New Parent Essentials: Your Guide to Starting Nursery and Reception

We view transition as a process, not just an event. For children moving from our own Nursery, we ensure the knowledge of their learning, interests, and needs, documented in their Learning Journeys, is shared with the Reception teacher who also spends time with them in the summer term before they start. This builds on what the child knows, strengthening their sense of security and confidence.

For new families, we organise play sessions in the Reception classroom during the summer term so children can become familiar and happy with the new environment, routines, and expectations before their official start date.

We encourage families to talk about the transition process and be as open and honest with their children as possible. Allow children to express their feelings, whether they are excited or anxious. You can use age-appropriate language and pictures or videos to help remind children of their new school, making the abstract idea of 'school' more concrete and manageable. If you have any concerns, please speak to your child's key person or Reception teacher.

We ensure all new children benefit from our structured transition provision. We arrange free-flow play sessions for small groups in the Reception class during the summer term, allowing your child to meet staff and make friends with future classmates. Our goal is to ensure your child feels comfortable, happy and familiar with their new setting.

Yes. While we are a non-selective school , we are committed to supporting all children's needs. Our practitioners collaborate to develop support strategies for children transitioning from early years settings to schools, focusing particularly on Social, Emotional, and Communication (SLC) development.

The school day starts between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for Nursery, and at 8:30 a.m. for Reception. The school day for these early years groups finishes at 3:00 p.m..

Yes, we offer extended provision:

• Breakfast Club starts at 7:30 a.m.
• After-School Clubs run until 4:45 p.m. for children aged 3+ in Nursery and Reception.

Please note: These extended hours are charged separately and are not covered by the 15-Hour Early Years Funding (EYE).

Alleyn Court requires a school uniform that is both smart and practical. A detailed uniform list will be provided upon acceptance of a place. We recommend utilising second-hand uniform sales to help manage costs.

Yes. Although we offer a hot, freshly prepared lunch (charged at an illustrative rate of £3.45 per day ), you always have the option to opt out of the school lunch service and provide a packed lunch from home instead.

Yes. Alleyn Court is a registered provider for the Universal 15-Hour Early Years Entitlement for eligible three and four-year-olds. We utilise this funding from Southend-on-Sea City Council and Essex County Council as a remission applied directly against our premium session fees.

The government funding only covers the core costs of the statutory education. The mandatory parental contribution covers the cost of our premium provision, such as our specialist teaching, low adult-to-child ratios, and superior facilities. We do not offer the 30-Hour Extended Entitlement.

Yes. We continue to offer the 15-Hour funding remission on your fees up until your child reaches compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). This typically means the funding is applied up to the end of Term 5 of the Reception year.

No. In line with DfE rules, no charge for consumables (such as sun cream or specialised art materials) or meals can be mandatory. If we charge for these items, you will always be offered a clear alternative, such as providing them yourself.