The ingredients that helped a child to make a confident move up to school are gratefully acknowledged by former early years teacher Phoebe Doyle.

It's impossible for me to grasp, but apparently my baby girl is due to move from nursery to 'all day stay-for-lunch school' in September. The excitement she feels about starting reception at Barnby Road Primary is down to the experiences she has gained in nursery, the warmth of the practitioners, the friendships she has made, the emotional safety and security provided - and because we have heard they have custard for pudding.

During her time in nursery, Rosie's knowledge of phonics, letter formation and number has developed enormously. Yet for me, the more pressing task for the nursery practitioners was to enable her to feel safe and confident in her first school experience. This has been accomplished through interesting experiences coupled with caring, intelligent teaching. Rosie has been taught to be an equal member in a class setting - a lesson that will see her and her peers safely on to the important next step.

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