Curriculum
All children are supported in developing their own potential at their own pace. We ensure a planned curriculum suitable for the needs of each individual child. By means of developmentally appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum which leads to nationally approved early learning goals and prepares children to progress with confidence to primary school.
Language and literacy
Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purpose of writing and, when ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and a source of stories and pictures. Our Rising Fives/phonics system enables us to work well with the local primary school.
Personal and social development
Within a caring environment, children are individually encouraged to develop confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in all aspects of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are encouraged to be responsible with all aspects of the group.
Mathematics
We encourage children to become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis for early mathematics. As they use their developing mathematical understand to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.
Knowledge and understanding of the world
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment. A varied range of equipment enables children to extend their problem solving abilities.
Physical development
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out of doors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A ratio of 1 adult to 6 children enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
Creative development
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and recycled resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a group.
Rising fives / Pre-school
Also incorporated in the week are two sessions, on a Wednesday afternoon and a Thursday morning, where we do some simple phonics work with other children. This is where children are encouraged to explore letters and numbers in a really fun way.
The children benefit immensely from this, especially those who are approaching school age. Every half-term we spend a morning or afternoon (with school lunch) at Newton Ferrers Primary School with the reception class. These school sessions are only for the children who are about to start school and if your child is younger you will be asked to swap their session for another day.
