Please hover on the bullet points if you would like to learn more about our key concepts.
Broadway Playschool URC hall -2-3 YR OLD SETTING
This is where a 2 year old can deal with separation from their mum, dad or carer with sensitive support from well trained and experienced staff with a 1:4 ratio.
Learning about sharingIn this group we provide enough of the same toys so that sharing isn't an issue but something children can learn how to do when they are ready.
Feeling secureThe staff set up the environment to be safe and as much as possible familiar – so we try not to have any sudden changes while children learn to feel secure.
The Visual TimetableThe learning through play activities are complemented by a routine that is supported by photos (or a visual timetable). This helps children to see when snack time is and when parents/carers come back.
The Learning JourneyFeeling emotionally secure is essential to effective learning and is one of the key goals of this small exclusive group. The children have a key person who reports back to Tracy Betley. The observations are the beginning of their Playschool learning journey – a record that belongs to the child and their family, and can be accessed or contributed to at any time.
Towerview playschool (3-5 yr old setting)
This is where our 3-5 year olds can learn to interact with a bigger group and begin to get ready for school
The Transfer ProcessWhen the child is ready to move into the bigger group (which can have up to 24 children with 1: 6 ratio) a transfer record is completed which helps all the staff understand the child’s needs and preferences. The child will be monitored in the first few weeks and if they show a preference for one member of staff they will become their key person.
Individual DevelopmentAll the staff make observations of the children at play. These observations are used in discussion to support individual development. Each child has an individual education plan, a copy of which is sent home each term, and families are invited to comment, or share their insights into the child’s progress. We encourage families to make a photo book that shows the child at home with their family for use in the setting.
The Play EnvironmentThe children and staff learn together as they play and explore different objects and activities. The environment at Towerview is changed around in response to the children and it becomes very much their own space. We have a quiet tent for resting, away from the hustle and bustle, a book corner for taking time out with a book. Also there are messy play areas, small and large construction, role play, ICT and mark making areas. We often have a cooking time and make bread, biscuits, and smoothies.
Flexible Snack BarThe flexible snack bar starts with the children helping to clean the area and prepare the fruit and vegetables.
Free Flow PlayWe have continual free flow play throughout the day with access to toys and equipment of their choice or interest. This encourages independence and enables children to develop their interests and consolidate their learning. We also have open doors to the outside for most of the year so that children can play inside or out as they please. We put out a selection of activities to start the children off, but they are free to select other toys to satisfy their interests.
Playschool RulesWith the children we develop playschool rules. These are rules used to support the children to interact with words rather than physically.
Accommodating different stages abilities and needsAs all our children are at different stages of development some children may naturally struggle to use words and need more support. The children learn to tell a member of staff if they find another child difficult and in this way we support the children to deal with disputes and help one another learn how to behave acceptably in a group situation. The staff use positive reinforcement to encourage and reward acceptable behaviour. We encourage children to articulate their needs, to have the confidence to speak up in a group and to problem solve issues or disputes. A child with a speech delay will be supported at their level using single words and visuals to help them achieve this goal. Every child has the right to access the playschool and we will use every strategy possible to ensure this is possible. In order to do this we liaise with the health visitors, schools, can get support from the local Authority Special Educational needs team and Children Centre Family support workers.Mark making equipment is to hand and children can help themselves and select what they need.
Physical ActivitiesThere are opportunities to run about and stretch and test their physical abilities,. Thanks to the generosity of the school we can use the school field to run and blow the cob webs away !! We have bike time with plenty of bikes for the children to choose from, scooters, sit and push bikes and of course, ones with pedals ! There is also PE equipment such as stilts, hoops and balancing stones.
The Outdoor AreaThis is equipped with natural open ended materials which the children can adapt and use to make different play opportunites. There are crates, sheets, ropes pulleys logs planks baskets and balls. These can provide problem solving activities learning to work together.
Circle Time Twice a day we all come together for a maximum of 30 minutes, this can be to do Yoga, learn German songs and rhymes to help with language awareness and to keep their brains pliable and able to learn different languages, sing songs, use jolly phonics to develop their phonic knowledge, show and tell, or to have a story from a book or a story sack.
Forest School This runs 3 times a week, in all weathers, in either of the two 2 two sites, which we share with the school. (see separate Forest school section)
Transition info – how we get them ready for their schoolWe prepare the children by using role play. They have the opportunity to try on school uniform and PE pumps as well as learning to take shoes on and off. We show them how to open lunch boxes, and how to ask for help if they need it. A visit to the school allows them to meet teachers, try a real school lunch and go into the hall to get used to its echoey space.