Our youngest children in the Nursery are supported by highly qualified and experienced Early Years teachers and teaching assistants. We follow the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, providing a balance of learning opportunities for children from two to four years old.
We recognise the importance of working in partnership with parents, and we value the opportunity to build close relationships with families from their earliest experiences in our toddler group, Fun Fridays. Our gentle, child-led settling in process supports both the child and the parents as we welcome each child into the Nursery.
The teaching framework for two and three year old children is built around the Prime Areas of the Foundation Stage, which are
- Physical Development
- Communication and Language Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
The beautiful outdoor spaces at Skippers, and our carefully curated classroom environments encourage the children to explore, experiment, and follow their own individual interests. As the children grow and demonstrate their readiness, the teaching focus broadens to include
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Both of the Nursery classrooms provide a language-rich environment, with an ever-changing selection of printed materials which reflect the children’s interests. Our daily routines provide many opportunities for the teachers to introduce mathematical concepts in a practical way. Each room is equipped with interactive touch screens to support early phonics and maths teaching, which takes place individually and in small groups. We spend a great deal of time outdoors in the woodland and fields, experiencing the changing seasons and landscape for ourselves. We enjoy and encourage creative depression through art, music, dance and drama.
This brief description can only convey a snapshot of the experiences offered to our children. Please come and see us, and enjoy the purposeful and joyful ambiance for yourself!