Pattison College > Pattison College > Early Years

Early Years

From the age of 3 children may join the Nursery section of the Early Years and continue to the Reception Class when they reach statutory school age. The aim of the Early Years is to encourage each child’s all round development – physical, intellectual, creative, social, moral and emotional – through play, activities, stories, singing, music and movement, whilst preparing them for the transition to Key Stage One, under guidance of a qualified and experienced staff.

Children are given the opportunity to develop their learning and interests as individuals and within very small groups. Phonics for writing and reading, maths games and group activities are an integral part of our daily routine.

Most Nursery pupils continue into main school. 3 year olds and full time 4 year olds are eligible for the Nursery Voucher Scheme. (Details from Mrs Dalton in accounts). However we are not registered for 2 Year Old funding.

What makes our Early Years special?

We are not just an Early Years setting, but part of Pattison College which has a reputation for excellent GCSE results, traditional values and discipline
There is a family atmosphere with only 140 pupils aged from 3 to 18+ in the whole school.
We have a long-standing tradition of excellence, the school having been founded in 1949.
In January 2009 we received a certificate from Ofsted, as a result of our Early Years Inspection in May 08 recognising Pattison College as an outstanding independent school.
Early Years children have the opportunity to be part of whole school events, productions, assemblies, etc.
Speech and Drama, Dance and Music, taught by specialist staff from an early age, boosts children’s confidence and self-esteem.

Aims of the Early Years

To encourage each child’s all round development – physical, intellectual, creative, social, moral and emotional – through play, stories, activities, music and movement, whilst preparing them for the transition to Key Stage One, under guidance of a qualified and experienced staff.

Sessions

Nursery Full time: 8.30 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.
Nursery Part time: 8.30 a.m. until 11.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. until 3.30 p.m.
Reception 8.45 a.m. until 3.30 p.m.
Before school supervision in available in the Early Years from 8.00am.
After school activities are available until 5.00 p.m. (6pm for age 8+)
Holidays are usually in line with the Coventry LEA schools.

What could my child achieve?

As our Early Years is part of Pattison College, we work towards the statutory ‘Early Learning Goals’ as laid out in the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage Framework’ but go beyond these requirements in preparation for the transition to Key Stage One, through work on Phonics for example.

What are the Early Learning Goals?

There are seven areas of learning and development for the Early Years Foundation Stage (from 3 years to the end of the Reception Year).

The three Prime areas which are crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, for building their capacity to learn and form relationships and thrive, are:

Communication, Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development

The four Specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied are:

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding of the World
Expressive Arts and Design

Who will care for my child?

Early Years Staff
Mrs L McCaughley B.A. (Hons), PGCE
Ms L Connor B.Tech. Nat. Dip. Nursery Nursing
Miss M Lawton Level 3 Diploma Childcare & Education

Before and After School Assistants
Ms L Connor
Mrs Plastow

Vocational Staff
Miss Jessica Dance
Miss Monique Drama
Mrs Sewell Music

Admission Arrangements

Prospective parents come and visit the school either with or without their child. They will usually be shown round by Mr John Taylor, the Head Teacher or if he is not available by Mrs. T. Hanks, the School Secretary. This is an opportunity to meet the staff and children and see what goes on at Pattison College.

The visit will include the whole of the Prep School as pupils stay on to further their education after Early Years. The child then comes for a morning or afternoon session with a parent who stays as long as he or she wishes.

Following the visit, if it is felt that the child has settled well and would benefit from what we have to offer, parents will receive a letter offering a place. That place is secured on completion of an Enrolment Form and payment of £375, £300 of which remains on your account until your child leaves.

What are the fees?

At the moment full time Nursery fees are £2260 per term. Part time fees (minimum 6 sessions per week) are £50.00 per day and £32.00 per half day. Reception Fees are £2354 per term (Until Sept 2020). Please see the Fees page for more details.

A standing order facility can be arranged by our finance office if that is more convenient. Details on request. All fees are payable in advance. There are three terms a year.

What about the vouchers?

3 and 4 year olds are eligible for the voucher scheme. The finance office has all the details re birth certificate requirements and will be pleased to help you.

What do I need to teach my child before he/she joins?

