Learning in the early
years is important in its own right, not just a preparation
for primary school. It is what children can do, not what they
can't do that is the starting point in learning. Children
are active learners. They learn through all their senses,
through exploration, investigation, trying out, listening
and watching as well as play.
Children are
social learners and interaction with other children and
adults is crucial. Play and the child's own motivation are
essential to learning.
We aim to provide the
children attending the nursery opportunities that will support
and promote their overall development in a safe, stimulating
and caring atmosphere, created by appropriately trained,
knowledgeable staff and parents.
We will provide activities
which use equipment appropriate to the age and stage of
development of the children attending the nursery which
will stimulate their interest and encourage investigation
as well as enabling the children to practice existing skills
and to build on those skills to acquire new ones.
The nursery is aware
of the importance of reflecting all members of society,
not just those who attend the nursery but also the local
community and society in general in a positive way.
We have used the headings
provided by the DfEE for the Early
Learning Goals which are explained in the QCA
Foundation Stage, to show how the nursery provides a planned
balanced program which will enable children to develop.
Personal social
and emotional development
Children will be encouraged to build friendships with other
children and adults which will enable them to practice skills
of sharing, caring, helping, working together, solving problems
and taking responsibility for the environment and themselves.
They will be encouraged to concentrate and persevere on
individual tasks and to ask for help when needed.
Communication
Language and Literacy
Children will be given many opportunities to talk about
their experiences and to listen to others. They will be
encouraged to express their own ideas and in a way which
can be understood. They will hear stories, rhymes, poems
and songs and when confident will join in with them. Books
will always be readily available to children for looking
at, to listen to, to read stories and to recognise how printed
words and pictures can convey meaning. Materials for writing
or making marks will be available and children will be helped
to understand the purpose of writing.
Mathematics
Children will get the opportunities provided by many different
activities to match, sort, sequence, count and order everyday
objects which will form the basis of an understanding of
mathematics. Through this knowledge they will be able to
solve problems. They will hear examples of the language
of mathematics; identify objects by shape, size, number
etc. Simple rhymes will help them to learn number sequence.
Creative development
Activities for creative development play will always be
available including paint, crayons, pencils, gluing, collage,
model-making, materials which are natural and man made.
Children will be provided with opportunities to respond
to music and recognisable artistic works. They will have
opportunities for imaginative play, individually and with
others.
Knowledge and
understanding of the world
Children will be offered the chance to explore and experiment
with natural and man made materials. They will be able to
compare and identify the feature of different objects, recognise
similarities and differences and talk about their discoveries
with other children and adults.
Physical development
Children will be given the opportunities both indoors and
out to develop, practice and master skills of balance, movement,
running, jumping and climbing. At all times they will be
closely supervised to ensure safety while encouraged to
test their own abilities with challenging activities which
are fun.
Our
wide range of activities include swimming, FUNdamentals, ballet,
music and movement.
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