Supply in foundation stage 1 (nursery)

overtherainbow · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 05:32 PM

Hi again,

After my successful afternoon with reception I have accepted a day of supply in school nursery. Crazy
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probably no experience in terms of teaching nursery but hoping it should be fun.

Anyone else worked in nursery for supply - if so how did it go, what did you do, how different was it to key stage 1/2

I am excited yet nervous and the agency said it's a new school there dealing with so I have to impress

jennyfleur · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:24 PM

Well I love working in nursery and always always always agree to it! (although some just say no outright!)

It's different to reception - you'll no doubt have more extra pairs of hands for a start!

A usual routine would be something like:

To start, kids will come in and usually identify their own name/have some sort of starting independent activity. Parents may hang around for a while, but this varies from nursery to nursery. It'll be the same routine, morning and afternoon.

If it's a small nursery some will do the register etc, but a lot don't, or not discreetly with the kids anyway. If that's the case, I wouldn't worry too much about it and check it out with one of the staff as there's probably a list they tick off.

Nursery is different. There's usually not much sitting down - although you might have a 'key group' to work with for a small period of time. It's usually all very structured though, and the NNEBs will always keep you right. Be led by them over snack time and other routines.

Generally, I would expect to take the kids outside for at least a small portion of the morning and afternoon. A lot of the time it will seem like very chaotic 'choosing', but remember the kids are learning as they are playing, and it's up to you to draw out their learning experiences much like in free play in reception. Be fairly firm about noise levels and helping to tidy up, but don't scare them! The key to working with kids at this age is lots of interaction and involvement, with boundaries. Even though they are only little, don't underestimate what they can do...

You probably won't need much in the way of planning, there'll be lots of activities to choose from. Don't worry about impressing too much, just go with the flow and after a day you'll know whether you ever want to go back to the ankle snappers or not!!

NuttySupplier · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:29 PM

Wish I'd read this before I'd done my one ever afternoon in nursery... though I'm sure I still wouldn't have gone back again!!! Hated it... but doing reception half a day a week I can see that I could now tolerate it!!

Sure you'll love it though!!!

jennyfleur · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:33 PM

We all have our limitations - offer me Year 3 and above and I run a mile.....

overtherainbow · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:33 PM

Heyyy,

thanks for replying mixed reviews there so I guess it's just a case of trying it and seeing how it goes. The agency said planning and that was likely to be left and I presuming I will get some kind of support if not they might not know what their in for.

I was thinking of just taking some story books in and maybe a few circle time activities but as you said they don't tend to be sat down for long so I am not sure how useful they will be. It's a school nursery by the way

jennyfleur · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 06:38 PM

You might read one story - depends on the kids really. Not sure about circle time though, I have done it with familiar kids, but a lot of littlies aren't too confident speaking up with people they don't know. I think you'd be better off going with the routines than trying to fit other stuff in unless there's absolutely no planning. And tbh if there was no planning I wouldn't worry too much, just for one day! If you are mingling with the kids and joining in with their play (getting a cup of tea in the home corner/building a castle/playing in sand and water) they are getting quality small group focus and for one day, that should be good enough!

If you've got time to fill, nursery kids like songs with actions. Five currant buns always goes down well - and in nursery, you can sing it more than once!!!!

Wendy · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 07:09 PM

Timings might be a little odd now beacuse of flexible provision, be prepared to have your dinner at 11.30 like I did the last time I was in nursery! You'll have a TA with you though to steer you in the right direction.

jennyfleur · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 05:05 PM

So how did it go??

overtherainbow · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wendy
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be prepared to have your dinner at 11.30 like I did the last time I was in nursery!.

Lol this happened, and it was till 1.10pm longest dinner ever!

as for the day it went well, there was like 3 TA's and another teacher, it was 65 place nursery but only 38 turned up chicken pox - so I had like umm 12kids, they split the children by 4 teachers. I did 15mins input on goldilocks and the 3 bears, then read a story at the end of the day. The rest of the time I just sat with children as they played. I had to do an observation and cover outdoor play for a bit. Technically an easy day. Feedback to my agency was I was good yay for me
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jennyfleur · #10 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 04:25 PM

Congrats glad it went well - I'm off for 2 days FS tomorrow and Friday - quite looking forward to it and trying to remember all my own advice!!
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