We encourage children to be as independent as possible. They will settle more easily if they are well on the way to being able to do the following:

Follow instructions

Go to the toilet unaided
Dress and undress
Put on shoes
Wipe his/her nose
Wash his/her hands
Care for possessions
Share possessions
Talk to and listen to others
Listen to stories
Sing nursery rhymes and songs

What shall I do if my child is ill?

Please do not send your child to school if he/she is not well. If your child is suffering from a sore throat, persistent chesty cough, discharge from the eyes, a doubtful rash, head lice, a temperature, sickness or diarrhoea, please keep your child at home either until the symptoms have cleared or until you are sure that he/she presents no danger of infection to others.

Please telephone the office as soon as possible so that we can be aware of the problem.

The following guidelines for infectious diseases are important:

After illness do not return to school until:-

Sickness and diarrhoea- 24 hours after symptoms stop.

Chicken Pox – 5 days after spots appear dry.

Head lice – 24 hours after treatment.

Measles/German Measles- 4 days after rash has disappeared

If your child becomes sick at school, we will contact you on the emergency telephone number supplied on the annual records.

School Uniform

Girls

Winter: Regulation pinafore, striped blouse, tie, cardigan/sweatshirt, green tights or ¾ green socks

Summer: Regulation checked dress, cardigan/ sweatshirt, sun hat and plain white ankle socks,

Boys: Regulation beige shirt, tie, jumper/sweatshirt, grey trousers, grey socks, a sun hat and short trousers are worn in summer.

Regulation green, fleece lined, coat and blazer for boys and girls.

Shoes: Black leather in a suitable school style. No designer labels. Kickers, CAT etc.

Regulation book bags and shoe bags are available from school.

School uniform is available online from Clive Mark Schoolwear, http://www.clivemark.co.uk/ . The PTA keeps a selection of clean, outgrown but not outworn blazers and also holds second hand uniform sales once a term. The organiser, Mary Colville, can be contacted via email: mcolville80@aol.com

What about meals?

Lunchtime is a learning experience and well balanced meals are provided. Staff encourage the children to eat independently with good table manners. Milk is provided for the morning break and children bring one piece of fruit per day for the afternoon.

Home/School Partnership

Successful education is dependent on a two-way partnership between home and school. We are working together for the benefit of your child and parents must never hesitate to come to see us if they have any problems. In the first instance see either Mrs McCaughley or Miss Connor . Alternatively please make an appointment through the office to see Mr Taylor.

Special Needs

If anything about your child’s progress or general development is giving you cause for concern e.g. learning development, speech and hearing, please let us know as soon as possible, so that we can consider whether it might be appropriate to contact the relevant outside specialists for their help and guidance. We equally discuss any concerns we may have with you before contacting any outside agency.

Small children vary greatly from one individual to another in how they react to changes at home e.g. parent away on business, change in childcare, illness or death, loss of a pet etc. Please let us know of anything that may be affecting your child’s mood or behaviour, however trivial it may seem, so that we can deal with things sensitively.

Quotations from our Independent Schools Inspectorate Report

‘Children in the EYFS make excellent progress in their learning and development.’
‘Outcomes for children in the Nursery Class are well above expectations for this stage.’
‘By the end of the Reception Year, most children have far exceeded the national expectations for their learning and development.’
‘The personal development of pupils in all year groups is excellent.’
‘The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils is excellent. ‘
‘Pupils’ social development is excellent.’
‘A strength of the school is the interaction between pupils of different ages, with senior pupils acting as mentors for younger ones.’
‘Pupils’ behaviour throughout is excellent.’ Pupils are highly courteous to staff and considerate of one another.’
‘Pupils behave extremely well and feel safe.’
‘The contribution of arrangements for welfare, health and safety is excellent.’
‘Links with parents are excellent.’

(ISI Inspection September 2014)

NB The ISI do not use the term “Outstanding” but “Excellent”, “Good”, “Sound” and “Unsatisfactory”

Having seen this website I do hope you will want to visit us and see what we have to offer.

Pattisons is a very special place. Do come and see for yourself.

Should you need more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

The staff and pupils look forward to meeting you.

John Taylor