At Lydalls, we place great importance on working in partnership with parents, carers, and the wider community. Regular newsletters give families further details of ongoing activities.

Parents and Carers in the Nursery School

Prior to your child beginning Nursery School, you are encouraged to come and visit any day between 9.30am and 10.30am or 1.30pm and 2.30pm. When your child is settling, you are welcome to stay until your child is happy to separate from you, although we encourage children to attend their group time without their parents.

We especially welcome support from parents in the Nursery School with activities such as sharing books with the children, cooking, art activities, music making, or gardening. Our termly curriculum newsletter gives details of particular activities we would like support with. Ideas for activities are also welcomed.

Children and Parents Library

The entrance hall has an extensive library which all the children are encouraged to use to take books home. The library is self-operating: just enter your child's name and the book number in their group's library book. We ask that you limit your borrowing to 2 books at a time to ensure a good choice for everybody.

Our parent's library has a wide range of books covering subjects such as family health, child development, and special educational needs. It is housed in the community room and is also self-operating. Please feel free to borrow these books or look through them whilst using the community room.

The Community Room

The community room is used for a wide range of activities such as Opportunity Group, Language through Play Group, Parent and Toddler Group training sessions, and PASTA meetings. We also welcome parents to use the room to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee whilst waiting for their children or when settling new children.

PASTA

PASTA is the Nursery School's Parent and Staff Association. It helps to organize social events such as the new children's tea party, and also to raise funds for the Nursery School with events such as the Christmas Bazaar. Parents and carers are welcome to attend PASTA meetings at which we plan forthcoming events over a cup of coffee. Those unable to attend meetings are welcome to support events by helping to run a stall or by coming along and joining in the fun. More information about PASTA, minutes of meetings, and details of forthcoming events are displayed on a notice board in the entrance hall.

Opportunity Group

Opportunity Group is a pre-nursery playgroup for children with particular needs. A health visitor generally refers families to the group. Parents or carers and their children come along for a range of play activities such as painting, water play, and singing.

Language through Play Group

The Language through Play Group is run by the Speech and Language Therapy Service. The group meets weekly and children referred to the service can access their speech and language therapy trough a range of play-based activities.

Hearing Support Group

The Hearing Support Group is run by the Sensory Support Team for children who have severe hearing loss. They too access their therapy through a range of play-based activities.