Activities
> Read about the termly topic
> Read about Makaton signs & Ashford Better Communicators
> Read about the song of the term
Babies:
We will organise the day to fit in with the routine of your baby. Babies will have a full range of indoor and outdoor activities to aid their development and we follow the “Early Years Foundation Stage’ framework.
Tiddlers/Toddlers:
Each child will develop its own routine. All activities and play will be provided to develop the child to his/her full potential. Again, tiddlers/toddlers will have access to a full range of indoor and outdoor activities, following the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ framework.
Pre-school:
All activities will be chosen so that we are able to deliver the foundation stage of the national curriculum. The early learning goals for the education of 3 to 5 year olds are delivered as the following six key areas of learning:
1. Personal social and emotional development:
The Nursery provides the opportunity for children to learn how to relate to adults and other children. They learn to co-operate and share and have responsibility and consideration for other people, their cultures and beliefs, and for property. We foster independence, but ensure that the child also knows when to ask for help. Children from an early age are curious about people, places, animals, plants and everything about them. We teach them to care for one another as well as the environment.
2. Communication, language and literacy:
In the Nursery we develop all aspects of language so that children can become good readers and writers. Speaking, listening, reading and writing are all closely inter-related. We aim to make the Nursery interesting and exciting for the children so as to encourage them to talk about what they see and do. Reading and writing materials are placed in many areas to encourage children to use them. There are many opportunities for the children to listen to stories, audiotapes and to one another. We have a quiet area, which is always available for looking at books or listening to stories.
3. Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy development:
Mathematics is based on practical activities and experiences that are part of our everyday routines. For example; tidying up - sorting toys, matching shapes; painting - covering an area; models - understanding shape; role-play - size the right clothes to fit a doll, number - bowls, spoons and chairs for the Three Bears; construction - building with shapes and fitting them together; baking - weighing ingredients on scales; singing – rhythmical patterns.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the world:
Children have a natural interest in finding out how things work and creating their own models. They can explore sand and water, use construction toys such as Lego and Duplo. They enjoy cooking, tasting and smelling food. We talk about families and cultures, the environment, taking them on local walks to collect items of interest, so that they begin to gain an understanding of weather, seasons and nature. The children also have access to the use of computers. We encourage strong links between home and nursery.
5. Physical development:
Regular activity is needed to promote healthy growth of young children; through practise they develop muscular control, co-ordination and awareness of others and the space they move in. Children also have to think and use their judgement to solve problems when taking part in physical activities. It helps to build self-confidence and develop their imagination. They learn to use small and large equipment safely and with increasing control in a supervised environment.
6. Creative development:
In art, craft, model making, music and movement, drama, children use creative activities as a way of recording what they have seen, done, imagined or felt. Every day a selection of these activities is available for the children to participate in. We also have more structured activities in which staff guide, encourage and help. We believe that the taking part and doing is more important than what is made. There is a music corner with instruments and audiocassettes to listen to.
