Partnership Working

The Federation of Crigglestone and The Castle Nursery Schools are committed to partnership working and have been fortunate to work closely with Wakefield Local Authority to share good practice in the Early Years, including Early Years SEND. 

We have been involved in the following:

Federation SENDCo working closely with WISENDSS (Wakefield Inclusion Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Support Service)

• Enhanced SEND Provision (The Garden Room) - model of good practice early years SEND
• Videos of staff interacting with children in the Garden Room, modelling targeted support and intervention strategies 
• Developing an Inclusive Play Package Leaflet to be shared with Wakefield Primary Schools as a supportive resource
• Visits from a variety of early years settings / schools to the Garden Room to see Enhanced SEND provision in practice 

Wakefield Early Years Conference (June 2022)

Delivery to Early Years Teachers and Support Staff about our federation Early Years curriculum and the start of our Curiosity Approach journey

Wakefield Early Years Support Staff Network (May 2024) 

Senior and Middle leaders led an afternoon session for Early Years Support Staff, from across the district on creativity and imaginative experiences and opportunities for children in the early years curriculum 

The Federation are Wakefield Rural and South Area Early Years Transition Lead for the Local Authority (since June 2024) – We lead termly meetings with local schools from Wakefield South and Rural. The Summer Term focuses on effective transitions between settings, enabling thorough handovers, so that the children have the very best start in their Reception classes.

Autumn and Spring terms are led by the needs of the area at the time. This Autumn Term we will be discussing School Readiness and the curriculum for Reception, EYPP / Pupil Premium and supporting disadvantaged children in our settings.

Both schools and PVIs are invited to attend these meetings. 

Visits to both schools from a variety of other schools and early years settings to see the Curiosity Approach in action. 

Close working with The Castle Family Hub 

The federation have been awarded money to work in partnership with The Castle Family Hub linked to the Start for Life agenda. The funding enabled the set up and establishment of:

·        * Baby massage sessions - alternate schools termly

·        * Weekly Stay and Play Sessions for Families with under 5s, based at Crigglestone Nursery School 

·        * Weekly SEND support group for families with children under 5, based at The Castle Nursery School

·        * The Castle Nursery School Annexe is also used on a weekly basis by the Family Hub for baby and toddler groups linked to the Family Hub offer

These groups are not exclusive for our federation, the local community are invited to attend.

Best practice ‘Curiosity Approach’ Schools – Both schools have welcomed visits from PVI settings (pack away) and other Nursery Schools locally (Wakefield and Kirklees), who are also on their Curiosity Approach accreditation journey 

Wakefield 2 Year Old Provision Network (April 2024) - Federation Preschool Leads led the network meeting at Crigglestone Nursery School, which was very well attended. Best practice provision was shared with the delegates. There have since been follow up visits from schools that initially came to the 2 Year Old Network

Upcoming:

Wakefield Early Years Leadership Network (March 2025) – Lead a session for Early Years leaders, focusing on disadvantaged pupils and cultural capital 

Kettlethorpe Collaborative Partnership (2024 - 2025) - Early Years Lead – Lead EYFS moderation (including Reception – Early Years Profile)

High Quality Interactions videos and photos from our federation to be used by Wakefield Early Years team, in their future training for Early Years staff across the district