TISA

Nursery
Information for Parents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE NURSERY .......................................................................................................................... 2
ADMISSIONS ............................................................................................................................. 2
THE PROGRAMME .................................................................................................................... 3
NURSERY EVENTS .................................................................................................................... 3
PRACTICAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 4
TO BRING TO THE NURSERY ................................................................................................... 4
TO LEAVE AT HOME ................................................................................................................. 4
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ................................................................................................... 4
SNACKS AND LUNCH TISA has a NO NUTS food policy. ...................................................... 5
HEALTH AND SAFETY .............................................................................................................. 6
COMMUNICATION .................................................................................................................... 7
MEET THE NURSERY STAFF .................................................................................................... 7

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

Welcome to TISA Nursery! We look forward to getting to know you and your child during
your time at TISA. Please read through this booklet for some important information which we
hope will answer many of your questions


THE NURSERY
First established in 2004, the TISA Nursery offers a
programme and a learning environment that is
structured to meet the needs of 2 and 3 year olds.
From the age of two, children are ready to participate
in more structured activities within a safe and caring
environment. A well-structured and managed nursery
programme can bestow numerous benefits on our
children in terms of their communication skills, selfconfidence, curiosity, creativity and respect for others.
Drawing on the professional experience of our
teachers and teacher assistants, it is our aim at TISA Nursery to bring out the best in your
children.

Brief history. Two mothers originally created the TISA Nursery as Baku Toddler Klub
(BTK) with support from both BP and TISA. Early in 2006, to ensure a sustainable future for
both the Klubs children and staff, a decision was taken for the Baku Toddler Klub to become
part of TISA. In August 2007, BTK completed the integration by relocating to Stonepay. In
2015, BTK was renamed TISA Nursery.

ADMISSIONS
Children are eligible to join the Nursery when they turn 2 years old. However, considering the
individual development of each child, we reserve the right to recommend a later start if
deemed necessary. This is to ensure a positive settling in of your child into our routines.

We usually do not accept new enrolments in Term 3 of the current school year, but if the child
is already 3 years old and will move up to P1 the following school year, consideration will be
given, subject to availability of space in the Nursery.

Children can continue attending the Nursery until they are eligible to join P1 at TISA Early
Learning Centre (ELC). The cut-off date for children to be able to start in P1 is September 1st.
This means that a child must be 3 years old before September 1st of the following school year.

There are three terms to a school year, with each term running for approximately three
months. Please refer to the whole school calendar for dates of school events and when school
is closed for all students (eg. public holidays, professional days, planning afternoons, etc.)

In August and January of the current school year, the Nursery operates a staggered start to
ensure that every child receives individual attention in the settling in phase during the first
days of school.

Admissions Process. If you wish for your child to join the Nursery, please visit the schools
website www.tisa.az and download the required forms to complete. For further information,
please contact Ms Farida, the Nursery Office Administrator, at nursery@tisa.az. Every effort
will be made to meet the demands for places in the Nursery but should it becomes necessary
to start a waiting list, priority will be given to staff members BP and other oil companies.
Page 2 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

THE PROGRAMME

Morning Session: The Nursery Morning Session is open Monday to Friday from 8:25am to
12:30pm, TISA term-time only. We offer 40 morning places with different attendance
options, as follows:

5 mornings: Monday to Friday
3 mornings: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
2 mornings: Tuesday, Thursday

Instruction is in English and our session is made up of a mixture of indoor free play,
structured activities (such as crafts, painting, story/circle time) and outdoor play.

In the childs first week at the Nursery, parents may stay with
their child for about 15 minutes; after that, we kindly request
parents and caregivers to leave the Nursery after saying a
brief and cheerful good-bye to their child, with a promise that
you will return to pick her/him up when school is finished.
We also request parents to please drop off their children at
the Nursery no later than 9:00 am during their first week of
school, to ensure a smooth start into our daily routine.

