In September 2017 St Margaret’s Academy opened our long awaited nursery. Our nursery is already a popular setting offering excellent facilities both inside and outside. Our ‘Ladybirds’ are split into two groups: the 2 year old room and the 3 and 4 year old room.
Currently our nursery provides morning and afternoon sessions during term time only from 9am – 12pm b or 12 – 3pm for 3 and 4 year olds. Children can also stay for lunch if they access our 30 hours. Our 2 year room is open mornings only.
Our nursery is staffed by four qualified support staff. The nursery is a fully integrated part of our school. Nursery children attend some whole school collective worships throughout the year and the staff all work together to make the nursery the best learning environment for the children. Already our ‘Ladybirds’ have taken part in a sponsored Muddy walk on the field, packed up our harvest donations with the Year 6 children and collected presents for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
We provide care for 2 year old, 3 year old and 4 year old children in our nursery. Please look at the information below or the Essex information site for EYFS for more information on what funding your child may be eligible for.
We have a separate purpose built room for 2 year olds. Whilst all of our nursery children play alongside each other throughout the nursery there is a small room where the 2 year olds can have quiet and calm learning time at different periods of the day. This room is supervised by 2 qualified members of staff at all times. The room has changing facilities for those who are not yet toilet trained. Staff are more than happy to help the toilet training process.
For those children who do not qualify for 2 year old funding, there is an option to pay for a nursery place. This is payable a half term in advance at £6 an hour or £18 a session via the school’s online payment system. Details can be obtained from the school office.
Every day is different in nursery but in general a typical session will include phonic activities, adult led activities, short carpet sessions, story time, snack and of course directed play through continuous provision
All children have snack at 10.30pm. A voluntary donation is asked for of 20p a day to cover the snack. This is again payable via the school’s online payment system.
We fully recommend coming to visit the school and nursery before your child starts. To arrange a visit please contact the school office. Contact details can be found on our contacts page.
For more information on the curriculum in Nursery, please look at our curriculum pages.
All 3 and 4 year olds are currently entitled to 15 funded hours of child care a week. Some families will also be entitled to 30 hours of funding.
If you have a 2-year-old, there may be government funding available to help with childcare costs if you meet the eligibility criteria.
More information about the funding and whether you will be eligible can be found at childcare choices at Essex.gov.uk.
