Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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COVID Winter Grants
Wed 16 Dec 2020If you are a family on a low income you could get food vouchers for your children over the Christmas period.
The money to pay for these vouchers has come from the government through its COVID-19 winter grant scheme which is over and above the other support schemes already provided by Derbyshire County Council.
The family of every child who gets free school meals in Derbyshire schools because of low income can get a £30 food voucher for the Christmas holidays. You will get another voucher in February if you are still eligible, the amount will depend on the number of children who qualify at that time. Some other families are also eligible based on financial hardship.
You will receive vouchers if you meet one of the following criteria:
• Have a child aged 3 to 18 in a Derbyshire school (nursery to year 13), eligible for free school meals because of low household income.
• Have a child aged 3 or 4 not in a Derbyshire school nursery that receives free childcare and qualifies for 'pupil premium' based on low income (this is sometimes called 'economic funding').
• Have a child aged 2 that is eligible for free 2-year-old childcare because of low household income.
You do not need to do anything if your child already meets these criteria (see our website for full terms and conditions). We will contact you and you should receive a payment by email or text message that should arrive by 21 December 2020.
If you have children and you do not currently claim free school meals or meanstested free childcare you may still be eligible.
For full details of the scheme or to see what help and support is available, please visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/winter
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Letter to Parents & Carers December 2020
Wed 16 Dec 202016 December 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a busy and exciting term we have had at Ripley Nursery School and Ripley Nursery School Childcare.
Our children, staff and parents have been amazing in working together and, despite the disruption due to the enforced periods of isolation, the children have all settled well in school and childcare, developed new and exisiting friendships and have displayed high levels of engagement and persistence in their learning.
We pride ourselves on giving our young children access to learn in both indoor and outdoor rich learning environments and this gives our young children multiple opportunities to thrive, to develop resilience, to learn new skills, tackle challenges and problem-solve in practical and co-operative ways.
Next term I will be away from school for health reasons and in my absence Donna Brown will take on the role of Acting Head. We have a strong leadership team and governing board here at Ripley Nursery School and Childcare who will be supported in turn by our dedicated Derbyshire Education Advisors.
Your points of contact will continue to be your class keyworkers, Kerry Hartwell, School Business Manager, Annabel Martin and finally Donna Brown, Acting Headteacher.
Please be extra mindful and cautious at this time; we are asking you to monitor your child’s or your own health carefully and consider whether you need to take additional precautions if anyone within your bubble has any symptom from change or loss of smell through to cold type symptoms. Currently the administration staff are working remotely; if you have any concerns or queries, including those relating to symptoms please email kerry.hartwell@ripley-nur.derbyshire.sch.uk as we may be unable to answer the telephone promptly.
I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas period – it may not be a regular Christmas holiday however it is a time to enjoy and relax with our close family. If we all follow guidance and keep safe we have the wonderful promise of happier and busier times ahead.
Kind regards,
Cathy Bednal
Head of Ripley Nursery School & Ripley Nursery School Childcare
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Information for new starters - January 2021
Tue 01 Dec 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Ripley Nursery School
We look forward to meeting all our new children and parents at our garden visit day on Monday 14th December 2020. To ensure the safety of our school community only new parents and pupils will be onsite with staff on this day. We understand that this is a difficult time to be starting a school placement and I would like to share with you the measures we have taken to keep staff, families and children safe.
At Ripley Nursery School we have worked throughout the pandemic balancing the stringent government guidance with the well-being and educational needs of our younger learners.
All staff and children work within ‘bubbles’ as we understood that small children cannot socially distance and may need comfort and support from their keyworker during the school day.
We understand that the best way to keep safe is for staff and families to work together with clear routines and rules and to keep clear lines of communication open and well used.
Health & Safety measures in response to covid 19
Within school we have adapted our environment to allow for more frequent cleaning and have restricted the numbers of children and staff in contact with each other by dividing the school learning spaces, including the outside areas, into two distinct bubbles. We also support children to practise good hand hygiene throughout the school day.
To ensure a safe and smooth entry and exit into school we have staggered start and finish times and increased the number of entrances. All parents must wear a mask at drop off and pick up times. We understand that all local schools have taken the same approach to support social distancing, if you are struggling with the allotted timings please speak to myself, Kerry Hartwell or your keyworker and we will do our best to accommodate changes. We ask families to arrive on time, to keep a social distance of 2 m apart from other families and to leave the school site promptly following the clearly marked out routes.