Afternoon Club Session: The Afternoon Club is open to children currently attending Nursery
ages 2 and a half years and older, and to P1 and P2 in the ELC. The P1s arrive at the Nursery
at around 12.20pm, and the P2s join in at around 2:10pm. Both P1 and P2 children walk from
the ELC to the TISA Nursery accompanied by ELC and Nursery teacher assistants. In cases of
bad weather, a school bus is arranged for the childrens transportation.


Weather permitting, your child will be outside for a time each day in the playground and
garden area. The Nursery is within a secure and well-maintained facility so you need not have
any concerns except for the occasional bumps and bruises that may occur in active play
between children.
A copy of our Morning Session and Afternoon Club daily timetables are enclosed in this
information booklet.

NURSERY EVENTS
There are four Nursery celebrations throughout the school year:

International Day (September)
Winter/Christmas Party (December)
Novruz Celebration (March)
End of the year Party (June)

The exact dates of these events will be announced well in advance to give parents time to
prepare. We also include our Afternoon Club children who take part in our programme in
these gatherings.

We warmly invite parents to join us in these celebrations and encourage them to actively take
part in the preparations leading up to these events.
Page 3 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

TO BRING TO THE NURSERY
Please provide your child with these items when they come to the Nursery:
- water bottle
- a small backpack/zippered bag with spare clothes
- hat that fits well (not too big or too tight please, otherwise your child wont want to
wear it )
- sunscreen lotion in the summer (please apply on your child before he/she comes in the
morning)
- nappies and wet wipes (if your child still needs them)
- lunch pack (if your child is having lunch at the Nursery)

IMPORTANT: Please make sure all items are clearly labelled with your childs name.

TO LEAVE AT HOME
- jewellery, wrist watch, hair pins/clips
- lip gloss
- sweets, candies
- pacifiers /dummies (If need be, these are allowed in
the settling-in period.)
- personal toys, security blankets (These can be easily
misplaced or mixed up with others toys in the
Nursery, causing children to become upset. However,
bringing in a cuddly toy that would help your child in
the settling-in period is allowed.)

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

Clothing and footwear should always be weather-appropriate. Please make sure all items are
clearly labelled with your childs name.

Clothing. Please have your child wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict movement and
are easy for him/her to put on and take off independently.

We strongly recommend that children wear:

- sweatpants, trousers with elastic waistband

- shorts with elastic band in the summer months

- comfortable t-shirt (short or long sleeves, as appropriate)

- footless tights/leggings with socks. These are better than tights that cover the feet so if
your childs feet get wet, he/she will only need to change their socks.

- easy-to-wash clothes, as your child will be active and involved in various activities
(painting, playing outside, eating, etc.)

Page 4 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

The following are not ideal for children to wear, as they restrict movement, uncomfortable,
or difficult for them to do independently:

- dresses and skirts. Although they look nice on girls, they are rather impractical and
especially not safe for climbing and other physical activities.
- jeans, trousers/shorts with buttons, zippers, and belts
- woollen tights/thermal underwear during winter months. We
keep the room temperature comfortable year-round, so one layer
of clothing is sufficient.

Footwear. Outdoor shoes These are the shoes
your child wear to and from school and when
outside in the playground. They should be closed-toe and offers
good support to allow all play activity that involves climbing,
running, and jumping. Shoes with Velcro fastening, not laces, are
ideal, so your child will be able to put them on independently. Shoes
with straps or sandals (crocs) in the summer months are
appropriate.

Indoor shoes Your child does not need indoor shoes as the Nurserys
flooring is carpeted, and the room has a pleasant temperature.

Boots/wellingtons Please bring a pair of boots/wellies for your child to
wear when playing on the sand pit and when gardening. We will keep
them in your childs cubby for the duration of the school year.

SNACKS AND LUNCH TISA has a NO NUTS food policy.

