The Giles Infants' School enjoys a splendid purpose-built nursery. There are places for 63 children, divided between morning and afternoon sessions.

Morning Sessions: Starts at 8:30am and ends at 11:30am
Afternoon Sessions: Starts at 12:30pm and ends at 3:30pm

Always try to fetch your child promptly as small children can become very distressed if their parents are late.

Admission Procedures

A child's name may be entered onto the waiting list from the age of two. The school can then keep you informed about any changes that the local authority may make to their admission procedures. At present the procedures are as follows:

• You will be sent an application form by Hertfordshire Education Authority (LEA) the year before your child is due to start nursery.
• You can list up to three schools.
• The school you want your child to attend the most should be listed first.
• The LEA will then offer you a place in, hopefully, the nursery of your choice.

If there are more applications than places the LEA will then apply a series of admission rules. These rules have varied during the last few years but current rules will be sent to you with your application form.

The whole procedure will be repeated in the following autumn when the LEA will invite you to apply for your child's Reception place.

Settling In

We very much hope that parents will help their children to settle comfortably into their new environment. For some children the transition from home to school is easy, while for others, separation from parents is difficult.

It is important that there should be a relaxed and unhurried introduction to new experiences provided by the school. The first phase should be shared with your children in the nursery and will ensure confidence and security.

After this initial period some parents still enjoy continuing to take part in the day-to-day life of the nursery. Parents help is most welcome throughout the year.

Nursery Curriculum

The nursery offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities designed to promote the cognitive, physical, emotional and social growth of its children. Children can enjoy experimenting with sand, water, paint, clay, glue, wood and many other basic materials.

They enjoy looking at books, listening to stories and learning songs and rhymes. They can play in the band, dress up in the role play area, play with a variety of toys and games and engage in food technology.

The nursery allows them to make decisions, to take turns with each other, to share the attention of the adults and to establish relationships with one another.

By the end of their time in the nursery, the children should be more confident capable and ready for the more formal learning of the Infants' School.