THE PRE-SCHOOL SESSION – For 3 to 5 year olds

Each day, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm is our main time for planned learning activities. This is when the majority of the activities have a planned Phase of development behind them. Each week there are at least 6 phases of development which we focus on (at least 1 for each area of learning).The planned phases of development, which we promote through play activities each week, will enable your child to practice and develop their skills whilst participating. This is learning through play.

The Short Term Curriculum Plan for each day of the week is displayed on the Notice Board. A Daily Activity Board is also on display to inform you of exactly what the children have been doing throughout the day. There is also a notice board to tell you what activities the children have chosen today.

There are activities that are available every session which are free play. These are painting at the easels, chalking at the easels, magnetic numbers and letters at the easels, creative, construction, maths and pre-writing areas, water play, book corner, life experience centre, floor play, sand tray, computers, free flow access to an activity outside, as well as outside play on bikes etc. unless the weather is severe, then we do some dancing, music and movement or games.

We now incorporate the free flow system throughout each session. This is where the door is open for the children to access activities available in the outdoor area. The activities are supervised by an adult. The staff will move outside or inside according to the amount of children choosing to be in either area. Free flow is good practice as it allows the children to explore a wide range of experiences, whilst having the benefits of more space to enable them to express themselves and have fresh air. It is also a Statutory Requirement made by the Government.

 CURRICULUM

Our curriculum has been designed so that each of the children has an equal opportunity to learn, to the best of their abilities, within the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework(EYFS). We use these to plan our Short Term Curriculum which includes differentiated activities for all children

As well as these areas of learning, four key elements of learning are considered these are; KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS,CONCEPTS,IDEAS AND ATTITUDES.

Our curriculum incorporates our settings aims and principles:-

OUR AIMS ARE;

1)To encourage your child to be polite, considerate, ask questions, be as independent as

they can be and be ready to attend school when the time comes.

2)To be able to write their own name and more if possible.

3)To recognise and hopefully write the numbers up to five.

4)To know all the colours and most shapes.

OUR PRINCIPLES ARE;

We promote play as the most appropriate way for under fives to learn. The key categories listed above are incorporated into the activities that we undertake, every child has an equal opportunity and is encouraged to take part in each of the daily activities, so that over a period of time, their experience is continued and they can be seen to be making progress. Parents and carers are the first educators of young children. The aim of Kneehigh is to support their essential work, not to override what they have achieved. We will make all new parents/ carers aware of the nursery systems and policies. Parents/carers are kept informed about their child's progress through play plans, which are written by their key worker on a regular basis. These give the parents/carers a good opportunity to work in partnership by giving us feedback. Parents/carers are encouraged to contribute their own skills, knowledge and interests to the activities of the group in various ways.

KNEEHIGH'S POLICIES

Long and Medium Term Curriculum Admissions

Term and Timetable Complaints Procedure

Safety/Transportation of children in cars Health and Hygiene

Staffing Student Placement

Parental Involvement Key worker

Behaviour Management Confidentiality

Toilet Safe Guarding Children

Specific Educational Needs Diet Policy

Equal Opportunities Equipment

Sun Policy Child in Care

All of the above are typed in full inside our red Welcome Folder.