Snacks. The children at the Nursery will be given a mid-morning snack and drink each day
consisting of sliced fruit, vegetable, yoghurt, bread, cheese cubes and water. For Afternoon
Club children, an afternoon snack will also be served. If your child has any food allergies,
please make sure you note them down on the health form provided upon enrolment of your
child to the Nursery, and rest assured that we seriously take this information into account.

Lunch. If you want your child to have lunch at the Nursery, please send in a packed lunch
along with your child in the morning. If your child prefers a hot lunch, we will be able to
warm it up as the Nursery has a microwave oven in the kitchen. Please be reminded of TISAs
school-wide NO NUTS food policy.

During snacks and lunch times, although teacher assistants on duty will be at hand to help
your child with his/her food, we encourage children to develop self-help skills, including selffeeding. We therefore ask parents to please send in lunches that your child can easily manage
on his/her own, such as boneless meat, small sandwiches, cut up fruits/vegetables, mashed
potatoes, etc.

Birthday celebrations. Parents are welcome to bring in a cake or cupcakes (no nuts please)
to celebrate your childs birthday with his/her friends at the Nursery. Kindly inform us at
least a day in advance. We will sing our birthday song during circle time and the children will
enjoy the cake at snack time. Each birthday celebrant will receive a book as present from the
Nursery, courtesy of the PTA.
Page 5 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Feeling Safe and Secure. Your childs safety is our utmost concern. Our staff members are
experienced child minders and regularly attend child-oriented first-aid training delivered by
the SOS Clinic medical staff. In addition, BP Health and Safety personnel also conduct regular
visits to the Nursery to ensure that we consistently meet their health and safety standards.

Medical considerations. Please do not send your child to the Nursery if they are unwell and
have the following ailments:
- temperature exceeding 37.5oC/100oF
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- rash
- bad cough
- communicable disease (conjunctivitis or pink eye, chicken pox, etc)

If your child needs to take medication while in school, please take the medicine to the school
clinic located in the Primary School building. Please ensure that the medicine is clearly
labelled with your childs name and the required dosage. The school doctor will administer
the medicine to your child.

In the event of a medical emergency, our trained staff will administer the required first aid
while parents are being contacted. In cases requiring treatment beyond the usual first aid
measures, we will take children directly to SOS Clinic using an ambulance service if necessary.
A first aid trained staff member will stay with the child until a parent arrives.

In case of minor accidents or injuries, parents will be informed
and the incident will be noted in the Nurserys accident
logbook.

Releasing Children. Children will not be released to anyone
other than their parents or designated drivers/nannies.
Should you change pick-up arrangements for your child, please
inform the Nursery, or in some cases, both Nursery and the
ELC (for P1 and P2 children in the Afternoon Club).

Absences. If your child will not be coming to the Nursery, please call or send an email to let us
know. In cases where your child will not attend the Nursery for a prolonged period, please
also inform us and, where possible, let us know when you expect your child to return to
school. Please note that it is not allowed to temporarily assign your childs place in the
Nursery to another student during your childs prolonged absence.

Behaviour. We at the Nursery know that children in this age group go through emotional
changes. Separation from parents and being in a new environment is challenging and even
confusing for them. Emotional outbursts are typical reactions to such situations as your child
tries to take control of his/her actions, feelings, and impulses.

Whilst we acknowledge that children in this age group will not always behave in a rational,
logical and grown-up like manner, there are simple classroom rules that we encourage the
Page 6 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

children to follow and understand, to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for
everyone.

When necessary, we intervene in childrens arguments, assist them in solving conflicts, and
help them understand how their actions affect the feelings of others. We enforce positive
behaviour and make this topic a regular feature in our circle times. In cases of behavioural
issues involving biting, hitting or pinching, parents of children involved will be informed
immediately to discuss the matter.

If there are areas of concern in the childs general or specific development, the Nursery
teacher will closely monitor and observe the child, take notes, and if necessary, consult with
the TISA Learning Support Coordinator. The teacher will then invite the parents to a meeting
to discuss further steps to ensure the best possible support for the child.

