When the children first arrive they are greeted by the staff, who help to see them through the arrival process, hanging their coats up and sanitizing their hands. They are then free to choose an activity to start their day. Some children are happy to run off and play some need an aunties support to find what they would like to do, all children are different there is no right or wrong way!!!!
If any children have any wow moments from home to share we call the children together to celebrate each others achievements at the beginning of the session. We also have a at home wall which we use to display photos parents have sent in of things children have been doing at home to help children see links between home and pre-school life. Children are reminded that their water bottle is available at all times in their basket and encouraged to drink throughout the day, this will be refilled if necessary. (Each bottle must have your child's name on so they can clearly see which is theirs.) The children will not be given juice during the session however they can bring another drink to have with their packed lunch only.
During the morning we provide a wide range of activities for the children to enjoy. Toys and activities are set out with the children in mind, activities are planned for specific groups of children on each day. We have a separate caterpillar area for the younger children if they need a bit of quiet space to be away from the hustle and bustle in the main play area.
In the activity centre area there are crafts, exploratory play or games where the children can make, paint and create their own masterpieces or participate in a focused small group activities these are different every day and staff take it in turns to plan activities their key children will enjoy. Within the free play area there is always puzzles, malleable play, quite book area and a mark making table available.
The children's imaginations can run riot in our role play area which is changed each week with home corner, doctors, shop etc. and our small world and construction toys are changed regularly to capture the children's interests or extend the learning in the theme of the week. Throughout the morning we organise different singing, stories, music and movement sessions the children can participate in should they want to.
We have a safe enclosed outside area with soft play surface for all year round activities.
Snack time starts about 10am we normal call the youngest children first and the older ones a little later. Children bring their own healthy snack and each table has a member or staff with them to help the children and to encourage this to be a social interactive period.
Towards the end of the morning's activities we encourage the children to help tidy up, especially the floor activities this helps with their understanding and taking ownership of their surroundings in the setting.
Children who stay for lunch bring in their packed lunch which is eaten as a whole group, this starts at 11.45am. This is a very popular and social event. (Many parents have found that this really helps the children when they start school.) We encourage parents to provide a healthy balanced lunch with fruit and veg where possible and refrain from chocolate, sweets and sugary drinks. To ensure the children's food stays at the appropriate temperature, we recommend that cool packs are used in the lunch boxes. The following sites give good advice and tips on preparing a toddlers packed lunch: www.enjoyhealthyeating.info/nutrition/children-aged-1-5-years/packed-lunches, www.healthylunch.org.uk, www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes, www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/school-packed-lunch-inspiration.
In the afternoons the children are given the option to continue to play with the mornings toys or choose a new selection of toys, the get further opportunities to take part in group games and activities.
When it comes to home time the children are encouraged to learn how to put on their own coats, collect their water bottles and parents are welcomed into the setting to collect bags etc. Staff are available at the end of every session if parents wish to chat.
If any children have any wow moments from home to share we call the children together to celebrate each others achievements at the beginning of the session. We also have a at home wall which we use to display photos parents have sent in of things children have been doing at home to help children see links between home and pre-school life. Children are reminded that their water bottle is available at all times in their basket and encouraged to drink throughout the day, this will be refilled if necessary. (Each bottle must have your child's name on so they can clearly see which is theirs.) The children will not be given juice during the session however they can bring another drink to have with their packed lunch only.
During the morning we provide a wide range of activities for the children to enjoy. Toys and activities are set out with the children in mind, activities are planned for specific groups of children on each day. We have a separate caterpillar area for the younger children if they need a bit of quiet space to be away from the hustle and bustle in the main play area.
In the activity centre area there are crafts, exploratory play or games where the children can make, paint and create their own masterpieces or participate in a focused small group activities these are different every day and staff take it in turns to plan activities their key children will enjoy. Within the free play area there is always puzzles, malleable play, quite book area and a mark making table available.
The children's imaginations can run riot in our role play area which is changed each week with home corner, doctors, shop etc. and our small world and construction toys are changed regularly to capture the children's interests or extend the learning in the theme of the week. Throughout the morning we organise different singing, stories, music and movement sessions the children can participate in should they want to.
We have a safe enclosed outside area with soft play surface for all year round activities.
Snack time starts about 10am we normal call the youngest children first and the older ones a little later. Children bring their own healthy snack and each table has a member or staff with them to help the children and to encourage this to be a social interactive period.
Towards the end of the morning's activities we encourage the children to help tidy up, especially the floor activities this helps with their understanding and taking ownership of their surroundings in the setting.
Children who stay for lunch bring in their packed lunch which is eaten as a whole group, this starts at 11.45am. This is a very popular and social event. (Many parents have found that this really helps the children when they start school.) We encourage parents to provide a healthy balanced lunch with fruit and veg where possible and refrain from chocolate, sweets and sugary drinks. To ensure the children's food stays at the appropriate temperature, we recommend that cool packs are used in the lunch boxes. The following sites give good advice and tips on preparing a toddlers packed lunch: www.enjoyhealthyeating.info/nutrition/children-aged-1-5-years/packed-lunches, www.healthylunch.org.uk, www.nhs.uk/change4life/recipes/healthier-lunchboxes, www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/school-packed-lunch-inspiration.
In the afternoons the children are given the option to continue to play with the mornings toys or choose a new selection of toys, the get further opportunities to take part in group games and activities.
When it comes to home time the children are encouraged to learn how to put on their own coats, collect their water bottles and parents are welcomed into the setting to collect bags etc. Staff are available at the end of every session if parents wish to chat.