Learning Fun
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Communication, Language and Literacy
Conversation develops vocabulary. Every child is encouraged to talk about themselves, their experiences at the nursery and at home, and about life as they see it. They learn to listen to other children's views and experiences. They learn to ask questions and listen to answers.
Our book corner has a collection of colourful, well-illustrated and well-written books, which attract children to explore the written word. They enjoy having stories read to them individually and in groups and will concentrate during 'quiet time reading', browsing through the collection, looking at the pictures and hunting out their favourites. A child who has listened to stories with pleasure will quickly move on to become an independent reader.
Rhymes and songs are a repetitive fun way to learn about word structure, cadence and phonics. Children are encouraged to make up their own verses which show great understanding of how sounds are put together to formulate words. research has indicated that children who have lots of early experience of rhymes become independent readers sooner.
All children's marks are valued. From the earliest 'scribble' they are asked about the meaning of what they have written and are encouraged to develop good habits of pencil control through pictures, pattern-making and tracing.
Role-play is used to develop writing for meaning and the children make shopping lists, write letters which they then post, or produce railway tickets.
They see the staff writing every day and are encouraged to make the connections between the graphics and their own knowledge of how words work
Maths
Number pervades everything we do, from the beat of music to the celebration of a birthday. It features in our art and our role-play. We have sorting games, counting games, sequencing and matching activities. Displayed on the walls are the number symbols illustrated with familiar objects and these are used in incidental opportunities to develop numeracy.
Shapes are also around us and there are many games which help children grasp the names and properties of 2D and 3D shapes.
Measurement is perhaps best approached through cookery which regulary features in our week. What happens if we put too much water in dough? We measure each other, compare sizes and are amazed by the growth of a runner bean shoot.
Remember that a parrot can be taught to count, but has no understanding of those numbers. It is this understanding that is vital to a child's mathematical development.
The World Around Us
Surrounded by beautiful countryside it is easy for the children to explore and learn about living things. They can feed tadpoles and record their progress, handle ducklings and discover the need for gentleness, at all times they are encouraged to question what they see, hear, feel and smell.
These experiences are backed up by a range of books and pictures as well as recording what they do in their art work.
Most children have innate curiosity about how things work. At Rainbow Nursery these questions are often answered through 'doing things', making models, balancing teddies or washing dolls' clothes.
The children are helped to develop a sense of place and time through their interactions with their immediate world. We celebrate the birth of a baby sister or welcome a grandfather into the nursery to tell us about his childhood. Many discussions take place about where children have been on holiday to find out about the climates and different cultures, means of travel and length of time it took to get there. We recreate these experiences in the 'Home Corner' to extend and develop children's understanding of the world around them.
Personal, Social and
Emotional
Development
At Rainbow Nursery we encourage children to become confident, show appropriate self-respect and the ability to establish effective relationships with other children and adults. The children work as part of a group and independently, and are able to concentrate in their learning and seek help where needed. Encouragement is given to explore new learning and show the ability to initiate ideas, solve simple practical problems and demonstrate independence in selecting an activity or resources and in dressing and personal hygiene.
Children are sensitive to the needs and feelings of others and show respect for people of other cultures and beliefs. They take turns and share fairly.
They express their feelings and behave in appropriate ways, developing an understanding of what is right, what is wrong and why. They treat living things properly and their environment with care and concern. They respond to relevant culture and religious events and show a range of feelings, such as wonder, joy or sorrow, in response to their experiences of the world.
Physical Development
Children are encouraged to develop body control and co-ordination through activities inside the nursery such as Dance (Ballet lessons available - details on request), Swimming (Lessons available - details on request) and Gymnastics. Whilst outside in the fresh air they can run, jump, play ball games and refine and improve upon their climbing skills.
They use a range of small and large equipment and handle appropriate tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.
Creative Development
Every half term we decide upon a theme for the children to involve themselves in, most activities will link to that theme. Each child uses his or her own imagination to develop, explore and understand the different strands of a theme and create something that is exclusive to that child alone. This may result in a weaving, a sculpture or a piece of movement or music-making, but each 'work of art' is appreciated and displayed whenever possible for others to admire. The children are encouraged to think about the design of their work and to solve problems, such as 'how shall I fit this together, what shall I use?'
There is always opportunity for children to express themselves through painting with an easel set up for each session and we watch with wonder as children develop a sense of form, shape and colour.
Singing and music sessions take place daily with a range of instruments, and children are encouraged to respond through movement to a wide variety of music and stories.