Craigour Park Primary School
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Our Contact Details
Craigour Park Primary School
Moredun Park Road
Edinburgh
EH17 7HL
School: 0131 664 7594
Website: www.craigourpark.ik.org/
Session Times
Morning Afternoon 08.30 – 11.40 am 12.20 – 15.30 pm
School Staff
Headteacher – Mrs Cameron
Deputy Head Teachers – Mrs Patterson & Mrs McHarg
Early Years Officer - Miss Donoghue
Early Years Practitioners - Miss Chiffers
Mrs Lamb
Miss McLachlan (career Break)
Mrs Hall (temporary cover)
Mrs Martin
Mrs Whitelaw
School Administrator - Mrs Young
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About us
Craigour Park Nursery has been a valued part of the community
since opening in 2003. Our nursery provides active learning
opportunities for 3-5 year olds.
We aim to provide a safe, friendly and stimulating environment
where children feel secure and valued. A place where children
are encouraged to become independent and to use and develop
their skills and knowledge with confidence. We promote an
inclusive and holistic approach to early education and value the
importance of equity.
The Nursery Curriculum
At Craigour Park we take time to get to know all children as
individuals and use a child centred approach to teaching and
learning, building on children’s own interests and ideas.
Our daily observations and assessments of the children at work
help us to plan learning experiences which take account of
children’s individual needs and development.
At Craigour Park nursery, we follow A Curriculum for
Excellence which provides the guidelines for children’s
education in Scotland. It aims to give every child the
opportunity to become a successful learner, confident
individual, responsible citizen and effective contributor. It
states 8 areas of development for all learners aged 3-18 years
Literacy and English Language
Mathematics and Numeracy
Science
Social Studies
Technologies
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Health and Wellbeing
Expressive Arts
Religious and Moral Education
The 7 Principles outlined in A Curriculum for Excellence are:
Challenge and Enjoyment
Breadth
Progression
Depth
Personalisation and Choice
Coherence
Relevance
We ensure through regular planning and evaluation that we
offer all our children the opportunity to experience all 7
principles of the curriculum on a daily basis.
Literacy
Speech and Language play an important part in enabling
children to communicate and further develop their ideas.
Exploring books and stories opens up new horizons in all areas
of learning and children are encouraged to enjoy books through
quality story times each day as well as fully resourced library
corners.
In nursery children will experience an environment rich in
language. They will be encouraged to extend their skills in
listening and talking and develop early reading and writing skills
through a wide variety of play based activities.
All writing is recognised and celebrated from first scribbles to
more representational markings.
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Children will take part in daily singing of nursery rhymes and
action songs to have fun with and gain confidence in speech and
language.
Mathematics
The application of mathematics permeates every area of the
curriculum. The children will develop the areas of Information
Handling, Number, Money, Measurement, Shape and Movement.
Our nursery places great emphasis on active learning and
through meaningful play will have the opportunity to experience
a range of activities e.g. counting games, number rhymes,
sequencing time, days, seasons, recording the weather and
experimenting with sand and water. Problem solving and
learning the importance of shape, position and movement is a
daily occurrence whether it is completing a jigsaw, learning a
computer game, working with construction or dancing/moving in
the gym hall.
Science
In the nursery the children will encounter and learn many
aspects of the sciences as they observe, experiment,
investigate, explore and discover
Living things- people, animals, plants
Properties of Materials- floating/sinking, solids/liquids
Physical World- seasons, weather
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Social Studies
In Craigour Park nursery we celebrate the importance of the
heritage of our families, communities and countries. Through
social studies children will develop their knowledge and
understanding of the world by continuing to learn about other
people and their values past and present.
Technologies
From their earliest year’s children use their natural curiosity
and imagination to solve problems they encounter during play
situations. They quickly develop skills in using tools and
processes e.g. how to successfully build a tower or run a train
along a track. Most of their learning is ‘hands on’. In nursery
children develop their understanding of technology through art
and crafts, design, construction, baking, role-play and
computing. Children also have the opportunity to experience
and use smart boards, iPods, iPads, and cameras and to make
movies.
Health and Wellbeing
A healthy lifestyle supports physical, social and emotional
wellbeing and underpins successful learning. Craigour Park is
one of many Health Promoting Schools in Scotland. In our
nursery children are encouraged to further develop their social
skills through play, modelling others and listening to stories.
