Whether your child is moving on from our Owlet Class, or joining us from another setting or from home - Duckling Class will provide your child with a safe and enriching purpose built space to continue their learning journey.  Led by a fully qualified teacher, the children will have a carefully planned curriculum that is centred around play based learning that will cover all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.  These are: 

The Three Prime Areas (Fundamental): 

1. Communication and language: Listening, attention, understanding and speaking.
2. Physical Development: This encompasses gross motor skills (movement and co-ordination) and fine motor skills (handing tools) as well as health and self care.
3. Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED): This covers self regulation, managing feelings and behaviour, building self-confidence and forming relationships.

The Four Specific Areas (Refining skills)

These build on the prime areas to provide essential knowledge and skills.

1. Literacy: Comprehension, word reading and writing.
2. Mathematics: Focuses on understanding numbers, numerical patterns, shape, space and measure.
3. Understanding the World: This will support children's understanding of belonging and communities, people, past/present and the natural world.
4. Expressive arts and design: This area encourages creativity, imagination and self expression through art, music role play and dance. 

Current hours for Duckling Class:

If your child has 15 hours of universal funding, your child will either be allocated a morning space (5 mornings of 3 hours) or an afternoon space (5 afternoons of 3 hours).

Morning: 8:40am - 11:40am

Afternoon: 12:30 - 3:30pm 

If you have an eligible code for a 30 hour space (as a working parent) your child may be allocated a 30 hour space.  This is split into two lots of 3 hours a day with an optional lunch club running from 11:40am- 12:30pm at a cost of £8 per day.  You will need to provide your child with a packed lunch. 

Toileting and personal care:

During your first visit to the class, before your child starts, the staff will be asking you about your progress with toilet training - this does need to start at home.  Whilst staff are here to support you, you need to initiate this important life skill at home and we will work with you to support success in the pre-school.   If your child is still in nappies, you will need to provide extra nappies, wipes, cream etc for your child.  These will be for your child's use only. 

A typical day:

Every day brings a new adventure in Duckling class.  The home corner and reading area will remain as constants in our lovely space, but the other activities on offer will change depending on our curriculum and children's interests. 

	8:40/ 12:30	9am 12:45pm	9:10 1pm	9:20 1:20pm	10am 2pm	10:30am 2:30pm	10:40am 2:40pm	11:10 3:00m	11:20am 3:05pm
Monday	Doors open  Welcome!	Registration.  Outline the day. Calendar/ days of the week/ weather etc	Pre phonics games	Exploring time	Snack and story	Group time 1 topic focus	Exploring time	Tidy up time	Group time 2. Makaton. Getting ready to go home/for lunch
Tuesday	Doors open  Welcome	Registration.  Outline the day. Calendar/ days of the week/ weather etc	Pre phonics: Rhyming books	Exploring time	Snack and story	Group time 1 mathematics	Exploring time	tidy up time	Group time 2: singing  Getting ready to go home/lunch
Wednesday	Doors open  Welcome	Registration.  Outline the day. Calendar/ days of the week/ weather etc	Pre phonics: songs and rhymes	Exploring time	Snack and story	Group time 1: Jigsaw	Exploring time	Tidy up time	Group time 2 Story Getting ready to go home/lunch
Thursday	Doors open  Welcome	Registration.  Outline the day. Calendar/ days of the week/ weather etc	Pre phonics: Rhyming oral blending	Exploring time	Snack and story	Group time 1: letters and sounds	Exploring time	Tidy up time	Group time 2 Maths Getting reading to go home/lunch
Friday	Doors open  Welcome	Registration.  Outline the day. Calendar/ days of the week/ weather etc	Pre phonics games	Exploring time	Snack and story	Group time 1: topic	Exploring time	Tidy up time	Group time 2 story - getting ready to go home/lunch

What will my child need to bring?

• Your child will need a waterbottle - please clean and fill this at home ever day with either water or weak squash. (No fruit juice or fizzy drinks).  Staff will refill your child's water bottle with water should they drink the contents during the session.
• Packed lunch (if staying for the paid lunch slot).
• Extra clothes (in case of toilet accidents, or getting wet/muddy whilst playing).  Please make sure that this includes underwear and socks.
• Extra nappies, wipes, cream etc if your child still needs this.
• A warm coat when it is cold - we will go outside in all weathers. 
• Wellies and an all in one waterproof suit to make the most of the mud kitchen and rainy days. 
• If your child is intolerant to dairy, you will need to provide an alternative milk, but not nut based, for your child to have during snack time.  Please make sure that this is clearly named and in date.

What will my child need to wear?

• We ask that your child wears our uniform on their top half - purple school jumper/ cardigan with school logo and a white polo shirt (with/without logo).
• Your choice of leg wear.
• Trainers or closed shoes - no sandals, crocs or heeled shoes.

Fruit snack and milk

The government provides free fruit and milk to every 3-5 year old who attends a fully state-funded primary school.  A range of fruit is delivered with something different offered every day.  Children will be encouraged to try the fruit or vegetables, they will not be forced to eat it.  However, an alternative will not be provided as we do want to encourage children to eat healthily. If your child is lactose intolerant, you will need to provide an alternative milk (not nut based).

When can my child start?

Your child is eligible to start the term after they turn 3 if there are places available.  For example:

• Your child's birthday falls from 1st September - 31st December:  your child would be eligible to start in the SPRING term (January). 
• Your child's birthday falls from 1st January - 31st March: Your child would be eligible to start in the SUMMER term (April).
• Your child's birthday falls from 31st March - 31st August: Your child would be eligible to start in the AUTUMN term.

What happens when my child turns 4?

Some children, depending on their birthday could spend 5 terms in the pre-school class autumn.  Children will remain in the pre-school class until they are eligible to start reception.  However, admittance into the Reception class is NOT automatic and you will need to apply for a place.  Whilst we will remind you through our newsletters, it is your responsibility to apply for a school place for your child.  Reception will not start until September and there is only one admission point for this.To apply for a reception place you will need to do so via Oxfordshire County Council online.  This will be done in the year that your child turns 4.  Applications will open in November and will close in mid January. 

click here to apply for a reception place via Oxfordshire County Council