A DAY IN OUR LIFE

As children do not make a distinction between play and learning we offer both planned and spontaneous opportunities that allow them to develop and learn in different ways.

Carefully planned opportunities will encourage a child to learn valuable concepts and skills to enable them to develop individually and to reach their full potential.

Our sessions are centred on child initiated learning experiences, free flow & small and whole group adult-initiated teaching, using both the indoor and outdoor environments. The timings are flexible as the staff will respond to children’s levels of engagement and learning needs.

MORNING SESSIONS

9:00/9:15 – 12:00/12:15

WELCOME AND SELF REGISTRATION
9:00 / 9:15

You will be there to help your little one sign them selves in and take their seat with everyone else.

MORNING SESSIONS
9:00 – 12:00 / 9:15 – 12:15

Once parents and carers leave, that’s when the fun begins. We play group games, have art and craft mornings, play outside and much more. We like to make every day different.

SNACK TIME
9:30 – 10:30

Children can play outside with one another, fully supervised or inside with their friends. All parents must supply their own snacks.

TOGETHER TIME
10:30 – 11:45/12:00

This is our together time. We will reflect on learning and achievements through songs and stories.

HOME TIME
12:00/12:15

For those younger children or morning only sessions, we will say goodbye to them.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

12:00/12:15 – 3:00

LUNCHTIME!
12:00 – 1:00

Children must bring their own lunches, we will all eat together. Once lunch has been eaten, children usually have some more time to play outside with their friends before the afternoon sessions begin.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS
1:00 -3:00

Just like the mornings, we like to keep every afternoon different. We like to play games, play in the sand pit and much more.

TOGETHER TIME
2:45 – 3:00

Just like the mornings, we like to come together before the end of the day and reflect on what we have all done today and sing some songs together.

FOREST SCHOOL

Forest School is an innovative, educational approach to outdoor, holistic learning through play and exploration; children learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and to use their own initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others.

It helps to instil a love of the great outdoors and is inspirational, stimulating and a hands on experience. This will develop children’s self-esteem, confidence and responsibility.

*your child can begin Forest School in the term in which they turn 3.

Staff identify individual learning schemas to enable the children to learn effectively and to promote success. There is planning for the sessions but this evolves as the children lead the sessions through their own interests.

The setting encourages the children to take informed, self-calculated risks and choices; they develop sympathy and empathy to the group around them and to work as a team to solve problems which helps to foster communication and negotiation skills.

The session is led by our Forest School Leader and 2 Early Years Workers.

WHY IS FOREST SCHOOL SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY?
  • – It is proven from research that learning that takes place in the outdoors is much more powerful and memorable as all the senses are involved.
  • – Forest Schools develop children through a child led approach.
  • – Children are taught how to assess risks for themselves.
  • – Children are able to develop their speech, language, social skills and empathy.
  • – They learn to respect and appreciate nature and the outdoors.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MARK MAKING

Why not fill up a bucket with water, add mops, brushes, brooms, sponges, spray bottles and watch them make marks; or making patterns in rice or flour?

Remember your child needs to develop their gross movements in order to develop the skill to hold a pencil so BIG is better!

MATHS IN THE HOME

Maths is everywhere in the home and outdoors!  A child is able to grasp many of the mathematical concepts through their play experiences.

Why not try these simple activities – get them to sort the washing, matching patterns/sizes; to lay the table, or counting whilst climbing the stairs.