The children contribute to the discussion of the provision of
healthy snacks and are always encouraged to help buy and
prepare food.
In the gym hall and outside in the playground the children
experience a range of physical activities.
We also experience the natural environment on outdoor
journeys, learn inside and outside, explore, discuss and
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experience. We encourage children to explore the outdoor
areas in all weathers, we provide waterproof suits and welly
boots to ensure they are safe and dry while outside.
In the nursery setting children, parents and carers and staff
work in partnership with other professionals to help address
sensitive health and personal issues, promoting an atmosphere
of trust, respect and support.
Expressive Arts
The expressive arts are made up of art and design, drama,
dance and music. Young children often express themselves
through creative, inventive and imaginative play whilst having
fun and contributing to the enjoyment of others through their
uninhibited performances. In the nursery role-play highlights
an awareness and understanding of life experiences. The
children are learning to play co-operatively whilst
communicating with others in small/large groups. During this
play initiative, leadership and enterprise are developed.
Religious and Moral Education
Scotland is a nation which reflects a wide range of beliefs,
values and traditions. Religious and moral education enable
children in the nursery to explore and celebrate the world’s
major religious festivals. In our nursery the children are
encouraged to contribute to the writing of their own Golden
Rules and codes of behaviour which are acceptable to all.
Incentives such as praise, stickers and awards all contribute to
the positive ethos of the whole school community and
encourage the children to become successful learners,
confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective
contributors.
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How we meet the needs of the curriculum
by providing a secure, relaxed and caring environment
by respecting and valuing each child as an individual
by working in partnership with parents/carers to achieve
these goals
by child centred planning and providing resources
appropriate to the needs and development of the children
Money
Snack money is £2.00 per week and we collect it once a term
(£20.00 per term). This money not only goes towards snack for
the week but also helps the nursery to buy resources such as
bulbs for planting activities, small toys and baking ingredients.
Welcome – A Day at Craigour Park Nursery
A typical day in the nursery begins with the children being
welcomed into the nursery. They each will have a named coat
peg and shoe box. Please encourage your child to change their
own shoes (in year 2) and hang up their own coat as this
promotes independence skills.
It is important that you sign your child in and out of
the nursery.
If your child is going to be absent from nursery,
please call the school on 0131 664 7594.
If another adult is picking your child up, please let us
know in advance so that we can release your child to
that person.
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Free Play
During free play the children can choose from a number of
contexts, for example;
role play
music
games
jigsaws
We also provide messy play such as;
sand and water trays
gluing
painting
baking
For this reason, we ask you to put your child in old
clothes for nursery. We do provide aprons however
this cannot always save what they are wearing.
We would ask that you collect your child’s artwork
each day as we have limited storage space.
We also ask that your child does not bring any of
their own toys from home to nursery. We cannot be
responsible for the loss or damage to toys which are
brought from home.
Snack The children have the opportunity to choose a healthy snack
each day and have a healthy drink in line with NHS Scotland’s
Setting the Table guidelines.
Please let us know of any allergies your child has
or any special dietary requirements.
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Stories and Rhymes
The children are read to daily which encourages their
communication and language skills. They also take part in
singing times where they are encouraged to sing a wide variety
of nursery rhymes and will be offered the chance to play group
games to help increase their confidence, concentration and
turn-taking skills.
Outdoor Play
The children have the opportunity to play outdoors each day
regardless of weather.
They will experience outdoor journeys and the natural
environment. Please ensure they have suitable outdoor clothing
e.g. a warm coat, sun hat etc depending on the weather.
Clothing
If you would like to leave a change of clothes for your child in
the nursery just bring the clothes in a bag labelled with their
name and leave it on their named peg in the cloakroom.
We also have a selection of children’s clothes to offer the
children if any accidents occur.
Please send your child in clothing that they are
able to play and run around in comfortably.
Please ensure your child’s own clothes are marked
with their name. This helps us to avoid clothing
related disputes!
Learning Journals During your child’s time at nursery they will be focussing on
working towards completing Learning Journals. These are a tool
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we use to engage the children in their own learning by involving
them in setting targets and discussing throughout the year
their achievements. The Learning Journals are used throughout
the school, from nursery to P7, and are useful when working
towards transition from nursery into P1. Our Learning Journals
are accessed online, and you will receive an email with individual
log in details which will allow you to access your own child’s
Learning Journal and comment on their progress at your
leisure.
