Flying Start in N1-J2
We love the sound of laughter in our Nursery where we find the right balance between the provision of free play and more structured learning.
During time in Early Years children will develop so much, socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Time flies when we are having fun!
Joining our Nursery is the first step on the Kelvinside Academy educational journey for your child. Our Nursery pupils regularly spend time in Junior School making their transition to Junior 1 effortless. When they move to Junior School they settle very quickly having had the advantage of knowing the Junior School staff and being very familiar and comfortable with the site.
Each part of our Early Years journey is designed to ensure that everyone flourishes in the right surroundings, supported by the very best team of professionals with an appropriate level of challenge, support, and engagement for their developmental stage.
Clare Sweeney, Head of Junior School and Nursery, is supported by Tracy Nugent, Deputy Head of Junior School & Head of Nursery, who splits her time between the Nursery and Junior School. Our Deputy Nursery Manager, Pauline Argue, oversees the Nursery on a day-to-day basis. This senior team lead a team of qualified nursery nurses with extensive experience and a vocational approach to childcare. It is this combination of qualifications, experience and distinctive approach that makes us one of the best nurseries in Glasgow.
The Early Years Journey
Children can join N1 from their 3rd birthday.
Partnership funding is available from Glasgow City Council.
N1 and N2 are the start of the learning journey leading to School at Kelvinside Academy. The combination of play and learning is invaluable in preparing your child for J1 and J2. By tailoring their education to meet each child’s individual needs we give them the best possible start as they develop new cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills.
They learn to listen, follow instructions and work well individually and in a group - essential skills for a successful transition to school.
Children at our Nursery enjoy exciting play opportunities that in turn develop and teach them all the core skills of Early Years Learning. Through broad and balanced experiences, the children are encouraged to play, to learn and to share.
In the Nursery, children have a designated keyworker who gets to know them really well. They are there to encourage when children are feeling brave to explore, and will be ready with reassurance and a favourite cuddly toy if feeling a bit under the weather too.
All our Nursery staff have a caring and nurturing approach, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, guiding them sensitively through many of their first experiences, promoting and encouraging children’s sense of self, cooperative skills and confidence to achieve and be anyone they want to be!
N2 is the pre-school year. There are lots of regular visits to different areas in the School to ensure a smooth transition process to Junior One.
All key workers in our Nursery are fully qualified Early Years Practitioners, registered with the SSSC and led by an experienced Nursery Leadership Team, including a Nursery Deputy and qualified Early Years Specialist Teacher.
Our key workers and teachers will be your primary point of contact and always available to update you on progress.
Whether the children are expressing their creativity through painting, woodwork, junk modelling and construction or exploring their imagination through music-making, storytelling and role play, learning is designed to inspire and educate your child through fun and adventurous play.
- Messy Play - Children love messy play activities including painting, modelling, sensory explorations, sand and water.
- Physical Play - Both indoors and outdoors, children are always able to stay active with free access to the outdoor area whenever they choose. whatever the weather.
- Imaginative Play - Using computers, interactive smart boards, reading and writing, the children are able to stretch their creativity, imagination and logical thinking.
- Role Play - For each topic we cover, the children devise their own role play corner to explore the topic using their imagination and creativity.
- Forest Kindergarten - With a huge outdoor play area, access to all-weather pitches, playing fields and wild gardens our Nursery pupils enjoy extensive daily outdoor learning, come rain or shine. They also have a weekly Forest Kindergarten experience, allowing children to play freely in nearby woodland. As well as increased physical activity, it’s a great place for children to witness nature first hand and discover more independence problem solving and creativity through real-life experiences. Children take part in a range of activities, including exploring for bugs, tracking animals, building dens, arts and crafts and learning about the dangers and risks to look out for.
Throughout their time in the Nursery, pupils enjoy lessons in the Junior School gym, attend concerts and performances in the Junior School and enjoy lunch in the School dining hall.
They also join Junior School pupils in assemblies in the Gilchrist Theatre, visit classrooms and meet up with the Junior 5 pupils who will be their buddies when they move to Junior One.
Aged 4 or 5, children from N2 spread their wings and move up to Junior School, starting their primary school education journey in J1. They will move towards a more structured learning environment, but play based experiences are still at the heart of their learning day.
Children learn when they have a base in knowledge. If teachers make sure children have the opportunity for a wide variety of experiences to build upon, there’s much more they can learn. The more they learn, the more it triggers the reward system in their brains.
We’ve worked hard to create an environment which allows for different experiences every single day, where children can work together with their peers rather than always being directed by a teacher. A place where they can question and challenge - not just accept things as they are.
