Ysgol Y Dderi Nursery and Reception Unit

Children learn more during the first five years than at any other time in their lives.  In the early years we are LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS for all future learning.

At the Nursery and Reception Unit at Ysgol Y Dderi we aim to give a broad and balanced basis for children's learning and development.  The emphasis will be placed on play and active learning which will have a positive effect on the children.

The Foundation Phase

The curriculum for The Foundation Phase has been developed under seven Areas of Learning with Religious Education as an additional statutory requirement.

The seven Areas of Learning are:

• Personal and Social Development, Well-Being and Cultural Diversity
• Language, Literacy and Communication Skills
• Mathematical Development
• Bilingualism
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

The Foundation Phase places great emphasis on developing children's:

• skills and understanding;                           
• personal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual well-being so as to develop the whole child;
• positive attitudes to learning so that they enjoy learning and will want to continue with their education for longer;
• self-esteem and self-confidence to experiment, investigate, learn new things and form new relationships;

• creative and expressive skills and observation to encourage their development as individuals with different ways of responding to experiences; and activities in the outdoors where they can have first hand experience of solving real problems in aspects such as mathematics and science and learn about conservation and sustainability

Pentre Bach Bach 

The children learn through activities based within different learning bays, inside and outside such as 'Sali Mali's House', 'Bili Bom Bom's Garage' or the Woodland Area.  The learning bays have all been based around the characters of Pentre Bach, a well loved television series for children.

     

Admission to the Nursery unit at Ysgol Y Dderi

Children may start at the nursery the term following their third birthday.  Admission forms must be completed and forwarded to Ceredigion Education Department. Please click here to download and print the admissions forms.

Parents have the option of bringing their children on a part time basis - every morning from 9.05am until either 11.30am or 1.00pm, depending on whether or not they would like to stay for lunch.  Lunch is cooked at school and is a balanced two course meal with a vegetarian option. The cook is also able to cater for special dietary needs.

Transfering from Nursery to Reception

 Children transfer naturally from nursery to reception the term following their fourth birthday. 

This means that they will now be in full time education, attending the unit from 9.05am until 3.15pm. 

There is also the option of 'Clwb Mes Bach', our after school club for the children.  

Day to day life at the Unit

Welsh is the main language of the teaching, learning and communication at the nursery and reception unit.  English is used sensitively and sensibly, to enable the children from English speaking homes to settle in their new environment.

Each child is given milk every morning, this is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. 

Lunch is served at school. Please pay Mrs Spate,our dinner-lady, on a Monday or Friday morning.  Free school meals forms are also available.

Every child will receive a personal blue folder.  On Mondays, library books will be given and changed for the purpose of sharing and enjoying books at home.  Occasionally home tasks will be given on a Friday.  The blue files should be brought to school on these days.   

Reception children attend the swimming pool at Lampeter once a fortnight.  For these lessons the children require sensible swim wear (boys should not wear shorts that are too long), hair must be tied back and no jewellery worn.  The child's name should be put on all items of clothing and towels.

School uniform is available from Miss Gwen,one of the teaching assistants in the Foundation Phase or Mrs Helen in Reception.

Having fun

Learning is fun!  Take a look at some of the different activities the children enjoy at the Nursery and Reception Unit at Ysgol Y Dderi.