Our team of professional staff provides an exciting and secure learning environment for
the children to develop individual strengths and for talents and abilities to unfold. Both Nursery and Reception are led by qualified teachers and ably supported by our Nursery Nurses.
Learning begins with immersion in an environment in which the skills are being used in purposeful ways. Current Department of Education guidelines define "Early Learning Goals" in six areas of the curriculum. These goals apply to all children under the age of 5, they are:
- Language and Literacy.
- Mathematical Development.
- Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
- Creative Development.
- Physical Development.
At Brabyns the children explore each of these areas every day through structured activities and purposeful play.
Physical Development plays and important role and the children regularly participate in the schools’ ‘Fit for Learning’ programme alongside the physical development lessons. Our specialist Music teacher teaches the children music in addition to the daily Musical activities led by the teachers. We develop our pupils' reasoning and analytical skills from an early age through investigational activities.
We attach great importance to the development of social skills and encourage children to share, play co-operatively and to display good manners and consideration for others. Individual assessments are carried out regularly. Parents receive, twice yearly, written reports showing their children's progress.
Nursery, 2 ½ to 4 years
The curriculum for the Early Years underpins all future education, by supporting, fostering and developing the child's personal, social and emotional well being and promoting positive attitudes to learning.
A purpose built Nursery was completed in September 1999. This unit comprises two bright, modern rooms with self-contained toilets and wash basins and direct access to the hall, dining room and outdoor play area. The rooms are newly equipped to stimulate opportunities for social play and the development of physical skills.
Children are introduced to quiet reflective activities to encourage their social, cognitive and manipulative abilities. These include matching and sorting, colour, number and letter recognition and listening to poetry, rhymes and stories. Through structured sand and water play, role-play and constructive and creative activities children are prepared for the more formal learning they will experience in Reception.
Physical development is promoted including the use of gymnastic apparatus and games equipment. Nursery have their own safe play area and also use the school hall, main playground and the school garden.
Familiarisation sessions with the early years staff enable us to establish the child's stage of development on entry to Nursery.
Nursery Inspection
The following extract from our last Nursery Inspection Report gives a flavour of the wide range of stimulating activities we offer.
"The language and literacy programme is very good and provides many opportunities for the children to develop their communication skills and increase their reading and writing skills. The mathematics programme is another very strong area which provides a wide range of practical experiences through which children develop their mathematical knowledge and skills."
Reception, 4 to 5 years
On entry to the Reception class each child is given a Baseline Assessment. This gives staff a picture of the child's present level of achievement and allows us to measure progress and plan their future learning. From the age of five we make use of the National Curriculum for planning and assessment, extending this programme where appropriate.
Reception is a natural progression from the Nursery. Staff will already know a great deal about each child and the curriculum reflects the rapid cognitive development that takes place at this age. The foundations of reading, writing and number are established at an appropriate pace for each child under the guidance of the Reception teacher.
The sound foundation established in Nursery in all aspects of the curriculum is consolidated in Reception and children are prepared for their entry to the Infants in readiness for a more formal approach. To ease the transition to main school there is an increasing emphasis on numeracy and literacy and further opportunities to participate in whole school activities.
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