Welcome to Babington House School

Welcome to Babington House School and to our thriving EYFS department where your child’s learning journey begins.

I am thrilled that you and your child our joining our community and look forward to getting to you over the coming months and years.

In accepting a place here your child is embarking on a journey of discovery: they will be encouraged to take risks, ask questions and be curious. Most of all they will have fun!

We pride ourselves here at Babington on being a caring and nurturing school. Your child will be known, supported and challenged. You as parents play a crucial role in your child’s development and education, and we look forward to working collaboratively with you.

I hope you find the following information useful. There is a lot to take in when you are new to a school, so please do not have any hesitation to reach out to me or the teaching staff if you have any questions.

Mrs Elizabeth Channon

Head of Nursery and Prep

By now, you would have attended a Taster session and would have met our wonderful teaching staff and some of your child’s new classmates.

Your next steps are to visit us in the Summer term as part of your induction process to kickstart your child’s school journey.

Nursery Settling in session:

Our Admissions Registrar, Ms Standing, will be in touch to arrange a 30 minute settling in session for your child during the Summer term to enable them to familiarise themselves with their teacher and new classmates.

Nursery Induction Event:

*Please save the date* Wednesday 1st July, 4pm

Nursery starter families are invited to join us for our Nursery Induction event to welcome you to the Babington family. During this event, you will have the chance to hear from our Senior Leadership Team and our Mrs Thomas, our EYFS lead, where you will find out key information regarding your child starting school such as the structure of their day, the curriculum and key topics that they will be learning.  You will also have the opportunity to meet key members of our Pastoral care and specialist teaching team.

Please save the date and an invite will be emailed to you, RVSP required.

Reception meet the teacher morning: *Please save the date* Friday 26th June

Arrival: 08.45am

Collection: 10.00am

To help your child kickstart their school journey, we invite them to visit us in the Summer term.  This is a brilliant opportunity for your child to meet their new teacher and class mates and provide you with the opportunity to meet with our Head of Prep, Mrs Channon, and our Headteacher, Mr Laird.  Please save the date and an invite will be emailed to you, RVSP required.

Reception Information Evening: *Please save the date* Tuesday 8th September 4.30-5.00pm

Families of our Reception pupils are invited to join us at the start of the Autumn term to welcome you to the Babington family. During this event, you will have the chance to hear from our Senior Leadership Team and your child’s Reception teacher, where you will find out key information about the structure of the day, the curriculum and key topics that they will be learning.

Ahead of your child joining us in September, we need to collect important information from you.  You will need to access the Parent Portal with your log in details provided and complete the following forms by Monday 8th June 2026:

• Data collection
• Medical form
• Food allergy, intolerance and religious preference form
• Photo consent form
• Evidence me permission form
• Early Years collection form

Accessing the Parent Portal:

To login to the Parent Portal for the first time, please follow the steps below:

1. Click here to log in
2. Select the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top right of the webpage.
3. Select ‘Login’ and then select ‘Create an account’ at the top right of the webpage.
4. Use the authentication codes given in your Welcome Information email to login.
5. Your account will be created

Once you have logged on the first time, you will be asked to enter a password.  Please choose something that is memorable, that does not contain your date of birth, your child’s name or your address.  You will be asked to give a security question and answer, just in case you forget your password.

To complete your enrolment forms please access the ‘communications’ tab and then ‘electronic forms’.

The URL can be simply added to your phone home screen by:

Apple/iOS – click the arrow at the bottom of the Safari web browser and click the option ‘Add to Home Screen’

Android – open the website in the Chrome browser, tap the menu icon (three dots) and select ‘Add to home screen’.

Starting Nursery or Reception is a big step — for both children and their families. It’s completely natural to feel a little nervous, but at Babington House, we’re here to make the transition as smooth, supportive, and joyful as possible. Our caring team takes the time to get to know each child, helping them to settle in at their own pace and feel safe, happy, and excited to learn. From day one, you’ll be part of a nurturing community that’s with you every step of the way.

The first day:

Please bring your child to our main entrance on Grange Drive where you will be welcomed by a member of staff.  To help them settle in, we assign your child with a key person who is there to support them as they navigate their new journey.

On their first day, to ease them in with a bit of familiarity, we will have a number of activities set up which are inspired by all of the things you have told us that your child enjoys. This helps children feel at ease.

We then will progress into giving your child a friendly Babington welcome, this will involve us having lots of fun singing our welcome songs and also provides us with the opportunity to explain our school values to your child.  We then build up to taking your child through our daily routine which invites your child explore their imaginations, challenges their curiosity and develops a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Please read the ‘What to bring each day’ section to ensure that your child has everything they need for a smooth start to school life.

The Nursery Daily Routine

Arrival: Between 8:20-8:4oam Children arrive via the main gate entrance on Grange Drive.  Parents should take their child to the nursery classroom entrance.

End of day: 3:15pm Children should be collected from the main gate on Grange Drive.