Full day /morning drop off
Morning pick up
Afternoon drop off
Full day /afternoon Pick up
Where
Hedgehogs
8.30
11.15
12.30
3.15
Pram store door
Owls
8.45
11.30
12.45
3.30
Reception
Squirrels
8.30
11.30
12.30
3.15
Garden gate
Rabbits
8.45
11.30
12.30
3.30
Garden gate
Breakfast club starts
Afterschool club finishes
Main Reception
7.45am
4.30pm
Most importantly we ask you not to bring children to school who are ill or displaying any symptoms of covid 19. If anyone in your family has any symptoms of covid 19 apply then for a test and do not bring your child to school unless you have a negative result.
If your child falls ill at school we will care for them, alert you to collect them and take their temperature. All children and adults have access to prompt testing and we will ask you to apply for and administer a test on behalf of your child if they display symptoms of covid 19.
We ask you to sign a home school agreement to signify you understand and agree with all the guidance and rules we have put in place.
If you have another child/children who is/are isolating please do not bring them to school with you when dropping off or picking up. I understand that this is may be a difficult situation however our priority is to keep our school community safe and free from covid 19.
With all these measures in place we cannot guarantee that we will not have to close if any child or staff member tests positive for cornonavirus. We will contact Public Health England/Department of Education if anyone reports a positive test, follow their guidance and notify parents swiftly.
Starting Ripley Nursery School
We operate a gradual transition into school for any new starters in order to promote the well being of all children. We appreciate that joining school is a huge step for children and their families and this year we have had to employ a different approach as we cannot invite parents into school. Therefore all new parents and children, who have not visited school, will have a garden visit with their keyworker and an opportunity to find out about Ripley Nursery School. All families should now have a start date and a garden visit. Please ensure you wear your mask during the garden visit.
School Information
School website – please go to www.ripley-nur.derbyshire.sch.uk for more information about our school including our ethos, policies and further contact information. Additionally, we ask our parents to sign up for the school app, this is linked to the website and provides regular updates about events in school and important reminders. We will send you a link to download the app once your admission form is processed.
If your child is absent from school please telephone school by 9.15am /1.15pm and speak to Annabel Martin or Kerry Hartwell as we have a duty to record all absences. We ask you to attend school promptly to ensure the safety of all children and families and to ensure children receive full access to all the learning experiences available to them at Ripley Nursery School.
If your child has any medical requirements, including dietary, please notify your keyworkers or Kerry Hartwell prior to your child starting school.
On your garden visit you will be given a letter regarding parent pay. The letter will give you a username and password for your personal log in to parent pay. Please ensure you log into the system as this will enable you to pay for your parental contribution, lunches and any additional sessions or payments. The parental contribution is applicable to every child and is charged at £1.50 per week. This covers healthy snacks and drinks, baking ingredients and other provisions.
Check out your classroom and teachers
Staff in your child’s class have made class videos to introduce themselves and show you what will be on offer for your child – you can find these on the school website under the Children’s tab, please use these videos to help support your child before they start school.
Staff from your child’s class, their keyworkers, will be on the door to encourage your child into school. Our staff are kind and caring and will work with you to support your child joining school. Your child can bring in a transitional object, for example their school mouse (we provide these on your garden visit), which will stay in their school bag. Please provide children with a spare change of clothes and a pair of slippers, labelled with their name, in a plastic bag or a fabric drawstring bag which can stay in school.
We provide wet weather gear to allow children to work outside whatever the weather however we often get wet socks from splashing in puddles - so please put extra socks and pants in their school bag too.
Our uniform suppliers are loopwear which are based in Ilkeston. They also have an online shop from which you can order uniform. Please follow the link below.
https://loopwear.co.uk/find-your-school/ripleynurseryschool-loopwear
We look forward to working with you and your child over the next academic year. We send information out through our school app to your mobile phone so please keep us informed of any changes to your personal details. You can also find a wealth of information about Ripley Nursery School on our website, including details about our sister organisation – Ripley Nursery School Childcare.
