Little Explorers induction sessions

At The Barn, we believe that your child’s first experience of nursery school should be a very special time. Our Little Explorers sessions are part of a carefully designed programme for all of our new children.

For six weeks, a parent and/or carer accompanies your child and, together, you will get to know your child’s Key Person, meet our staff and become familiar with our routines. These sessions are very informal and friendly, and are an excellent way to meet some of the other children and parents. At the end of the programme, your child will take the next steps on their learning journey when they join the children in the Explorers' Room.

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​How the Little Explorers sessions run

The Little Explorers sessions take place from 1pm to 2.30pm on six consecutive Thursdays.

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During Weeks 1-3, you will stay with your child and, together, you will explore The Barn and enjoy activities including painting, puzzling, reading and modelling. It is likely that your child will stay close initially and begin to move around independently as he/she becomes more confident.

From Week 4, it is your choice as to whether you stay or leave and return. We suggest that you talk with our staff and decide together what will be best for your child. If you leave The Barn, please remain contactable!

Wherever possible, children should attend all of the sessions, because every week we will be building on the experience from the previous week.

What the Little Explorers sessions cover

Over the course of the programme, we will:

• Arrange a time for conversation with you to find out more about your child and to introduce your child’s Key Person. In time, your child will begin to become familiar with the new routines and, most importantly, your child will learn that you (or another familiar adult) will always be there waiting for them when it is time to go home.

• Talk to you about topics including our routines, policies and procedures, accidents and injuries, behaviour management, learning journeys, lunchboxes and water bottles.

• Discuss the sessions that you would like your child to attend. All rising three-year-old children joining The Barn attend a minimum of two sessions (6 hours) over two days and then build up their time. If you would like to discuss sessions in advance of the induction sessions, please contact the office. Sessions are offered subject to availability.

Little Explorers ages and dates

The Little Explorers sessions are for children aged 2 years 6 months and above. They take place every half term:

• September – October

• November – December

• January – February

• February - March

• April – May

• June – July

Your child will be able to start his/her normal sessions after completing the Little Explorers sessions.

Cost

The first two sessions of Little Explorers are included in the Registration and Induction Fee. The cost of the remaining Little Explorer sessions is £75. You can use Early Years Funding for these sessions, if your child is eligible.

You can find more information on the Fees page of our website.

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What to bring to the Little Explorers sessions

Please bring:

• A small named backpack with a change of clothes and a spare nappy (if required)

• Named water bottle – preferably not a metal bottle or screwtop

• Named waterproof coat

• Named wellington boots

• Your child’s original full birth certificate (showing both parents’ names)

• Your child’s red health book

• Letters etc. from the hospital /speech and language therapist etc. relating to ongoing investigations and interventions

• File/information from previous/current childcare provider (if relevant)

• Medication, such as asthma inhaler.

• You can find more information about clothes, water bottles, etc that work well on the Coming to The Barn page of our website.

Forms to complete before the first Little Explorers session

Please complete and submit the following forms by 5pm on the Friday before your child’s first Little Explorers session:

• Admission Form

• Consents and Permissions Form

What to do when you arrive for Little Explorers sessions

• When you arrive, please queue outside the front door. We will open the door at 1pm. During the session, you and your child will be inside and outdoors, so please bring a coat if it is cold.

• Please turn off your mobile phone whilst you are at The Barn or, if you need to remain contactable, please put your phone on silent and go to the car park to receive/make any calls.