COMMUNICATION

TISA Nursery Contact Information. We strongly believe in the importance of parents as
partners in your childs journey of learning. Please feel free to contact us if you have any
issues or concerns you wish to discuss.

Nursery Office telephone number: (012) 497 72 83
Email address: nursery@tisa.az

Nursery Manager:
Racquel Haverkamp rachaverkamp@tisa.az
Office Administrator:
Farida Guliyeva
nursery@tisa.az

Your Up-to-date Contact Information. It is vital that the Nursery has current home address,
email address and telephone numbers. Please inform the Nursery if you change any of your
contact information.

Nursery Newsletter. This will be sent out to all parents every Friday. Please read the
Newsletter as they contain important information.

MEET THE NURSERY STAFF

Racquel Haverkamp (rachaverkamp@tisa.az)
Racquel has a Masters degree in Human Resource Management from the University of
London, and is a certified TESOL teacher. She loves working with children and has been a
substitute teacher at TISA since 2012 mainly in the lower primary school, including the
Nursery. Racquel has lived overseas for over 25 years. Before coming to Azerbaijan in 2010
she worked in international schools in Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Cambodia. Racquel is married
to Roelf Haverkamp who teaches Primary PE and they have two sons attending secondary
school at TISA. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing tennis, swimming, and the
outdoors.

Farida Guliyeva (nursery@tisa.az)
Farida graduated from the Medical University in Baku and trained as a paediatrician. She is
the life and soul of the Nursery Office, as she handles all office administration, nursery
enquiries and admissions. She is also responsible for the nurserys afternoon programme. She
loves working with children in this age group and has been with the Nursery for over 10
Page 7 of 8

TISA Nursery
Information for Parents

years. Farida loves traveling, reading, cooking and creating beautiful flower baskets. She has
three grown children and loves having them around in her free time.

Solmaz Murtuzayeva
Solmaz graduated in English and German from the Language University in Baku. She worked
in a secondary school in Baku and as a nanny for expat families before joining the Nursery.
Somaz loves reading stories to children and performing puppet shows for them. She loves
working with children in this age group and has been with the Nursery for over 10 years. She
has three grown children and a grandchild, of whom she is very fond.

Angela Medjidova
Angela graduated from the Medical University in Baku and worked as a dentist. She is the
artistic heart of the Nursery, creating beautiful wall displays and colourful window paintings.
In her free time, Angela loves designing artwork and painting with oil on canvas. She has
three children and loves spending the weekends on the countryside with them.

Aida Gurbanova
Aida is a trained primary and music teacher. She worked for several years in schools in
Germany, Belarus and Azerbaijan. Aida loves music, especially classical music. She plays the
piano wonderfully, which livens up our circle times! Aida has been with the Nursery for over
10 years. She has two children and is very active and involved in her local community.

Yekaterina Myasnikova
Katerina studied languages at the Language University in Baku. She loves creating artwork
with beads and enjoys working with children. She worked as a nanny and babysitter for
several years before joining the Nursery. Katerina is particularly interested in the learning
process and development of children in this age group. She joined the Nursery in 2014.

Renata Abbasova
Renata studied law and worked as a volunteer in her local court district. She then joined TISA
Primary School as a teacher assistant in the Arts department. She also worked as a nanny for
expat families and as an English tutor. Renata loves travelling and walking in her free time.
She enjoys working with children in this age group and is interested in learning about their
individual development.

Aysel Sharifova
Aysel studied English at the University of Languages in Baku. Before joining the Nursery in
2010, she taught several English courses for children and adults. Her favourite place in the
Nursery is the puzzle corner where she patiently plays with our children. Aysel loves
listening to music, cooking, and looking after her son who keeps her busy when she finishes
work at the Nursery.


Aug 2016

Page 8 of 8