message that signals a warm welcome for parents and children at this West Sussex school.
To one side are chairs where parents and carers can relax and, perhaps, watch videos of school projects, such as willow weaving, or the children at play - their aim being to show parents what happens at nursery and how absorbed children can become in their play.
On the walls hang a huge batik print and weaving, each the end-products of creative projects, involving the children, their families and, in the case of the print, a visiting artist. To the side of the weaving hangs a photograph album detailing how the project evolved.
Also on display is a photo montage tracing the history of the school and made by parents, governors and teachers. 'We made the montage to help the children make the transition when we moved in to this building,' explains headteacher Rachel Lewis.
Donations of vegetables can be dropped in a basket, alongside details of the week's food technology activities, while recycled materials can be left in a wooden bookcase.
Other important information to hand for parents are booklets on tax credits, curriculum planning for the next fortnight and a statement of the school's 'mission statement', with its key words, such as 'exploring' and 'valued' stencilled on the wall as a means of reinforcing the ethos of the school to parents.
The reception area also houses a little not-for-profit 'shop', where parents can buy stationery in very small amounts.
Ms Lewis says, 'Our reception area reflects our main aim to create a happy, caring and secure environment where everyone feels valued and where a sense of high self-esteem is nurtured. Valuing parents as active partners, we work together to foster a love of learning which lays the foundations for a lifetime of opportunities.'
