Nursery classes in independent schools

[Novembergirl]

I am aware of the move to less formal education for pre-school children, but wondered how many nursery classes in independent schools are following suit?

At this point I should probably add that my personal belief - shaped by time spent in Europe - is that formal education is best started later rather than earlier. So, unlike a number of parents, I do not want to 'push' DC but do want to ensure that learning remains 'fun.'

Is it usual to have formal, smallish, tidy classrooms - albeit without chairs and tables for all the children - or is yours full of toys, activities and lots of art and craft work?

Does your three and a half year-old practise writing his name (by tracing / following dots) and is there an expectation (possibly only amongst parents) that your child will be able to sign cards with help?

When are children taught to sound words - as opposed to learning letters - nursery or reception?

How many teachers/assistants/children are there in your child's class and is there formal discipline?

What happens in the morning: do the teachers put out fun activities to engage the children (and help remove said children from mothers' legs) or do you have to find something for your child to get involved in?

Sorry about all the questions, but I would be really interested in feedback from other parents.

[stealthsquiggle]

From what I know (and judging from the fact that DS only lasted a week in nursery before being 'bumped up' to reception):

• lots of activities laid out
• much less formal discipline than in reception (no formal 'golden time' type system), but they do some stuff (like eat lunch) with the rest of pre-prep and are therefore exposed to the standards which will be expected
• letter sounds in nursery, sounding words not until reception
• 1 teacher and 1 TA to ~12-15 children.
• Lots of toys and art
• not sure about expectations of writing names as DS already could when he went there - but (for example) Christmas cards would be normally entirely done by parents.

HTH

[traceybath]

Ok - my DS has just started reception of pre-prep and did a full year in the nursery class. Here's what happens at his school:

• one big classroom for nursery with some chairs and tables but also big play areas/sandpit/water play/dressing up area etc

• by the end of nursery he could write his name - was done in a very low key way and started off with tracing

• had a number and letter of the week but very low key

• has started proper phonics in reception

• were lots of teachers and all were lovely and cuddly

• was discipline but it was gentle and pro-active - would look out for disputes and deal with them before they got out of hand in my experience

• fun activities all laid out from 8.35am and then it was good morning time at 9am by which time parents should have left. Would cuddle and console weepy children.

Was a lovely introduction to school in my opinion with very caring lovely teachers.

[llareggub]

Have you looked at other nursery schools, or just one? I've looked at a couple so far. Both independent school nurseries have had fairly small classrooms, with plenty of toys and activities. One of the schools is very traditional, with children in uniform etc.

The private schools stressed that if they considered children ready, they would be taught reading and writing, but only if ready.

I looked at a state nursery today, which is purpose built, and has a large, open plan space dedicated to nursery children only. The nursery has a large, enclosed outdoor space with rain shelter, macs, wellies etc for rainy days. There is also a sensory garden. It is amazing, clean, with a huge variety of activities.

I am now rethinking my choice of nursery provision for my son.

[gladders]

ds is currently in nursery at an independent prep.

class of 23 kids, 1 teacher and 2 TAs.

classroom has 3 or 4 ittle tables and chairs but these are used for artowrk as well as some teaching. the teaching is of letter sounds, with children gradually progressing to simple words and basic reading during the year. each child works at their own rate and it's all fairly low key. they come home with little story books and words to sound out but again it's low key. they do practice basic writing and most of them can have a good bash at signing their name already - not sure it's an expectation as such though?

tons of toys and activities - all the children dash off to get started in the morning - there's no peeling off the legs at all, in fact i have to search him out to say goodbye!!

[dilemma456]

Message withdrawn

[snickersnack]

In answer to your questions:

• dd's classroom is small and fairly tidy, and does have tables and chairs for the children, but it's also packed with toys, books, puzzles and art and craft stuff, which they can help themselves to.

• dd could write her name before she started in September but they do practice (I think by following dots, or tracing for those who couldn't do it). I don't think there's any expectation that they can do it by this age.

• they are learning letters. They do one a week but it's very light touch. No sounding of words, as far as I know, at this stage.

• There's a teacher and a teaching assistant in a class of 12. I think the "discipline" such as it is is mostly of the explaining why something is unkind or unhelpful variety, with discussions with the parents if the behaviour continues. But I think, as a class, they're pretty well behaved so not sure it's arisen

• When I arrive there are activities out and the teacher suggests things, but mostly they all skip off and get going on something together. Today they were all playing with the whiteboard, last week it was the home corner. Not sure about the weepy children - there don't seem to be any any more. To start with there were a couple but they were so busy being cuddled by the staff that I don't think they realised their parents had left.

The school day (or morning) is quite structured - we were given a timetable showing when they did football, when they did maths, when they did art etc. But there's free time built in, and the sessions are short and informal, lots of stories, circle time, singing and so on.