The Reception Daily Routine

Arrival: 8:20-8:35am Children arrive at the double gate on Clifford Avenue.

End of day: 3:15pm Children should be collected from the double gate on Clifford Avenue.

Increasing Nursery sessions:

Our Nursery offers full and part-time places with a minimum requirement of three sessions. You can adjust your chosen Nursery sessions by making a request via email to the EYFS Co-ordinator.  A term’s notice is required for any reduction of sessions.

Morning sessions: 8:45am – 12:15pm, which includes lunch.

The afternoon sessions: 12:15pm – 3:15pm.

Full day: 8:30am – 3:15pm.

We offer a Breakfast Club from 7:30am to 8:30am and an After-School Club from 3:15pm until 6:00pm.

We have a free sibling club for children who have older siblings who finish at 3:20pm or 3:40pm, to enable parents to collect children at the same time.

Visit the We nurture – feeling safe and happy  section to find out more about your child’s daily routine.

We’re Here Every Step of the Way!

We like to ensure that you are kept updated with everything that is happening at Babington. Our Senior Leadership Team operate an open door policy and welcome you to arrange a meeting with them to discuss anything regarding your child.  Weekly correspondence is sent out on email via the school office and our dedicated EYFS staff are always available for quick chats and will offer support whenever its needed.

There are also a number of ways in which we stay connected.

Weekly email newsletter:

You will automatically start to receive the Babington Bulletin, our weekly email newsletter, which is sent out on Fridays.  This contains a round-up of the week, upcoming events, awards, sports competition results and upcoming fixtures.

Social media:

Follow us on social media for our latest news and updates:

Facebook – @Babingtonbr7

Instagram – @Babingtonhouseschool

Parent portal:

Our Parent Portal, is your key hub where you can complete key forms, view reports and timetables, house point rewards, clubs timetables and the weekly menu. Your log in details have been supplied in your welcome letter. You can access the Parent Portal HERE.

Evidence me app:

Evidence me enables you to view your child’s observations (complete with photos) via the app or web suite. This will show you what your child has been learning and the new skills they are developing – We think these will brighten up your day!

You can also send us your comments and feedback by adding them to the observations via the app or web suite. This will help our staff to support your child even more effectively in the classroom.

You can actively contribute to your child’s observation portfolio by uploading your own observations.

To enable us to set this up for you, please provide your permission for us to share your email address with evidence-me. Participation is optional, but we recommend getting involved.  Please complete the form, which you can find under ‘Forms to complete’.

If you provide your permission, you will receive an email from Evidence Me (donotreply@evidence.me) asking you to confirm that you would like to participate.  Ensure you check your spam/junk inbox, as sometimes emails can get lost there.

Further information and guidance can be found here.

Headteacher’s Coffee Morning:

Mr Laird hosts a coffee morning once every term, this provides the opportunity to find out about what’s going on at Babington House, answer any questions that you may have and meet other parents across the school.

Here is a list of what your child needs to bring to school each day for Nursery and Reception:

• Book bag
• Water bottle
• Coat
• Spare clothes
• Clearly labelled belongings

Please visit the Uniform section for a full list of what your child needs to wear and where to purchase it.

At Babington House School, our uniform reflects our pride in being part of a close-knit, respectful, and high-achieving community. All pupils are expected to wear the full school uniform, which is supplied by OZ Schoolwear and can be ordered online.  For a uniform fitting, please book via the Oz Schoolwear website.

View our Nursery uniform list

View our Reception and Prep School uniform list

You can also purchase pre-loved uniforms via the PTA School Shop. For further information email: babingtonuniform@outlook.com

Nursery pupils:

Your child can be dropped off between 8:20am – 8:40am via the Grange Drive entrance and collected at 3.15pm.

Reception pupils:

Your child must arrive via the Clifford Avenue entrance.  If your child arrives late at school, they must sign in at the School Office. Pupils can arrive between 8:20am – 8.35am to ensure prompt registration at 8:35am and lessons starting at 8.40am.

Your child’s attendance and punctuality are an important aspect of their learning journey and will, therefore, be monitored.

Absence:

If your child is unwell, an email must be sent to the school office by 8am by the parent/carer.  If the school office has not been contacted, they will make a telephone call to follow-up.

An email is also required if you need to be excused for part of the school day for a medical appointment. Please email absence@babingtonhouse.com or call 020 8467 5537.

With our wrapround care and close proximity to Elmstead Wood station (less than a five minute walk!), you are able to drop off and pick up your child around your work commitments.  Our wraparound care helps meet the needs of parents and provides a relaxed and sociable environment at the start and end of each school day

Wraparound care: Breakfast club:

Our Breakfast club is available to all pupils from Nursery, and is run in-house from 07.30am to 08.30am, £9 per child, per session.

This can be booked via SOCs, your log in for this will be supplied in the Summer term.

