🌼 Before Your Child Starts Nursery

We want every child to feel happy, safe, and excited about joining our Nursery. To help make the start as smooth as possible, we take gentle steps to help children settle in and get to know us.

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😊 Play and Stay Session

Before your child’s first day, you will be invited to a Play and Stay session.
This is a relaxed visit where your child can explore the Nursery, meet the adults who will be caring for them, and begin to feel comfortable in their new environment.

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🏡 Home Visit

During the week your child starts, two members of our Nursery team will visit you at home.

A home visit helps your child:

• Meet staff in a familiar, safe place

• Build early trust and confidence

• Begin forming warm relationships

• Share their interests and routines with us

• Feel more prepared for their first day

It’s also a great opportunity for you to ask questions and complete any paperwork.

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💛 Your Child’s Key Person

Every child is given a special adult known as a Key Person.
This person plays a very important role in your child’s Nursery experience.

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Your child’s Key Person will:

• Welcome and settle your child each day

• Be the familiar face your child can turn to

• Get to know your child’s likes, needs, and interests

• Work closely with you to support learning and wellbeing

• Help your child feel safe, confident, and ready to explore

A secure relationship with a Key Person helps children flourish in Nursery.

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🌱 Settling In at Their Own Pace

We know that starting Nursery is a big milestone.
To support this, children begin with shorter sessions so they can gently:

• Build relationships with staff

• Explore the environment

• Enjoy new routines without feeling overwhelmed

We increase their session times gradually, depending on how settled they feel.

Our aim is always to make Nursery a positive, happy experience.

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🏫 Getting Ready for School

At Wheelwright Lane, we believe being “school‑ready” means helping children develop confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

By the time children leave Nursery, we hope they will be able to:

• Separate confidently from their grown‑ups

• Listen and concentrate for short periods

• Communicate their thoughts and feelings

• Play cooperatively with others

• Show curiosity about the world

• Enjoy stories and talk about them

• Follow simple routines and boundaries

• Begin to take care of their own needs

These skills help children make a smooth, happy transition to school.

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🚀 Moving On to School or a New Setting

When it’s time for your child to move on, we work hard to make the transition calm and reassuring.

We will:

• Share information with the new setting

• Transfer records promptly

• Welcome new staff to visit your child

• Support your child in talking about their new school

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👋 Moving Up to Wheelwright Lane Reception

If your child is joining Reception at Wheelwright Lane, they will enjoy regular visits during their final term.

Children will:

• Spend time in the Reception classroom

• Meet the Reception teachers

• Join shared activities

• Explore more of the school

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By September, children feel confident, familiar with the new surroundings, and ready for their next exciting step.