Parent Information
At FRS Kindergarten, we aim to make every family feel supported, informed and confident as their child begins their journey with us. This page brings together the key information parents often need about daily routines, practical expectations and how we work in partnership with you to ensure your child thrives.
Daily Routine & Opening Times
Our Kindergarten is open Monday–Thursday, 8:15am–4:45pm, and Fridays until 12:15pm.
We currently operate on a term-time only basis. From September 2026, we will be extending our opening weeks to 47 weeks per year.
Our day is structured as follows:
Breakfast Club: 8:15–9:15
Core Morning Session: 9:15–12:15
Core Afternoon Session: 12:15–2:45
Extended Afternoon: 2:45–4:45
Friday sessions run only until 12:15pm
Children can attend full days or a combination of sessions, depending on their booked hours.
Sleep & Rest
For children staying in the afternoon or extended afternoon sessions who still require a nap, we can accommodate this. One of our classrooms is converted into a sleep room with portable mattresses and we follow safe sleep routines to ensure all children rest safely and comfortably.
We follow the Lullaby Trust’s Safer Sleep guidance to ensure every child is provided with a safe and secure sleep environment while in our care. More information can be found here.
What to Bring Each Day
To support smooth mornings, please send your child with:
A named water bottle
A healthy mid-morning snack, including at least one fruit or vegetable (crackers, rice cakes, or yoghurt may be added)
A spare clothes bag to stay on your child’s peg (for water play, messy play, or toileting accidents)
We are a meat-free and nut-free setting.
For lunch, families may choose between:
Our catered vegetarian lunch, or
A packed lunch from home (following our food guidelines)
Children staying for the extended afternoon will be provided with an afternoon snack.
You can view a sample lunch menu here.
Uniform
We encourage children to wear our simple, practical uniform:
Kindergarten T-shirt
Kindergarten jumper
Uniform items can be purchased directly from the office.
Settling In
Our settling-in process is gentle, flexible and tailored to each child. We work closely with families to ensure children feel safe, secure and ready to explore at their own pace.
You can read our full guidance here:
Settling In Information
Communication With Parents
We value open and supportive communication. Families stay informed through:
Weekly newsletters
Updates from the teaching team
Termly parent meetings
Informal conversations at drop-off and collection
We also use Tapestry to share photos, videos, and highlights of your child’s learning experiences.
Observations & Assessment
We use OPAL (Observation of Play and Learning) as our framework to support assessment and planning. This ensures every child’s learning journey is documented and their next steps are well-targeted. Read more about OPAL here.
Alongside this, each class is led by a Room Leader, and every child is assigned a Key Worker who builds a close, nurturing relationship with both the child and their family. This partnership approach helps us understand each child deeply and provide consistent, personalised support for their development.
Curriculum and Planning
Our curriculum is thoughtfully planned around overarching themes each term, which are designed to reflect children’s interests and build upon their existing knowledge and experiences. These themes act as a flexible guide for our teachers, supporting the development of meaningful and engaging learning opportunities for each class.
Through this approach, we are able to strengthen the link between home and nursery learning, while also introducing and embedding new language, songs and stories to enrich children’s understanding and communication skills. Planning remains responsive and child-led, ensuring every child’s learning journey is both supported and inspired. Take a look at our termly topic and theme planner for both classes to see the wonderful learning adventures we have planned for the coming term.
Healthy Living & Oral Health
Supporting children’s health is an important part of our curriculum. We encourage healthy eating, independence in self-care, and positive routines around brushing teeth and personal hygiene.
Useful links for parents:
Safeguarding, Inclusion & SEN
Your child’s safety and well-being are our highest priority.
We are committed to providing an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and supported.
Please see our full list of policies here
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)
Inclusion and Equality
EYFS Framework & Learning Links
Our practice is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), promoting development through play, exploration, and warm, supportive relationships.
Parents may find these documents useful:
Attendance, Illness & Absence
If your child is unwell or unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. Guidance on when to keep your child at home, as well as illness and medication information, can be found in:
Clothing & Outdoor Play
We go outdoors in all weathers. Please ensure your child comes dressed appropriately, with:
Warm coat in colder weather
Waterproofs when needed
Sun hat and suncream in summer
Comfortable shoes suitable for climbing and running
All items should be clearly labelled.
Jewish Life & Community
Our days are shaped by Reform Jewish values of kindness, inclusion, and community. Children from all backgrounds are warmly welcomed to take part in shared stories, music, festivals, blessings and celebrations.