The Pre-school Room
We value all babies and children as individuals and want to help them discover that learning is interesting and fun.
We know that choosing the right nursery for your child is of paramount importance to you and share your priority which is to give them the best possible start. We have many years experience of working with parents and children. Our aim is to understand and accommodate your requirements and to meet your child’s needs. They will flourish in our loving home-from-home environment that encourages exploration and investigation through play.
Key Person – We take great care to help babies and toddlers settle into nursery. To assist this, we allocate a member of staff or ‘key person’ to your child. This ‘key person’ will build a special relationship with them and help to meet their needs while they are in our care. They will offer security, reassurance and continuity (they will often be the one to feed, change and soothe your child) and are in the best position to understand individual needs. The ‘key person’ will be someone for you to share information with about your child’s time in nursery. They will help them to develop relationships with other members of staff. When they are ready to move into the next room, for instance, from the baby to toddler room, their ‘key person’ will be there to help them, and you, develop a relationship with, and confidence in, their new ‘key person’.
Observation – Our skilful and perceptive staff take the time to observe and understand your child’s individual needs and interests so that play opportunities, resources and interactions can be planned and provided appropriately for their stage of development.
Learning and Environment – We use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to guide what we provide for them so that they will become strong, healthy children who are competent learners and skilful communicators. We foster your child’s curiosity about their environment. In our care your baby or toddler will learn through interaction with people and active exploration of the world around them through touch, sight, sound, smell and movement. They will quickly develop confidence, skills and knowledge and discover that learning is interesting and fun.
Environment – We have designed our environments to be both cosy and stimulating. The resources, furniture and equipment we provide have been carefully chosen to ensure that they are of the highest quality. All resources are attractive, accessible and displayed in a way that invites your child to investigate, explore and develop sensory awareness. We offer a wide range of experiences in clearly defined areas of the nursery including sand, water and paint to help stimulate their creativity and develop independence. Cosy areas of the nursery are reserved for stories, rhymes and songs. Carpet, mirrors and wooden toys enhance tactile and visual stimulation, and our environment is designed to encourage physical skills such as crawling, sitting, standing and walking. The babies in our care are introduced to discovery play including treasure baskets that contain a mixture of natural materials that differ in feel and texture.
Partnership with parents – Throughout your child’s time with us, we will document their journey of learning and development in their ‘ Learning Journal’. This is unique to them and enables us to discuss our observations with you and offers you the opportunity to give us feedback on how your child is developing at home. Sharing information between home and nursery is useful for parents and staff as it provides a complete picture of your child’s learning and helps us to tailor our nursery programme to the best effect.
What to expect from the Pre-school room
The Environment
• Colourful, attractive and stimulating.
• Walls are decorated with colourful displays, including examples of the children’s work connected with the current topic. Interest tables, or nature tables, are available at child height, with properly labelled objects for children to handle and explore.
The Staff
• Between the ages of 3 to 5 the ratio of staff to children is one to eight. Asquith Pre-school staff are experienced and trained to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Some are qualified teachers and others have undertaken an ongoing programme of professional development through the Early Years Development Childcare Partnership (EYDCP).
The Routine
• From the moment children arrive, there will be a real choice of activities set out with materials that vary throughout the year.
• All our pre-school rooms offer a wide range of resources set out in an attractive and varied way. They will always include:
[column col=”1/2″] Sand and WaterRole Play Area
Maths Area
Arts and Craft
Small World Toys
Music[/column][column col=”1/2″]Book Corner
Writing Table
Outdoor Play
Construction Table
Science Area[/column]
• Children will learn through a combination of planned activities, play and first hand experiences.
Preparing you child for school
Together, we will work to fully prepare your child for the challenges of infant school.
We provide a safe, happy, play-based environment in which your child can learn to socialise and gain independence outside the family.
• Our planning and record keeping meets the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile, which dovetails in to the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1 in Primary School.
• By close observation and continual assessment, we can identify any special problems a child has, so these can be addressed before they start school.
• We prepare children for the routines of a school day.
• We encourage children to become independent, and to develop their social skills by communicating and sharing with others.
• Our nurseries maintain close relationships with local schools, and can provide information for parents about schools in your area.
Our Food
• Is freshly cooked on our premises.
• Is healthy and well balanced, including fresh fruit or vegetables at main meals and no added salt.
• Caters for individual needs – we will discuss your child’s eating habits with you and any special dietary requirements or food allergies are displayed in the kitchen.
Our Staff
• Sit and eat their meal with the children, providing a family atmosphere and encouraging conversation and good manners.
Our Children
• Are encouraged to feed themselves. We start with finger foods and special cutlery for babies. Older children are given child size cutlery and taught how to use it.
• Learn necessary skills for eating together, including taking equal portions and good manners.
• Are encouraged to eat at their own pace and to try new foods, but are not expected to eat any foods they don’t like.