Your keyworkers from your child’s class will share your child’s progress and achievement through online learning journals and more information will be coming out to you in the near future.
Kind regards,
C.L. Bednal
Cathy Bednal and all the staff of Ripley Nursery School
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New Books!
Fri 23 Oct 2020
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Pumpkin Winner
Tue 20 Oct 2020
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Bags 2 Schools
Thu 08 Oct 2020We are pleased to announce that Ripley Nursery School has organised a clothes & shoe collection with Bag2School in order to raise funds to enhance our outdoor areas.
Bag2School is the UK’s leading textile recycler and fundraiser working with schools and since its inception in 2001 it has now paid out over £36 million.
As well as raising vitally needed funds for Ripley Nursery School it also helps the environment by helping to divert unwanted textiles away from landfill. A recent DEFRA report has shown that textile collection schemes are helping to reduce the volume of textiles discarded as municipal solid waste. However it is a fact that as a nation we still send 350,000 tonnes of textiles to landfill every year.
By getting involved in our Bag2School collection, you have an opportunity to sort through your cupboards and wardrobes and donate unwanted textiles in the bag provided – this can include adults’ and children’s clothes, shoes (tied together please), hats, belts, handbags and soft toys, (please refer to http://uk.bag2school.com/ for full details). In addition to raising much needed funds it will also raise awareness amongst the children of the benefits of recycling and reuse.
You can use any bag to donate your items and don’t forget to ask grandparents, friends and neighbours to have a sort out as well!
Bag2School will be collecting from Ripley Nursery School on Tuesday 24th November at 9am. Please bring your bag (or bags!) to the main office either any time on Monday 23rd November or Tuesday 24th November before 9am and help us have a really good collection.
Many thanks indeed for helping us with this unique fundraising opportunity.
Yours faithfully
Ripley Nursery School
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Allotment News
Fri 02 Oct 2020Today we went to harvest the pumpkins from our allotment. They have been growing for nearly seven months!!
Mr. Flude, who helps to look after our allotment, reminded us to pick the pumpkins before the weather gets too cold – a quick frost would damage our crop.
We were amazed to find;
one enormous pumpkin,
one large pumpkin,
one knobbly pumpkin and
three small pumpkins.
We needed help to pick up the biggest pumpkins.
We picked some lovely green and red apples from our apple tree, put all our produce in the wheel barrow and wheeled it back to school.
Our friends at school were very excited to see our wheel barrow full of pumpkins and apples.
We are thinking about what we can do with our pumpkins next week, any ideas?
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Pumpkin Raffle
Tue 29 Sep 2020Pumpkin Raffle!
Get Halloween ready!
We are raffling off one of our HUGE Nursery grown pumpkins from our allotment this year to raise money to improve our outdoor learning space.
A 50p ticket charge will be added to your parent pay account; if you wish to buy a ticket please pay using the option on parent pay and your name will be added to the draw.
The raffle will be drawn on Friday 16th October and the lucky winner will be able to collect the pumpkin from Nursery.
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Autumn 2020 - Letter to Parents
Wed 02 Sep 2020Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Ripley Nursery School
We are currently due to reopen school on Thursday 3rd September, following the summer holidays. We understand that for some families returning to school this may be a worrying time. As a school we worked throughout the past academic year, including the spring and summer terms with clear guidelines to keep all staff and children safe.
We have planned for staff and children to continue to work within ‘bubbles’ as we understood that small children cannot socially distance and may need comfort and support from their keyworker during the school day.
We understand that the best way to keep safe is for staff and families to work together with clear routines and rules and to keep clear lines of communication open and well used.
Health & Safety measures in response to covid 19
Within school we have adapted our environment to allow for more frequent cleaning and have restricted the numbers of children and staff in contact with each other by dividing the school learning spaces, including the outside areas, into two distinct bubbles. We also support children to practise good hand hygiene throughout the school day.
To ensure a safe and smooth entry and exit into school we have staggered start/finish times and increased number of entrances. We understand that all local schools have taken the same approach to support social distancing, if you are struggling with the allotted timings please speak to myself; Kerry Hartwell or your keyworker and we will do our best to accommodate changes. We ask families to arrive on time, to keep a social distance of 2 m apart from other families and to leave the school site promptly following the clearly marked out routes.
