NurseryOur Classrooms & age groups
Our nursery is divided into rooms that reflect the child’s age and/or ability. We have a free-flow system whereby all the children may choose freely throughout the Nursery. The older children are divided by age for the register and then the four rooms are opened up as a whole. The children have the choice of whether to play indoors or out, choosing activities and finding their own level of learning supported by staff in all areas The Manger Room - Babies & Toddlers The youngest children are cared for in the Manger room. It is a bright and spacious room with plenty of room for messy play or floor play along with a separate sleep area. Toys and equipment have been specifically chosen to encourage this age group to explore and experiment using materials that are new and exciting and/or familiar and secure. In this room we endeavour to follow the routines set by each individual child allowing them to feed, rest and play as required and only introduce new routines once they are settled and familiar with their new surroundings. The Milking Parlour 2 ½ - 4 Year Olds These children are cared for within four bright, spacious rooms which are dedicated to specific areas of play. We have the messy room for creative play, the play barn for physical soft play in a safe and secure environment and a role play area, the hall which is used for baking, ICT, dance and games and the main room which is used for group time, construction play, small world play and games. They have access to a quiet area for reading and relaxing. We also have an interactive whiteboard which is a valuable learning aid. Our main focus here is building on skills already achieved in the Manger in preparation for a successful transition into full time school. Outdoor Play The Udder Pre-School is surrounded by beautiful countryside and outdoor play is positively encouraged. We aim for the children to spend as much time in the outdoors as possible, outdoor clothes and wellington boots are an essential part of everyday life. We have a Forest School area where the children firstly learn the basic rules of playing in the forest. They go on to gain knowledge and respect for the environment hands on. We incorporate many learning experiences in our forest school, which may be viewed as an open air classroom. The Forest School has a drama performance area and parents are very welcome to attend our regular ‘Get Togethers’ where the children sing and perform plays. We endeavour to go for walks everyday where we could see newly born lambs or calves or forage in the countryside, the fields, the hedgerows and woods looking for exciting finds. Children learn to play together or as individuals in any one of the experiences on offer which range from sand and water, ride ons, bikes and trikes, physical play areas, climbing frames, trampolines and areas for quiet reflection. We have our own nursery garden where all the children have an opportunity to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers, learning about the food we eat, where it comes from and, most importantly, how it tastes. Activities Learning through play is encouraged using free-flow activities both indoors and out which foster the child’s understanding and awareness of their surroundings. Our building is designed to allow the children the freedom to explore and learn through a large range of child initiated experiences, including creative and messy play, role play, construction, baking, dance and games. This encourages active imaginations and the development of skills and basic concepts. These areas are regularly rotated to best suit the topics we may be studying. The children have the choice of whether to play indoors or out, choosing experiences and finding their own level of learning supported by staff in all areas. Our setting uses the practice guidance Early Years Foundation Stage to plan and provide a range of play experiences which help children to make progress in each of the areas of learning and development. In some of these experiences children choose their own path with experience and, in others, an adult takes the lead in using positive role modelling to stimulate and encourage participation the children. Staff All of our staff are professionally qualified above and beyond the minimum requirement and are all checked with the disclosure and barring service. They regularly undertake further training to update their knowledge. Children have their own key worker so your immediate daily contact will be your key worker. A key worker helps you and your child become familiar with our setting and feels safe and confident within it. Your key worker will be able to answer any queries you may have and will be mainly responsible for recording your child’s development. If your child's Key Worker is absent for any reason then we had a 'Buddy System' in place where your child's allocated 'Buddy' will take the place of the keyworker for that particular time. The setting keeps progress reports and uses a program called 'Parent Zone' where parents are sent all observations on their child, keeping them updated with the fantastic experiences their child or children have had. Staff and parents working together on their child’s record of achievement is one of the ways in which the key person and parents work in partnership. All our staff are trained in child protection and your child’s key worker will work closely with you in all safeguarding matters. |