How do children learn in the Nursery?

In Nursery, the children learn through structured play.  All the activities in the nursery are planned to give the children opportunities to learn different skills and to discover more about the world. An adult leads some of the play and some is designed for the children to explore independently alongside other children.

 

What are the children learning?

The Foundation Stage

The foundation stage covers ages 3-5, up until the end of the Reception Year.  The curriculum is organised into six areas of learning and we cover the Early Learning Goals.

 

We plan experiences and activities, which respond to this.

 

The areas are:

 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Often when children come into the nursery they find it hard to be left and difficult to share with other children. In nursery we help the children to develop independence (taking themselves to toilet, tidying up) and to feel settled and secure in their new group.  Many of the activities are designed to help children play alongside others happily and co-operatively, perhaps building a tower with bricks, or sharing the train set.

 

 

Physical Development

In nursery children are helped to develop their physical co-ordination.  They will be given activities to develop their fine motor skills like threading, tracing, cutting, playdoh, handling small toys and puzzle pieces.  They will also enhance their gross motor skills by having opportunities to run, jump, slide and ride in the playground using the apparatus.  The children also have the opportunity to develop movement and games skills in the hall.

 

Mathematical Development

In nursery children begin to learn to count to 20 and back from 10 by learning a variety of number rhymes.  They will also recognise 2D shapes and learn about position and language (on top of, underneath, etc).  They also begin to learn about measuring, weighing and capacity.  Children are encouraged to use counting in their play (for example, counting the bricks in their towers).  Sand and water play, puzzles, threading numbers, making patterns all help children to learn the first skills of mathematics.

 

Communication, Language and Literacy

At this early stage of their education, children are encouraged to develop their vocabulary by class discussion and orals.  A number of activities are set up to help children talk as they play. Children may be invited to play with a puppet or set up a picnic or a birthday party for the soft toys in the carpet area.  Early skills in reading and writing begin with the child’s own name which is displayed in many places in the nursery.  Children are taught that making marks on paper (sand, plasticine clay) is fun as they use a number of different mark making tools.

 

Children are exposed to many well known stories and enjoy books.  There is a regular story time and a book corner for their independent reading.  Children will also become phonologically aware and start learning letter sounds using the jolly phonics scheme.

 

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Young children are interested in the world around them.  In nursery they are helped to find out about their environment and learn to describe what they see.  All sorts of activities in nursery encourage children to look and ask questions. The children are given the opportunity to use their senses and explore different textures, learn about living things and follow instructions when baking.  Children participate in cooking activities once every 3 weeks. 

 

 

Creative Development

Children are helped to explore different ways of using and expressing their imaginations.  Children will paint and do Design & Technology activity on a weekly basis.  Children have the opportunity to explore different art techniques such as collage or printing.  Once a week the group have a musical session and the children learn and sing simple songs and rhymes and play musical instruments.  The children have the opportunity to try out movement and dance in the hall.  The children will be able to engage in imaginative play in the home corner which is changed according to topic.

 

Special Educational Needs Policy

We work very closely with parents, carers and outside agencies who are involved with children who have Special Educational Needs.  We follow the National Code of Practice and plan carefully stepping programmes to ensure that each child is given the best possible chance of developing his/her potential.

 

Equal Opportunities

We acknowledge and have an active commitment towards each child’s right to equal access to broad and balanced curriculum regardless of gender, ability, race, etc.  We do our best to meet the needs of each child.