A Typical Session

§         9.15 – 10.40 - Children may choose their own activities from the selection provided. There are also adult-led activities, in which the children are encouraged to take part (e.g. craft, pencil skills, maths, experimentation, listening skills, board games).

§         10.40 - Children help to tidy away toys, then

§         11.00 – 11.15 - Snack time, which comprises a piece of fruit and a biscuit with a drink of milk or water.

§         11.15 – 11.45 - One or a combination of the following activities: mini-assault course, music and movement, singing, circle games, bean-bags, balls and hoops, table top construction toys and games, parachute games, outdoor play.

§         11.45 – 12.15 - Counting, alphabet song and group story time. 

Curriculum

We recognise the importance of play in early education and aim to provide an environment that offers a variety of play experiences and opportunities from learning across all areas of development.

Activities are planned to cover the following six areas of learning:

1. Personal, social and emotional development

Their self-confidence and motivation; the ability to sustain attention and concentration, to understand right from wrong and consequences of their actions; to attend to their own personal hygiene; to show respect for other people and property; to be part of a group and to understand the need to share and take turns.

2. Communication, language and literacy

This includes communication and negotiation skills; attentive listening; a wide vocabulary; clear speech and conversational skills; imagination; an understanding of the link between letters and sounds, the purpose of writing and that print carries a meaning; emergent writing and mark making.

3. Mathematical development

Their ability to count accurately, to recognise numerals, to describe shape, size, position and quantity, to match and sequence sets of objects.

4. Knowledge and understanding of the world

Their observational skills; to notice similarities and differences, ask questions about why things happen and investigate how things work; to build and construct using a range of resources; to use simple tools appropriately; to show an interest in their environment and differentiate between past and present.

5. Physical development

Their physical abilities; to move and control their bodies with confidence and co-ordination using a range of equipment, tools and materials and develop an understanding of the importance of keeping healthy.

6. Creative development

To explore colour, shape, texture, art and design using a wide range of materials; to explore sound, touch, movement, matching movements to music; to use their imaginations in role-play.

Topics

Various activities in the nursery are linked to a topic or theme, which changes every few weeks. Topics are listed on the notice board hanging up in the lobby. Your child is always welcome to bring to the nursery a relevant item from home, related to the topic, to be placed on the ‘interest table’ and shown to the group.