Find out about our amazing Early Years

At Gladstone we have amazing EYFS provision. Please have a look at our short videos below and then read all about our setting with a special message from the Headteacher.

At Gladstone our EYFS is very much part of the whole school family, an Early Years Foundation Stage ‘unit’ with one Nursery and two Reception classes. Our EYFS ‘team’ provide a happy, caring atmosphere where our children are safe and happy and a learning environment where children develop confidence, independence, self-esteem and a love of learning.

Our purpose-built EYFS area is part of our state of the arts school building and is a bright and exciting, stimulating environment. We offer an innovative and exciting curriculum with large outdoor spaces being used to develop pupils’ skills across the curriculum. We have an Environmental Area, outdoor classroom, mud kitchen, climbing equipment, allotment and a sand pit. The children also have opportunities to use our spectacular grounds with activities including Forest Schools, baking, gardening, painting, role play, crafts, story telling and music making. The children also make good use of our stand alone computers, laptops, iPads and touch screens.

The EYFS curriculum is broad and balanced, covering all areas of learning for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Life in the EYFS is all certainly lots of fun with staff creating exciting opportunities for children to develop their five senses and engage their natural curiosity.

Our dedicated and experienced staff act as ‘Key Workers’ and are well qualified. They provide well planned, innovative and exciting activities centred around the children’s interests and specific needs to move children’s learning forward. Two qualified teachers work in Reception and Nursery, with all the children and oversee planning and assessment. We also have a qualified ancillary to interact with the children and give extra support.

All of the children in our Nursery will have a hot two course school dinner. (£2.60 per day). This is an important part of the daily routine which encourages good eating habits, good manners and introduces them to a wide and varied diet. Our Academy Cook will be only too happy to discuss any special dietary needs. The children are also provided with milk and fruit as a snack during the day. Reception children have the choice of bringing in their own packed lunch or having a hot meal. All Reception children have access to universal free meals.

For Nursery children, Governors are pleased to be able to offer FREE full time places (conditions may apply). For parents eligible for extended provision through the childcare voucher scheme, the expectation is that they will provide the academy with the voucher reference so a claim for the additional funding can be made.  Where parents choose not to do this, then the academy reserves the right to charge for the extended provision on a termly basis up to the value of the said voucher. 

In Nursery all meals provided by the academy will be charged at a rate of £2.60 per day. For more details please contact Mrs Stokes/ Mrs Hadden, our Clerical Assistants on 01782 957267.

As your child starts his / her school life they are starting an exciting journey and we very much hope that we are able to share it with them as a member of what we call our ‘Gladstone Family’.

With my very best wishes,

Claire Annese

Headteacher