Full day /morning drop off
Morning pick up
Afternoon drop off
Full day /afternoon Pick up
Where
Hedgehogs
8.30
11.15
12.30
3.15
Pram store door
Owls
8.45
11.30
12.45
3.30
Reception
Squirrels
8.30
11.15
12.30
3.15
Garden gate
Rabbits
8.45
11.30
12.45
3.30
Garden gate
Breakfast club starts
Afterschool club finishes
Garden gate
7.45
4.30
Most importantly we ask you not to bring children to school who are ill or displaying any symptoms of covid 19. If anyone in your family has any symptoms of covid 19 apply then for a test and do not bring your child to school unless you have a negative result.
If your child falls ill at school we will care for them, alert you to collect them and take their temperature. All children and adults have access to prompt testing and we will ask you to apply for and administer a test on behalf of your child if they display symptoms of covid 19.
We ask you to sign a home school agreement to signify you understand and agree with all the guidance and rules we have put in place.
Starting school
We have a range of cohorts attending Ripley Nursery School during Autumn 2020. The children already registered with an established school place, for example those children and parents who already know our school and their keyworkers will return to school on Thursday 3rd September (or the next day of their school placement).
We operate a gradual transition into school for any new starters in order to promote the wellbeing of all children. We appreciate that joining school is a huge step for children and their families and this year we have had to employ a different approach as we cannot invite parents into school. Therefore, all new parents and children, who have not visited school, will have a garden visit with their keyworker and an opportunity to find out about Ripley Nursery School. All families should now have a start date and a garden visit, where appropriate.
Staff in your child’s class are currently busy setting up the new exciting learning spaces and will be posting class videos to introduce themselves and show you what will be on offer for your child – please use these videos to help support your child before they start school.
Staff from your child’s class, their keyworkers, will be on the door to encourage children into school. Our staff are kind and caring and will work with you to support your child joining school. Your child can bring in a transitional object, for example their school mouse or other special toy, which will stay in their school bag. Please provide children with a spare change of clothes and a pair of slippers, labelled with their name, in a plastic bag or a fabric drawstring bag, which can stay in school.
We provide wet weather gear to allow children to work outside whatever the weather however, we often get wet socks from splashing in puddles - so please put extra socks and pants in their school bag too.
School Information
If your child is absent from school please telephone school by 9.15am /1.15pm and speak to Annabel Martin or Kerry Hartwell as we have a duty to record all absences. We ask you to attend school promptly to ensure the safety of all children and families and to ensure children receive full access to all the learning experiences available to them at Ripley Nursery School.
If your child has any medical requirements, including dietary, please notify your keyworkers or Kerry Hartwell prior to your child starting school.
You will have been sent a text message from ‘The School App’ which you will need to download to enable you to receive school messages and information including dates for your diary and school newsletters. If you have any problem or have not receive this message, please contact the school office.
On your garden visit you will be given a letter regarding parent pay. The letter will give you a username and password for your personal log in to parent pay. Please ensure you log into the system as this will enable you to pay for your parental contribution, lunches and any additional sessions or payments. The parental contribution is applicable to every child and is charged at £1.50 per week. This covers healthy snacks and drinks, baking ingredients and other provisions.
We look forward to working with you and your child over the next academic year. We send information out through our school app to your mobile phone so please keep us informed of any changes to your personal details. You can also find a wealth of information about Ripley Nursery School on our website, including details about our sister organisation – Ripley Nursery School Childcare.
Your keyworkers from your child’s class will share your child’s progress and achievement through online learning journals and more information will be coming out to you in the near future.
Kind regards,
C.L. Bednal
Cathy Bednal and all the staff of Ripley Nursery School
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Information for Parents - September 2020
Tue 14 Jul 2020Dear Parent and Carers,
We are busy planning to welcome all our families in school in September; old friends as well as new friends who have yet to meet us and visit our school.
In line with all the government guidance and the risk assessments provided by Derbyshire County Council we have made a few changes to the organisation of our school, detailed below;
Class Bubbles
We have taken the decision to divide the school into two halves; Rabbits and Squirrels will work together in one bubble and Owls and Hedgehogs will form another bubble. This reorganisation will allow your children more access to both indoor and outdoor learning spaces whilst reducing contact of children and staff across the whole school. Staff will remain in one of these two bubbles only, this will include meal supervisors and any SEND support staff.