Wraparound care: After school care:

We are delighted to work with Munchkin Sports to offer our wraparound care service.  Each afternoon, children enjoy exciting activities such as art and games, active play through a range of sports, a healthy afternoon tea and relaxing activities to help children to wind down before home time, all delivered by experienced OFSTED registered staff. More information can be found here.

Our after school care offers a range of collection times to support the varying needs of our families:

End of day – 4.30pm £10

End of day – 5.00pm £13

End of day – 5.30pm £16

End of day – 6.00pm £19

This is also available to pupils attending from other after school clubs:

4.45-5.30pm £9

4.45-6.00pm £12

After school care needs to be booked and managed through the Munchkin Sports booking system MagicBooking.  Please click here to find out more and to create your account.

Our code of conduct represents our values that influence everything that we do and we expect all members of our community to reflect these.  They are:

Kindness

Courtesy

Determination

Honesty

Respect

Our Early Years setting is where their learning journey begins. With our Early Years Foundation Framework,  We inspire children enabling them to discover that learning is exciting and fun.

Specialist teaching:

Children benefit from being in a class with a team of experienced, qualified Early Years educators who have the skills to concentrate on pre-reading, writing and mathematical understanding skills.

The Early Years curriculum:

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning; underpinned by the characteristics of effective learning.  There are three prime areas which are:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication and language
• Physical development.

There are four specific areas which are:

• Understanding the world
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Expressive arts and design

 Phonics and early reading:

In Nursery the children focus on Little Wandle Foundations in Phonics.

Foundations in Phonics activities are adult led, focusing on the oral segmenting and blending of familiar words, rhyming and hearing initial sounds in words. Children play games which develop a range of skills to support their learning as they advance through the different phases of the programme. All activities are differentiated to suit each child’s level of development.

In Reception the children begin with a focus on the oral segmenting and blending of sounds. The children then move onto phase 2, where they will be focusing on recognising the sound in its written form.

Once the children have developed the skills of recognition, they may be ready to begin to segment and blend simple three letter words. All activities are differentiated to suit each child’s level of development.

From the moment your child starts at Babington House they are immediately part of our school community and immersed into school life from the start.  We build the foundations and challenge their thinking enabling our pupils to grow their independence with each small achievement becoming a big step forward on their learning journey.

• We encourage children to try new things
• We build small steps of independence (putting on coats, choosing their own activities)
• We develop early routines and confidence
• We support them as they are immersed in to daily school life embracing lunch times in our dining hall, assemblies in our main hall and various House competitions across the year including sports day.

Enrichment:

We believe that learning extends far beyond the classroom. That’s why we offer a rich and varied co-curricular programme that allows children to discover new interests and develop various skills. From creative clubs like art and music to energetic sports sessions and fun language lessons, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Clubs are held at lunchtime or after school, providing great opportunities for social interaction, self-expression, and confidence-building.

Clubs booking:

When you start, you will be given access to SOCS – our online platform where you will able to view and book on to our clubs.

Towards the end of the Summer term, you will be sent a notification when Autumn term clubs are available for booking along with your log in details for SOCS.

In the meantime, a full list of available clubs can be viewed on the Parent Portal

Educational trips:

Educational trips and outings play a key role in bringing learning to life. Our Early Years pupils enjoy a range of local visits and special excursions that enrich the curriculum and spark curiosity. Whether it’s a trip to the farm, a museum, or a seasonal outing, these experiences are thoughtfully planned to be both enjoyable and educational.

All trips are carefully risk-assessed, and parents are informed well in advance with details of the outing, including any costs involved. While some trips may request voluntary contributions, we aim to make experiences accessible for all. These special days often become treasured memories for our children and an important part of their learning journey.

Children learn best when they feel safe and valued.  Babington House is a happy community where every child is known and celebrated.

• From the start, children build strong relationships with our specialist Early Years staff.
• Children thrive within our caring and supportive learning environment.
• We help children settle, make friends, and feel secure.

Preparing them for Prep School from the moment they start:

From the moment your child joins us in Nursery and Reception they are immersed into school life and the community.  Our experienced Early Years specialist staff guide and nurture your child through their daily routine as they explore all that school life has to offer from an engaging curriculum, establishing lunchtime routines in our dining hall and making independent choices; to imaginative play as they explore our play area and being part of one of our Houses.  All of this enables a careful, smooth and seamless transition to Reception and Prep School.

We value the partnership between home and school and understand the difference it makes to children’s development when that relationship is strong.

Here are some tips to get your child ready for school:

• Encourage independence (dressing, toileting)
• Share stories and talk together
• Build simple routines
• Talk positively about school
• Talk to your child about the lunch time menu to enable them to make choices and encourage them to try new things
• Read with your child every day – it will develop their curiosity and imagination.
• Practise recognising their name
• Encourage your child to ask an adult for help when they need it
• Encourage your child to follow simple instructions
• For Reception, get your child to practise changing into their PE kit, putting their coat on, taking their coat off and hanging it up
• Practise using a fork and spoon