We are delighted to confirm that St Joseph’s can now provide education for children aged 3 and above.
We are extremely proud of our facilities, beautiful school grounds and our very experienced staff team.
Please see the information below regarding the Nursery, to help you make an informed choice about your child’s education.
If you would like to come and visit St Joseph’s, we would be delighted to show you our wonderful school and nursery. Please telephone the School Office on 01629 583616 to arrange an appointment, or use the contact form on the right-hand side.
When can your child start nursery?
All children will be eligible to apply for a place at Nursery to start the term after they are three years old.
The universal funding can be taken as 15 hours per week across the 38 weeks of the school year. (Please see the Nursery Fees tab below for more information on funding).
| A child born on or between: | Will become eligible from: |
| 1 January – 31 March | Start of the Summer Term (after Easter Holidays) |
| 1 April – 31 August | Start of the Autumn Term (September) |
| 1 September – 31 December | Start of the Spring Term (January) |
Curriculum
The best way for children to learn is through child led play and exploration.
At St Joseph’s Nursery we provide a broad, nurturing curriculum which supports individual children to build the foundations for learning.
Our experienced, dedicated Early Years team is led by a qualified EYFS teacher, Miss Montgomery, who oversees the provision for all nursery pupils.
Alongside Miss Montgomery there is a dedicated team of EYFS staff. This team of staff is consistent throughout the week with very little changes. This allows staff members to get to know individual children very quickly.
Children learn how to become storytellers through our Writing curriculum and we provide early phonics teaching through the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds programme. Children are given daily opportunities to develop their early number skills. We encourage children to express themselves creatively and carefully support them in developing their emotional regulation.
We boast vast, picturesque grounds which allow us to deliver most of our curriculum outdoors. Our EYFS teacher is Forest Schools trained and we aim to take children outdoors every day, whatever the weather. Children develop an excellent understanding of the natural world around them through experiencing the beautiful seasonal changes throughout the school grounds. We provide activities such as den building, cooking on the fire pit and growing our own fruit and vegetables. We aren’t afraid to get muddy!
Nursery Fees
We offer the following sessions during term time
| Session | Times | Cost (Funded) | Cost (Un-funded) |
| Morning | 8.45am - 11.45am | £0 | £12.50 |
| Long Morning | 8.45am - 12.15pm | £2.50 (bringing own packed lunch) £5.35 (including school dinner) | £15.00 (bringing own packed lunch) £17.85 (including school dinner) |
| Full Day | 8.45am - 3.15pm | £2.50 (bringing own packed lunch) £5.35 (including school dinner) | £27.50 (bringing own packed lunch) £30.35 (including school dinner) |
How do I claim a funded place at nursery?
All children are entitled to a funded place for 15 hours per week from the term following their third birthday. You do not need to apply for this. In addition, you may be entitled to an extra 15 hours per week. You should visit the website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for further details and to access the application for a 30 hour funded place. You will need to re-apply for your 30 hour code every three months.
In order for us to claim your funded place, the relevant forms for you to complete will be provided and should be returned to the School Office as soon as possible.
How will I pay / be invoiced?
All payments must be made at least one half term in advance of attendance, please see the payment schedule below. All parents will be provided with an invoice each half term showing the fees owing, less any funded sessions and including lunch costs.
All payments should be made using ParentPay, our online payment system.
Payments for Term 1 (September to October half term) – must be made in July
Payments for Term 2 (End of October half term to Christmas) – must be made in October
Payments for Term 3 (January to February half term) – must be made in December
Payments for Term 4 (February half term to Easter) – must be made in February
Payments for Term 5 (Easter to May half term) – must be made in April/March
Payments for Term 6 (May half term to Summer) – must be made in May
Where do I bring my child in the morning?
You should bring your child to the rear entrance of school, and you will be greeted at the gate by a member of the EYFS Team. You will also collect your child from the rear entrance at the end of their session.
Wraparound Care
Wraparound care is also available for before and after school hours.
