Our pre-school room has an inviting and friendly atmosphere which is filled with fun and adventure and has access to the main garden. Pre-school room caters for 65 children with an adult ratio of 1:8.
Pre-school staff encourage independence and confidence, so that the children have the skill and assurance to take with them to school. The children are encouraged to sit at group time activities, story time and par-take in self registration. We follow a routine which is set to allow each child to choose their own activities and develop at their own speed, we recognise that children learn in different ways and provide a wide selection of activities to promote this way of learning.
There are toilets located off the main room, enabling children to take themselves off to the bathroom but still have a staff member close by to support with accidents and general care. Staff encourage children to use the equipment provided i.e. steps to the toilets so that they become more independent during their time in this room, ready for the transfer to school. The classroom has access to the garden area, allowing the children free flow environment for indoor and outdoor play, at certain points during the day.
Within our pre-school we have two-year groups. This is important for both age groups to be able to have space to be with peers that they will go to school with and for children who miss the year, to be able to recognise their friends when they go to school. We have allocated times throughout the day where the children will go into their year groups and do a little more preparation for school. In the groups the children’s key persons will develop their independence and manners towards their peers.
What we encourage the children to be able to:
- Support the children to be able to get dressed independently put their coats on
- Go to the bathroom and wash their hands,
- Things like good table manners
- Being kind to our friends.
What we are proud of
We are always really proud when a lot of our local primary reception teachers say to us, that they can recognise a Little Steps child because they are well- mannered and independent, so we are very proud when they say that to us.
How we teach at Little steps
We very much follow the lead of a child at Little Steps, we believe that if children have an interest and we identify that by close observations, to use this to promote the children’s learning and development.
- We provide a role play area that changes on a regular basis to encourage the children to play and act as various characters and in various situations.
- In our maths area, we have a variety of tools and apparatus, that will lead to learning and discussion. These include tape measures, shapes, counting blocks, calculators, rulers, plus many more.
- We have a range of creative equipment, sand, water, arts and crafts and messy play, which all children are free to access throughout the day.
- We have an interactive computer table in the room, so the children can have planned time to develop their IT skills, using a range of software and programmes specifically catering to their abilities. We also provide programmable toys for children to play with and experiment with during their day.
- We have a designated mark making area, where the children can put meaning to marks, through drawing, writing their name or letters. This table incorporates the use of stencils, pens, pencils, and a variety of other mark making tools. They have access to this table throughout the whole day encouraging them to develop their own abilities at their own pace. Mark making is also carried out in other areas around the room including the sand tray and role play areas.
- Construction area, all children, have easy access to the toys on offer. They can build, balance, design and create mini masterpieces. There activities support their gross and fine motor skills, incorporate mathematics and speech and language to aid in all round development.
- We have a cosy area, for the children to relax, take time out, socialise with their friends or read a book. There is child soft seating in this area, cushions, bean bags and quiet relaxing music. At rest times, we provide age appropriate beds, for the children, that still require a sleep, so that they can rest in comfort.
- Children can access the garden throughout the day and ensure it is at least once in the morning and afternoon. We provide a range of equipment from scooters, bikes, role play and messy play area for the children to enjoy.