To ensure a safe and smooth entry and exit into school we have staggered start/finish times and increased the number of entrances;
Full day /morning drop off
Morning pick up
Afternoon drop off
Full day /afternoon Pick up
Where
Hedgehogs
8.30
11.15
12.30
3.15
Pram store door
Owls
8.45
11.30
12.30
3.30
Reception
Squirrels
8.30
11.15
12.30
3.15
Garden gate
Rabbits
8.45
11.30
12.30
3.30
Garden gate
Breakfast club starts
After school club finishes
Garden gate
7.45
4.30
We are asking all parents/carers to revisit and keep to these simple rules on drop off and collection:
1. Please be prompt and keep to your allocated times to arrive and pick up your child/children.
2. Ensure children have been to the toilet before they leave home.
3. Only one parent to accompany and pick up (where possible).
4. Keep yourself and your child 2 metres away from your neighbour as you queue.
5. Take any bikes or buggy’s home with you.
6. Please leave the site promptly as there will be other parents waiting to safely drop off or pick up.
7. After school please bathe your child and change their clothes. Children will need to arrive at school in a fresh set of clothes each day.
8. We cannot accept bags into the setting but can store plastic or drawstring bags containing belongings on trolleys outside each base.
Transition into school
To support an effective transition during this time of social distancing we have adapted our usual practice:
Easter starters
Class visits; although all children and parents will have visited our school in Spring we have had to make changes to our learning spaces so check out the videos of your classes on our website under the Children, Class Pages tab. Click on the class to view the video.
We will update our learning spaces during our staff training day in September and update the videos posts.
Mouse Club; on Tuesday 14th July I will be joining you for a quick door step visit to catch up and say ‘Hello’ and drop off Mouse and an information pack. We offer each new child a cuddy mouse to use as a transitional object to travel between home and school. Within the pack there are some activities for mouse and your child to try out with your help.
A quick and easy way to make an outfit for Mouse is to find an odd sock and ask your mum or dad to help you cut out holes for the head and arms to fit through. You can even trim the top of the sock and use the excess to make a headband.
Autumn starters
Class visits; currently parents cannot come into school however we are planning after school visits to our nursery garden in September to meet you and your child face to face. We will complete an ‘All about me’ to find out what your child likes doing, what they may need help with and how we can work together. We will have a little cuddly toy Mouse waiting for each of you to help the transition in to school.
We will still need to practise socially distancing with you, on entry you will need to use the hand sanitiser, and of course you can only attend if you and your child are well.
Additionally check out the class videos on our website under the Children, Class Pages tab for a little flavour of the fun activities waiting for you at Ripley Nursery School.
Communication
The school app runs through our website and is a quick and easy way of sending information directly to your mobile telephone; we will send you a link to download the app once your admission form is processed. If you change any contact numbers or emails please inform the school ASAP, we would hate you to miss out on all our school events and updates.
Practicalities
To keep our floorspace clean and hygienic no outdoor shoes are allowed in school. We use wellington boots for outdoor play and have a selection of fleeces and waterproof outfits for playing outside during all seasons. If you have spare children’s wellington boots to donate to school these will be gratefully received. Please bring a pair of slippers which will stay at the nursery and a plastic or a cloth drawstring bag containing a change of clothes, named suncream and nappy/changing creams if required.
What happens if a child or member of staff is ill?
You must not come to school if you, your child or anyone in your household presents with Covid -19 symptoms; cough, temperature, loss or taste/smell (Anosmia) or are feeling generally unwell.
If anyone becomes ill with symptoms of the virus and tests positive for Covid-19 in the setting then the whole class bubble of children, including the teaching staff will have to self-isolate for 14 days. Staff, children and their families will have access to Covid-19 testing if they present with symptoms. You must call 111 to request a testing kit for young children.
Hopefully this information is helpful in supporting your return to school or in embarking on your journey with us. If there is any other information you need from us or that you need to share with us to support you and your child please contact Kerry Hartwell on the school number or through her email address.
Finally, we wish you all a sunny and relaxing summer holiday and look forward to seeing you all in September.
Kind regards,
C.L. Bednal
Cathy Bednal and all the staff of Ripley Nursery School
