Chiddingstone Nursery

Chiddingstone School and Chiddingstone Nursery School have strong links with each other and these are maintained in a variety of ways throughout the school year. Many, but not all, of the children from the Nursery join the Reception Class at Chiddingstone School*. Our links with Chiddingstone Nursery are important and help maintain our strong connection with the community.  

A good working relationship enables us to meet the children’s needs during the transition from nursery to school and ensures that the children, and their parents, are comfortable and happy about the changes. Together, the nursery and school aim to make the transition from nursery to school as smooth and successful as possible. This is done in a number of ways:

·      Once a week, during the summer term, the children from the nursery are invited to Chiddingstone School to join in with the KS1 Act of Worship. They stay on to share snack time and break time with the Reception Class. This enables the children to familiarise themselves with some of the school’s routines, members of staff, classroom resources and school layout, with the support of the Nursery staff.

·      As with all new starters, the Reception Class teachers visit the children in the nursery** during the summer term to get to know the children before they start school and spend time discussing each child with their key worker. 

·    In the summer term, all new starters, regardless of the nursery they attend, can join in transition activities including story time, "stay and play" with a parent / carer and a taster afternoon.

* please note, the school and nursery have different entry criteria and children attending the nursery do not automatically gain a place at the school. 

** Reception class teachers visit all settings where children attend prior to joining our school and children from all settings are invited for taster sessions.