Learning
Children learn through play, through a balance of adult-led and child initiated activities.
At Harden pre-school we support children during their play and offer them ideas and challenge to extend their learning and development. We observe children closely, get to know their interests, and track their achievements.
This allows us to plan for future learning, and to identify any gaps in children's progress that need further support.
We encourage parents to be as involved in their children's learning as possible as this promotes consistent development between pre-school and home.
Benefits to your child
The Pre-School environment provides a number of benefits to your child:
- Improves confidence and social skills.
- Helps your child to develop relationships with peers and adults.
- Children learn how to be part of a group.
- Our close links with the local village Primary school supports smooth transition to school.
- Your child develops in key learning areas through play.
- The curriculum is divided into 7 areas of learning, 3 of which are prime areas and 4 are specific areas as follows.
Communication & Language
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Staff use visual aids and signs to promote language development.
Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out of doors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing whilst talking through and managing their own risks when they are old enough. At the same time, children are helped to develop the fine motor skills they will need to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision. They are also encouraged to develop awareness of their own bodies and of what keeps them healthy through sticky kids, parachute games and other fun activities
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.
Literacy
Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A well-stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.
Mathematics
By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis for early mathematics. As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Numerals are displayed throughout the Pre-school and children are encouraged to look for shapes within the environment. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.
Understanding the World
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to observe and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to recognise differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment. We pick blackberries to make a crumble and watch the progress and life cycle of a caterpillar to a butterfly. They learn to respect other people, and expect to be respected for themselves. A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems. Our in house pet Maurice the giant land snail provides the children with the experience of caring for a pet, feeding him, cleaning him out and handling him. Children also have opportunities to care for Maurice at home during the holidays.
Expressive Arts & Design
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provide for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role play, both individually and as part of a group.
Special Education & Additional Needs
We aim to provide equality of opportunity for all members of our group, and this includes children with special educational needs. The number of adults present in the pre-school enables us to provide individual attention for each child. Each child is able to progress at his/her own rate in all areas of development, and this is true for children with and without disabilities or learning difficulties. We are experienced in working in close liaison with professionals across the range of special needs, and we operate in accordance with the government's Code of Practice on special educational needs. If you would like to discuss the group's ability to meet your own child's needs, please talk to our Leader or your child's key person.