In our “preschool” space we host 25 children per day using a ratio of 1:5, in comparison to the national requirement of 1:8. This provides us with the opportunity to thoroughly prepare our children for the next step in their journey for school and enhance learning to support the creation of the “thinkers” and "doers” of the future.

We access the local community, as well as take trips frequently in further reach using local transport links as part of our everyday curriculum. Children flourish from our enriched curriculum in which embeds many opportunities and experiences for the children to learn from first hand in “real life” environments, entwining with our hygge approach and the link to being at peace with nature. First hand learning experiences range from Gruffalo hunts at the forest to picnics at the beach on a warm summer’s day to fire station visits!

Making memories within extra special moments for the children to enjoy embeds children to develop a natural passion and love for learning whilst equally teaching them about togetherness and enjoying the simple things in life.

Children are still learning through play at this stage of the curriculum, and we understand the importance of the adult enabling the environment to provide activities in which stimulate learning whilst children are simply playing. We have a large range of resources within the setting, bringing to life children’s interests through adults setting out interesting and intriguing activities based around children’s next steps in learning and the combination of children’s interests. For example:

The children are interested in cars, and they are working on next steps around numbers - recognising them and starting with simple maths. This activity provides learning opportunities via play which was set up by an adult with thorough understanding.

We have embedded some “Maria Montessori” elements into our everyday routine. This starts with our daily routine where the children enjoy being responsible for their environment; children help serve their own food at mealtimes, support with cleaning with sponges, brooms, and dustpans and take pride in preparing snacks for their peers. We have a shelf set out with 8 activities on which staff change up on a regular basis to keep children interested. Each activity is set out in each shelf on a tray; all the resources are on a tray, so children are taught to take the tray, complete the activity and when they are done to return it as they found it. Children taking pride and enthusiasm in daily routines foster skills in many areas such as respect, responsibility, teamwork and self-confidence.

We celebrate every unique child and include a wide range of multicultural festivals into our planning through the year, to support children with equality and diversity – knowing that every single person is important regardless of similarities and differences. Teaching the children about differences around the world and within our classroom encourages children to build a positive outlook on the world and the people in it – teaching them how essential it is to learn from one another and be open minded to various cultures and traditions.

**Please note that we only offer full time care and do not offer term time spaces in our preschool**