The charges for Wraparound Care are;
- Before School Club – 7.45am to 8.45am – £3.50 (children will be taken to Nursery for 8.45am)
- After School Club – 3.10pm to 4.30pm – £3.50 until 4.30pm, or £5.00 until 5.00pm (staff will collect children from Nursery at 3.10pm)
Funded hours can be used towards the cost of Wraparound Care.
All nursery children will be eligible to attend our Before and After School Clubs.
Our Wraparound Care team are;
- Mrs Willison
- Mrs Griffiths
- Mrs Kirk
If you require your child to attend Wraparound Care please contact the School Office. All places must be booked in advance.
Nursery Opening Times
The nursery will be open in line with the rest of the school. The term dates for this academic year are as follow;
| Term | First Day of Term | Last Day of Term |
| 1 | Monday 6th September 2021 | Friday 22nd October 2021 |
| 2 | Monday 1st November 2021 | Wednesday 22nd December 2021 |
| 3 | Monday 10th January 2021 | Friday 18th February 2022 |
| 4 | Monday 28th February 2022 | Friday 8th April 2022 |
| 5 | Monday 25th April 2022 | Friday 27th May 2022 |
| 6 | Monday 6th June 2022 | Friday 22nd July 2022 |
Plus bank holiday Monday 2nd May
Inset Days – School Closed to Pupils
Thursday 2nd September
Friday 3rd September
Friday 3rd December
Monday 28th February
Friday 8th April
Friday 1st July
Lunch and Snacks
Snacks
All Nursery children will be offered FREE fruit and milk every day.
Children are given the opportunity to prepare their own snack and gain an understanding of having a balanced diet and food hygiene. We provide balanced, healthy meals at lunch time.
Lunch
If your child stays for lunch, they will eat in the school dining hall with their Nursery peers and will be supported by our staff team.
Your child can either pay for a school dinner, or bring their own packed lunch. Please ensure this contains healthy food choices.
You will be provided with forms to inform staff members of any particular dietary requirements or allergies your child may have.
For more details click on the button below
Uniform
Our Nursery children have a specific polo t-shirt which they are required to wear on the days they attend Nursery. There are also matching Nursery sweatshirts and cardigans.
Our full Uniform Policy can be found here.
When children return to school in September, they are allowed to wear either Summer or Winter Uniform up until October half term due to the unpredictable nature of the weather in the early Autumn.
Please can all children bring with them a small bag containing a full change of clothes, a hat, a water bottle, a waterproof coat and a pair of wellies (which can stay in the school). If your child has specific intimate care needs, please speak to a member of the EYFS team.
How to Purchase School Uniform
We currently use two companies to supply our branded uniform items as follows:
Uniform Shop Online: please visit their online shop by pressing this link Uniform Shop Online
Kick Off Sports: please visit their store on Firs Parade in Matlock or visit their online shop by pressing this link Parade Schoolwear
What will happen on my child's first day?
On your child’s first day you will be greeted by our EYFS team and they will help your child to settle into their new environment.
What should I do if my child will be absent from Nursery?
If your child is absent from Nursery you must telephone the school on the first day of the absence before 9.00 am on 01629 583616.
We especially ask parents to keep children at home if they are too unwell or if they have any kind of infectious illness.
If a child becomes ill at school, you will be contacted by telephone.
Full fees will be charged for any absence.
What is the notice period if my child unfortunately needs to transfer to a different Nursery?
In the unfortunate situation, that your child needs to leave our Nursery, we require one calendar months’ notice in writing. Full charges will apply for the months’ notice period.
How does nursery communicate with parents?
We use an electronic communication app called Class Dojo for the majority of our communication with parents.
You will be provided with an invitation to access this prior to your child starting at Nursery
Any questions?
If you have any further questions at all please contact Mrs Allen, School Business Manager for anything related to the administration or payments, or Miss Montgomery for all other queries.
They can be contacted by telephoning the school on 01629 583616 or by emailing info@joe.srscmat.co.uk
