Practical Details

Lunch

Children may have a two course cooked lunch or bring in a healthy packed lunch. The cooked lunch is prepared freshly each day by the Abbots Ripton C of E School catering team and will comply with the nutrition guidelines for young children. The children eat their lunch at the table with their peers and adults whilst enjoying socialising with them. If your child is bringing their own lunch, for the benefit of all children we ask that no sweets, chocolate, crisps or fizzy drinks be included. We also ask parents not to include nuts in lunchboxes, due to nut allergies. A healthy balanced lunch can consist of wholemeal bread sandwiches, salad, pasta, vegetables, yoghurt and fruit.

Term Dates

Autumn 2026
7 Sept - 18 Dec
Half term: 26 Oct - 30 Oct
Spring 2027
4 Jan - 25 Mar
Half term: 15 Feb - 19 Feb
Summer 2027
12 Apr - 20 Jul
Half term: 31 May - 4 Jun

Observations

During the sessions, the Key Teachers will observe each child using My Montessori Child; based on these observations, the child’s progress can be established and recorded. The Key Teachers makes learning plans and records the work accomplished; all two year olds have a progress development check. Development reports using photographs are compiled on each child attending the nursery.

Notices

Information for parents is displayed in a notice folder in the entrance. Through My Montessori Child the nursery publishes weekly news and planning with information about the activities we will be covering, as well as term dates.

Behaviour

The children are encouraged to respect themselves and others and care for their environment. Ground rules are explained to each child. Any concerns regarding a child’s behaviour are discussed with the parents to ensure consistency when dealing with a situation.

Items needed for school

Your child needs to bring the following items on a daily basis.

  • A coat and outdoor shoes
  • A complete change of clothes
  • Wellington boots for wet weather – to be left at school during term time
  • Waterproof trousers and jacket
  • ‘Croc’ style indoor shoes – to be left at school during term time
  • Sunhat and sun cream in warm weather
  • Gloves and hat in cold weather
  • Reusable water bottle

Parental involvement

Daisies Montessori Nursery School aims to forge a strong partnership with parents to support and enhance the development of the child. There are opportunities for parental involvement on a week by week basis and there is always something to celebrate in spring, summer and winter. For example, the nursery has a fun sports day in the summer, and a special Christmas nativity performance. The nursery has two formal parents meeting’s per year and encourages parents to contact the nursery through My Montessori Child, by e-mail or by requesting to see a teacher

Start of session information

Encourage your child to be independent by:

  • Arriving at the front door between 9.00-9.30.
  • Giving your child a big hug and a kiss and say goodbye at the door.
  • Your child will go in to the classroom independently carrying their school bag.
  • Once your child is in the classroom, relay any messages to the member of staff on the door.

End of session information

  • Arrive at the front door at either 12.00, 12.30 or between 2.40-3.00 depending on the session your child has attended.
  • Your child will be brought to you.
  • Items to go home will be in your child’s backpack.
  • Use these as a starting point to talk to your child about their day.

Rules and Standards

The children are encouraged to respect themselves and others and care for their environment. Ground rules are explained to each child. Any concerns regarding a child’s behaviour are discussed with the parents to ensure consistency when dealing with a situation. The mission of Daisies Montessori Nursery School is in part to help children become intrinsically motivated learners. We ask that children follow certain general classroom expectations as listed below.

  1. Any child can do work as long as they:
    • Have had a lesson
    • Work safely and appropriately
    • Work quietly
    • Respect themselves, others and the environment
  2. Take materials to a mat or table.
  3. Return work to the shelf in the condition it was found (or better).
  4. One child per activity (with exceptions governed by the teacher).
  5. Restore the environment:
    • Chair in
    • Spills/area cleaned up.
  1. No child touches the work of another or interferes with another’s activity by touching, correcting, taking over or behaving in a way that will disturb another’s concentration.
  2. A child may join another if he is invited or gets permission. This includes watching (watching is eyes only, not touching or talking).
  3. No child is ever forced to share her activity or materials (this could make them obsessive about their rights. A child must be 4 years old or older to truly share).
  4. Children are not forced to participate in a group activity. They may watch. They cannot disturb an activity they choose not to join. They may be excused if they participate inappropriately.
  5. Each child deserves the right to do nothing at all. They may sit and muse or take time alone. Doing nothing does not include wandering and disturbing the work of others.

Policies

We have compiled all of our policies into one document and also have our code of conduct and privacy notice available for download separately.