early years

In 2010 our Early Years provision was inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The inspector confirmed what we know already; "children are happy, motivated and high adult to child ratios enable children to have good individual attention." (ISI Inspection Report 2010)

Nursery

Girls learn in a happy, vibrant environment and the staff:pupil ratio of 1:7 is never exceeded. Parents may choose for their daughters to start their nursery education at Halstead in the term they are three. The younger girls start off as “Chicks” and progress to being “Ducklings” at the appropriate time for each individual girl. Presently, ten sessions are offered each week: five mornings from 8.20 am to 11.50 am and five afternoons from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm. Girls must attend a minimum of any three sessions but may stay for all ten sessions. We provide a hot lunch for those girls staying all day cooked in our school kitchen. "School meals are nutritious and popular and catering is of a very high standard" confirmed the ISI Inspection. Out of hours care is available in the Nursery from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm.

Kindergarten (Reception)

Girls enter kindergarten in the academic year in which they become 5 years old. To ensure a smooth transition from their Nursery experience to Kindergarten, girls are invited to spend time in their new classroom both on new children's afternoon and on a further taster day(s). In the first half of the autumn term the girls are able to go home on Wednesday afternoon in order to feel refreshed and ready for two more days of school. The school day begins at 8.20 am and collection is at 3.30 pm except on Fridays when school ends at 2.50 pm.  The girls continue to learn through a play based curriculum in an exciting and visually stimulating environment following the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance in our indoor and outdoor classroom. Specialist teachers take the girls for PE, gymnastics and music.
 
In the 2010 inspection the Independent Schools Inspectorate described our setting as demonstrating "highly effective practice (which) consistently provides children with activities that inter-link and promote independence at all times. A range of high quality teaching methods are employed which leads to a purposeful balance of adult led and child initiated active, independent learning. Children actively support, respect and help each other". (ISI Inspection Report 2010)