Nursery Year Group
Welcome to Nursery
Please click on the tab, 'Curriculum Information' on the right-hand side drop-down menu to access the Nursery Curriculum Information letter detailing what we are learning this half-term.
Key Information
Session Times
AM - 8:30am - 11:30am
All day 8:30am - 3:15pm
PM - 12:15am - 3:15pm
Start & End of the School Day
We have a flexible drop-off time between 8.30-8.45am and flexible pick up time between 3.00-3.15pm is available for families. Gates at both entrances to the school will open just before the start and end of the full school day. For families arriving to collect or drop off at the end of the morning or beginning of the afternoon Nursery session, please only use the Ashridge gate at these times.
When arriving for your Nursery session, if you do arrive late, after 8.45am for the morning session and after 12.30pm for the afternoon session, the gates will be locked and your child will need to enter school via the school office.
When collecting your child at the end of their Nursery session, you will have access to the school site just before this time. We politely ask that once you have collected your child, you move away from the door to allow other parents to be seen by staff. Please help us to keep children safe on the school site by not allowing them to play on or with equipment before or after the school day. Thank you.
If a different adult is collecting your child, please inform the school by emailing info@hillcross.merton.co.uk with as much notice as possible. They will need to know your parent password.
Clothing
Children in Nursery are required to wear school uniforms and for children in EYFS we offer two options: a Casual EYFS uniform or the more formal uniform option. Please see the uniform information page for details. All clothes should be easy to manage and ensure children are as independent as possible. They will require a coat and sensible footwear for each session (no plimsolls or open-toed shoes please) and all shoulder-length hair or longer should be tied back. As part of our uniform policy, we do ask that no jewellery is worn at school.
Please name all items of clothing and footwear.
Water Bottles & Snacks
Children must bring a water bottle in their house colour to school to ensure they keep hydrated throughout the day. Water bottles must be plain, transparent and clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Hillcross water bottles (which are sustainably sourced) are available to purchase at our pre-loved uniform sales. Dates of upcoming uniform sales can be found in the weekly bulletin.
In EYFS, children are provided with a piece of fruit as part of the government school fruit and vegetable scheme. Please do not provide your child with any additional snacks.
Every child aged 3–5 years is entitled to free milk provided by the government. If your child is unable to drink milk, please speak to a member of the team. Once your child turns 5, milk will need to be purchased via Cool Milk.
PE
Nursery do not participate in a set PE session in the Autumn term, instead they are involved in a daily physical development session in the EYFS outdoor playground. Please ensure your child is dressed comfortably and in clothes in which they are able to manage during toileting times, as well as ensuring their safety during the outdoor learning which is available each day. Please ensure that your child is wearing black trainers. Plimsolls are not recommended for all day wear, as they are not suitable for wet weather or outdoor sessions, nor do they offer appropriate support for young children's feet if worn across the full day,
Nursery start their PE sessions after Christmas, in the Spring term. They will need to wear the Hillcross PE uniform, please find more information on this here.
Outdoor Learning
Children in Nursery will need to have a coat with them in school each day as they have access to the outside environment all day every day. Please ensure you name their coat as well as all gloves, scarves and hats. In sunny weather, children will need a sun-hat to wear when playing outside. Please ensure that you have applied sun-cream to your child on sunny days.
Pencil Cases & Personal Belongings
Children are not to bring their own belongings, including toys or pencil cases into school from home - all equipment your child requires for their learning and well being will be provided by the school.
Home Learning
This will be set on Google Classroom on a Friday and will include information for families to help and support learning at home. Please click the tab on the right-hand side of this page, refer to our Home Learning Policy and/or Google Classroom for more information.
Get Involved!
There are numerous opportunities for you to join in with the life of the school in the following ways:
- Attending parent workshop opportunities
- Accompanying us on School Trips;
- Volunteering in School
- Supporting Friends of Hillcross Events (PTA)
- Parent/Teacher Progress Meetings (Autumn and Spring)
- Progress Celebration Evenings (Termly)
- Watching Sports Day (Summer Term)
Safeguarding
Hillcross is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff, governors, visitors, families and children to share this commitment. We have a Child Protection Policy and robust supporting procedures in place. Parents and carers are encouraged to visit the Safeguarding page of our website to find out more about these - please click on the tab on the right-hand side of this page.
