About 'Riverbanks Nursery School' It's hard to believe that Riverbanks was established way back in 1990 when early years education looked so different to it does today! But as we move in to our 23rd year of operation, we are a forward thinking nursery school which strives to be reflective, innovative and on a visit - you will be able to feel its vibrancy and energy! Riverbanks' catchment area covers Harpenden, St. Albans, Wheathampstead, Welwyn, Kimpton, Gustard Wood, Redbourn, Markyate, Slip End and Luton. Our facilities are situated conveniently on the outskirts of Harpenden. This means you don't need to drive through the busy High Street to get to us! Everyone in our staff team is appropriately qualified or involved in training courses. Both the Proprietor and another of our class teachers have the most up-to-date qualification for Early Years which is called an EYPS, (Early Years Professional Status) Many of our staff team have over a decade of experience of working with young children. The Riverbanks' team recognises the importance of working alongside parents and strives to develop good working relationships with parents and carers. Riverbanks is registered with Ofsted. We have successfully passed our last 5 Ofsted Inspections. The most recent one having taken place in January 2010. We are very pleased with the outcome - OUTSTANDING Our testimonials and our Ofsted Report speak for themselves. At Work And Play The school is run in a large, modern rented building. It comprises an entrance hall where the children hang their coats and shoe bags and where there is always a staff member to greet and mark them in at the beginning of each session. On the days when our secretary is in school her desk is situated in this friendly and busy area so that parents can have access to her. Off the entrance area we have a kitchen which is out of bounds to the children except if they need the Mr. Bump ice pack from the fridge! There are 3 toilets and 2 urinals and we have a small area to change children who are still in nappies. There is a small quiet room that we use for story and singing times, music lessons and Mandarin lessons. The main classroom is a large, almost square room with plenty of room for the children to have a wide choice of activities every session. When the children's furniture is cleared away, they can dance and have P/E activities in this large classroom. At lunch times, the activity and work tables are disinfected and the lunch children sit in small groups to eat their packed lunches. Outside we have a grassed area and a tarmac area. Once all the families have left, the gates are securely locked and the enclosed site offers plenty of space for the children to play and move around. The little undercover play house, the sloped play ground, the 4 outdoor equipment cupboards, the ducks and the swans who swim along the river next to our outdoor area, all provide added and stimulating resources for our children. Our staff who would care for your son or daughter We can not stress enough how important it is that the adults who are employed in Early Years Settings are qualified and passionate about what they do. There must also be enough of these adults. Riverbanks has 4 graduate staff, and 11 other suitably qualified staff. We also have a friendly, caring & knowledgeable school secretary who works three days a week. We operate Riverbanks on a minimum ratio of one qualified adult to four children at all times. Staff turnover is very low ensuring continuity of education and care for the children. Staff regularly attend courses in various areas of the curriculum. Mary & Jess recently attended an amazing 2 day conference at the renowned Pen Green Centre in Corby, to improve their understanding of schematic thought in children. We are now developing our learning environment to accomodate our current pupils preferred patterns of thought and play. Mary and Shirley recently attended training all about assessing children's learning and skills and a talk by Dr Abigail James at Aldwickbury School in Harpenden, about how boys learn. Tracy recently attend an Early Years Professional's conference in Newmarket - which also focused on how boys learn. As a team, we have a lot of experience and confidence in educating children who are on the Spectrum of autistic disorders. THE STAFF TEAM OWNER/HEAD TEACHER - MS JESSICA LEIGH MCPHERSON - BA (HONS) / NVQ 3 SECRETARY - MRS SARAH HAYMAN EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT ATTACHED TO THE NURSERY SHIRLEY-ANNE HAYMAN - B.ED(HONS) / EYP / DIMPLOME DETUDES FRANCAIS MANAGERS - MISS JADE YOUNG NVQ 2 AND WORKING TOWARDS NVQ 3 / MS HELEN CORRY NVQ 3 One of the regular pieces of feedback we receive from the childrens' parents is that our staff team make a big difference to their children. We strive to understand your son or daughter as an individual. Parental Involvement Towards the end of every term, Riverbanks holds consultation evenings. These evenings are set aside for parents to get together with a child's teacher. In addition, Shirley Hayman is always willing to make an appointment to chat about any aspect of a child's care and education that may be of concern or interest to the family. Children taking books home have a 'reading record book' where parents and teachers alike can record their observations. Riverbanks also organises various parent training seminars. Parents are invited to accompany their child into the large classroom at the beginning of each session, and to come along on school trips, to the Harvest Festival and the Summer term concert. We also hold termly coffee mornings for new parents and the music and Mandarin teachers offer a lesson each term for parents to watch their children at work! Testimonials from our recent parent feedback forms; 'Jess (one of our teachers) has been great with her humour and sheer enthusiasm and shows maturity far beyond her years. However, all the staff are exemplary and a joy to deal with and for my son to engage with.' 'He has come on so much this term in his confidence and independence.' 'Justine, (another of our teachers) talked so positively and with such warmth about our son - it was a lovely consultation.' 'Settling my daughter into Riverbanks was incredibly easy which I think was down to the hard work of Amanda and Mary.' (2 more of our teachers) 'Your consultation evening provided us with extremely thorough feedback. The detail is quite astonishing.' AND FROM PARENTS OF OUR LEAVERS '.....you have shown M and F so much love, fun and understanding - Riverbanks really is a special place - so thank you'. Mr and Mrs M. Harpenden, Sept '10 '....each member of your team Shirley, who has worked and cared for Florence has been absolutely dedicated to her well-being - you should be proud of them.' Mr and Mrs N. '....S's behaviour and speech has improved so much thanks to all of your help.' Mrs O. Sept '10 ' This is just to say thank you so much for the wonderful care you have taken of Oliver. Thanks too got helping me to adjust to letting him go! I am so grateful for the part that you all played in the process our family went through to getting him going back to nursery.' See for yourself We have made our 2nd DVD about A Day in The Life of Riverbanks. Please ask to see this if you are seriously considering enrolling your child at Riverbanks. We have a saying at Riverbanks - 'Try to make a child's day, today.' Mrs Shirley Hayman, the original founder and head teacher of Riverbanks.... has recently passed on the reins to the 2nd and new owner of Riverbanks. Ms Jessica Leigh Mc Pherson. Jessica - a graduate in her late twenties, living in Harpenden has taken over as from 4th January 2013. Please feel free to contact Jessica or Shirley at Riverbanks on 01582 461608 if you have any questions about this. Both Jessica and Shirley are currently working at Riverbanks - supporting eachother. (As at 21.1.13 until further notice)