There is one thing that parents can do to profoundly benefit their children and that is to be involved in their education. Many studies have concluded that parental involvement in a child’s education has immense positive benefits for the child. What is more, those benefits are long-term and far-reaching in their impact. Findings and statistics show that parental involvement in a child’s education really supercharges the child’s success every step of the way. That series of boosts seems to snowball from nursery through primary and into secondary school education.
Throughout the nursery school year, parents are encouraged to become involved in school life and to get to know each other. Some parents find great support in talking to each other and many forge friendships here which continue long after their child has moved to primary school and beyond! We know that some parents might find it difficult to engage for any number of reasons, not least their own personal experiences of school, and so we strive to develop extremely positive and effective relationships with families in a number of different ways.
The photo included here captured our 20th Anniversary celebrations at the Killyhevlin Hotel, organised by our fantastic parents committee. We raised over £4000 on this night which went toward our playground redevelopment.
Questionnaires and Focus Groups:
We are continuously learning from our own observations and experiences and welcome insight from children, parents and the wider school community to support this. Parents will be invited to participate in research in the form of focus groups; interviews and questionnaires to help us action improvement towards our next school development plan.
Stay and Play Sessions:
Parents and Families are offered opportunities to come to school to ‘stay and play’ throughout the year.
Parent Learning Sessions:
In relation to adult learning opportunities, we host different workshops/sessions. Parents are encouraged to attend these.
School Trips:
These experiences are essential to supporting the children’s knowledge and understanding of the world in which we all live. Our trips generally take advantage of the wonderful facilities and opportunities in our local area. Parents/Carers are essential in enabling these educational visits to take place, ensuring appropriate levels of supervision.
Celebrations:
Celebrating is a very important part of learning and building on strong foundations. Parents and Families are invited to join us in celebrating achievements through keeping us informed about their children’s achievements, out of school, and sending in photos or certificates for discussion and display in school.
We have some key celebrations during the year including our September BBQ, charity Coffee Morning, Christmas Sing-Along, Brewster Sports Day, and Summer Garden Party. These are extremely popular with children, staff and parents and are always well supported.
Caring for the Community and Community Events
It is never too early to start teaching our children about respect and responsibilities: for themselves, for those with whom they share their community; for the local and wider environment; and it is the role of the adults in their lives to teach them these values. To this end, our programme of learning includes ECO School activities, visits to Castlecoole Estate and other community visits; visits to a local primary school and another nursery settings (Shared Education) and fundraising activities for charities. Parents are instrumental in helping us to plan for and action these events.
During the year, parents; aunties and uncles; grandparents and even great-grandparents are all welcome to school to share their knowledge and skills and to ensure that a strong sense of community spirit is instilled in our youngest children.
We are always delighted when parents, grandparents and friends want to be more involved in the school, whether that be in helping us with our garden or polytunnel or coming along on trips. Sometimes parents like to support with fundraising.
