At St Edmund’s Preschool we believe that children learn through play. Children construct their knowledge by touching, tasting, smelling, watching, listening, thinking - and doing. We set up indoor and outdoor activities for our children which are planned with a concern for individual needs and developmental differences.
Our aim is
to build upon experiences provided by you as parents, so together, we
can work towards the happy and successful development of your
child.
During the session your child can experience a
stimulating, creative and fun environment. We have a wide selection
of toys and indoor activities (art and crafts, messy play, computer,
CD player, junk modeling, construction toys, musical instruments,
dressing up clothes, home corner, role play area, dolls, puppets,
dark den, large selection of books , bicycles and scooters and much
more). We also have an outside area which includes a digging area,
natural den, water play, wooden playhouse, art activities, climbing
frame and raised beds where the children grow their own vegetables
and flowers. We encourage the children to select their own choice of
activities as well as offering adult led activities which are in line
with the government’s Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
We are proud to be one of the nursery providers for our local primary school in Hoxne and we are registered to take up to 26 children.
Our most recent combined OFSTED inspection was in November 2007, which we welcomed. The two-day visit went well and the resulting written report awarded us the best possible grading of ‘outstanding’ in all areas. A very high accolade. To view the report in full visit www.ofsted.gov.uk
In September 2008, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) became mandatory for all Ofsted registered settings and schools caring for children under the age of five. The framework divides children’s learning into six areas
1. Communication Language and Literacy
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary 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 purposes of writing and when they are 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, to be able to handle them, and to be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures. Each session the staff read stories to the children, thus encouraging their listening, and memory skills. Each child has a book bag and is invited to take books home from our library.
2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and to take part in the life 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 are encouraged to do so in addition to having respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and for the group, its members and its property.
3. Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
Children’s daily experiences in pre-school are full of problem solving opportunities and numbers. Children have a natural curiosity to resolve difficulties, use numbers and find out about them. Whether sharing out snacks at snack time, counting to see if there is enough room for them to join in an activity, cooking, building with blocks or singing number rhymes, they are involved in not just counting, but developing understanding about how numbers work.
4. 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 also learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings.
Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community, as well as learning of different places and cultures. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding. We have a range of simple tools, techniques and ICT equipment.
5. Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunity, both indoors and outside, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own physical skills. We encourage children to meet physical challenges safely, developing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. Simultaneously, children are supported in the development of finer skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision. We also encourage children to partake in movement and dance.
6. Creative Development
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings. Our art equipment, includes glue, crayons, pencils, paint as well as natural and discarded resources, provide for open –ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of confidence in expressing themselves creatively. In addition, children engage creatively in music, stories, and imaginative role-play and in their exploration of the whole environment.