Open Days
Each term there will be an open morning/afternoon where you
will be invited into nursery to share with your child all the
activities that they enjoy and speak to the nursery team.
We host several themed days in addition to our open days,
including – Burns Supper, Pirate Day, Family Fun Days and End
of term celebrations. Information including times and dates
will be issued in advance of each event.
Medication If your child requires medication, please see a
member of the nursery staff to inform us of the
situation and to fill in our medical form. We will not issue Calpol, this is a parental
responsibility.
Accidents If your child has an accident in the nursery an accident form
will be filled out and you will be shown this when picking up your
child (*A in register).You will be issued with a pink slip
informing you of the details of any accidents/incidents
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involving your child. Nursery will also keep a copy as part of our
records.
Please ensure your mobile and home phone
numbers are current so that we can contact you.
Toothbrushing
As part of a Scotland wide Child Smile programme, the
children are provided with toothbrushes allowing them to brush
their teeth in nursery. We aim to brush our teeth every day in
nursery.
Head Lice – Once a Week, Take a Peek!
Please be vigilant and check your child’s head each week. If
they have head lice, please treat them as quickly as possible to
stop infection of others. There are many effective treatments
you can buy in the chemist over the counter, and Bug-Busting
kits are available to purchase from nursery.
Parent Notice Board
Please ensure you read our notice board as it is a great source
of up to date information. We will also be displaying our
planning and important contact details on the Parents
Information Board. This is situated in the cloakroom.
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We hope your child enjoys their time at our Nursery and we
look forward to working in partnership with you and your
family. Welcome to Craigour Park Nursery School.
Important Nursery Safety
Arrival & Departure
Always sign your child in and out of the
nursery. If you are dropping off or picking
up another child, you must do the same.
You must let us know in advance if someone else other than yourself will be picking your
child up from nursery or we cannot let them
go for safety reasons.
Please ensure we have your current mobile
phone and home phone numbers so that we can
always contact you.
Security
Do not allow the children to open the nursery doors – adults only to press the green button
Please shut the nursery door and nursery
playground gate behind you. Do not leave them
propped open. No dogs are permitted on school
grounds.
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Safe Outdoor Play
Your child must wear appropriate footwear for running, jumping and climbing activities –
Not sandals or backless shoes. Please provide
named gym shoes (morning session only).
Sun Safety
Your child must have their shoulders covered on hot days and a hat is advisable to stop
your child from getting sun burn, or they
cannot go outside.
What To Do If You Are Unhappy
This section is taken from the City of Edinburgh School Handbook. To view the full version please visit –
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
Making a complaint If you have a complaint about your child’s school, you should contact the Guidance Teacher, Year Head or Principal Teacher in the first instance. If you remain dissatisfied, you must give the Head Teacher/Manager the opportunity to deal with your complaint. Only after the Head Teacher/Manager has had an opportunity to address your concerns and you remain dissatisfied, then you can contact the Children and Families Department’s Advice and Conciliation Service. This service provides a helpline during office hours and can advise you how to take further action. When necessary, you can then put your complaint in writing to the Advice and Conciliation Service Manager, The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, Level 1/2, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG. The Advice and Conciliation Service will investigate your complaint and try to help resolve it as quickly as possible. After you have gone through our complaints procedure, if you still feel that your complaint has not been properly dealt with, you can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, 4 Melville Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NS or call 0800 377 7330.
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Or contact Care Inspectorate – 0845 600 9527
www.careinspectorate.com
Contact addresses and useful telephone numbers Children and Families Department The City of Edinburgh Council Waverley Court 4 East Market Street Edinburgh EH8 8BG Tel: 0131 200 2000 Phone numbers for individual schools can be found in the BT Phone Book. You may find the following phone numbers useful: Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA): Tel: 0131 469 6121 Free school meals and clothing vouchers: Tel: 0131 469 3471 Home Education (general enquiries): Tel: 0131 469 3038 Placing in schools, S1 (primary to secondary transfer): Tel: 0131 469 3032 School transport: Tel: 0131 657 0000/0008/0021 Appeals about a transport decision Tel: 0131 469 3052 Advice and Conciliation (Education) Helpline: Tel: 0131 469 3233 Parent and Pupil Support Manager – Additional Support for Learning: Tel: 0131 469 3444 Parental involvement: Tel: 0131 469 3131/ 3406 Psychological Services: Tel: 0131 469 2800