Links with Longstone Primary School
Although housed in the grounds of Longstone Primary School, we are an independent, self-governing charity. We do not aim to replicate school and have much more of a focus on learning through play but we do ensure that, when the time comes, our children are ready for the transition to school.
Most of our children progress on to Longstone Primary and we maintain close links with the school. Longstone School was rated GOOD with OUTSTANDING features by OFSTED in its latest inspection (Nov '13). We are lucky to benefit from the use of their facilities e.g. we use the sports hall for PE each week and have our own garden within their grounds and we also enjoy attending school events such as their Christmas Bazaar, Summer Fair, Movie nights and discos.
During the term before the children move up to primary school, the Reception teacher and teaching assistant come to visit the preschool to introduce themselves and to read the children a story. Later in the term, the children join the reception class for their story and snack time and they also spend a half day at the school to familiarise themselves even more with the surroundings and to meet the other teachers and staff.
One aspect of school life which the children can find daunting is lunch time and so children spend two lunch time sessions at the school, one where they bring their own packed lunch and one where they eat a hot dinner in the canteen.
The familiarity our children have with the school, its grounds and its staff gives them bags of confidence for the transition to school.
Attached below is a leaflet from Derbyshire County Council which aims to help parents understand what the majority of children should be able to do when they start in reception.
ready_for_school_leaflet_a5_may17.pdf
One aspect of school life which the children can find daunting is lunch time and so children spend two lunch time sessions at the school, one where they bring their own packed lunch and one where they eat a hot dinner in the canteen.
The familiarity our children have with the school, its grounds and its staff gives them bags of confidence for the transition to school.
Attached below is a leaflet from Derbyshire County Council which aims to help parents understand what the majority of children should be able to do when they start in reception.
ready_for_school_leaflet_a5_may17.pdf