, longer sleeves on tops, longer shorts and dresses.
Provide a hat to be worn outside- with a neck protecting flap, a wide brim or a cap
with a front shade.
If you choose sunglasses please make sure they have UV protection. Childrens eyes
are very sensitive to light.

Emergency contact
Should your child become ill or have an accident while at nursery it is most important
that we have an address and telephone number of someone other than
yourself. In all circumstances we would try to contact you first but another
contact is essential should you be unavailable.

Change of Address
Please let us know of any change to your address, telephone number, doctor name, etc.

Health
Please inform us of any change in your childs health and of any
infectious/contagious conditions.
In fairness to everyone please do not bring your child to nursery if he/she is
unwell. We do not have facilities or staff to care for an unwell child. If your child
has sickness/ diarrhoea they must not come to Nursery. They are able to return 48 hours
after illness has stopped.
Following Care Inspectorate guidance we will contact you should your child suffer a
bump to the head while at nursery.

Medication: A review of how medicines are administered in schools has recently taken
place across PKC. Due to this we have had to review our protocols. If your child requires
medication please arrange an appointment with Miss Johnstone to complete the
necessary paperwork.

Holidays
Holiday dates can be found on the Perth and Kinross council website:
http://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/7030/Future-school-term-and-holiday-dates-2016---2017

Parking
Please remember the car park at the front of the school is for staff and
visitors only. This area should not be used to drop off or collect
children at the start and end of their school day.

There is street parking on Struan Road for Nursery children.

The yellow zig-zag area at the front of the school must be kept clear at
all times this space is required for emergency vehicle access.

If disabled access is required please speak to nursery staff.

Parents as partners

Parents are welcome to share opinions and suggest improvements through questionnaires
and parent focus groups which provide an informal opportunity to be involved in
improving the service.

Parents have the right to ask questions and make suggestions or complaints about
aspects of nursery life. Please do ask nursery staff questions as we can usually answer
queries there and then! Should you wish to discuss any matter privately with Mrs
MacLaughlan please do not hesitate to make an appointment.
Likewise, if you should wish to speak with the Head Teacher or Depute Head Teacher
please make an appointment by calling at the school office or telephoning.

Letham Primary School,

Struan Road,
PERTH
PH1 2NL

Tel: (01738) 477550 Direct nursery number: (01738) 477556

Mobile: 07804 659 516 Absence Line: (01738) 477555

E-mail: letham@pkc.gov.uk

Website: www.lethamprimary.org.uk

Twitter: @LethamPSPerth

As Letham Primary is an ECO School we endeavour to be as paperless as possible. On our

website you will find important diary dates and forthcoming events as well as individual
class information. The site is updated weekly and we encourage you to access this as
much as possible.

Parents can make a complaint about a care service which is regulated by the Care
Inspectorate. Please see the nursery notice board for further information or refer to the
booklet: How to use the Care Inspectorate Complaints Procedure.
A parents suggestions box is in nursery.

We hope that you and your child will enjoy being with us at Letham.