Nursery Pedagogy

By using the development matters and EYFS guidelines we have created our own strategy which is based around the idea that learning is strengthened through repetition and application. By repeating activities, we are cementing the knowledge and skills that we would like the children to learn. Children’s development is monitored through use of a tapestry online journal where we can log children’s strengths and weaknesses. Each child’s key worker will write 2 short reports per term using their own knowledge about the children (their abilities and their interests) to create achievable, yet aspiring targets. To be able to monitor these targets we use the Leuven scale approach where we monitor the children’s engagement and well-being levels to ensure they are learning organically yet effectively. Throughout their learning journeys we present opportunities for summer born children particularly boys, to ensure that they have the skills and understanding to be ready for school. 

The baby room ethos is based around the idea that the prime area of learning are paramount in the early months of life. To ensure the babies are achieving these important milestones, the baby room staff have introduced a ‘baby brain gym’ and a ‘Sing and rhyme time’ session twice a week. They also use simple sign language to help babies to be able to express their wants and needs and encourage them to use basic language. We aim for the babies to understand and be able to use the mathematical language 1-3 to commence their understanding and application of number.  

The toddler room ethos carries over all the elements of the baby room but creates more structured learning experiences. The toddler room focus on cementing the children’s understanding and application of number to 5. The expansion of the signing program helps toddlers to begin to understand their emotions together with new spoken vocabulary.

We use a ‘Special book’ where toddlers learn through repeat and application. Meaningful new words are introduced into their everyday play with an emphasis on sounds. Syllables allow the children to hear the full pronunciation of new words. Props help toddlers understand the concept of the book producing a language rich environment. 

As children progress into the pre-school room the learning is much more structured. The children participate in small groups twice a day. In the morning sessions the children follow a ‘letters and sounds’ curriculum and the afternoon they focus on mathematics. We feel it is important for children to create a strong understanding of basic mathematical concepts of numbers 0 to 10. They will learn what each number represents, where each number is placed in order, one less than, one more than and all number blending to 10. With these vital concepts of number, 11 to infinity will be a natural progression with a higher degree of comprehension. 

Pre-school children focus on various immersive stories which are chosen from the children’s interests. The rich learning environment stimulates imagination which supports expansive vocabulary and literacy experiences as the children play. Each Immersive story provides opportunity for children to repeatedly practice what they have learnt.

The use of artists such as Vicent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollack help children learn different artistic techniques and gain knowledge of the art world. 

The children learn from their outside communities by regular experiences outside the nursery environment. These include ‘Woodland Adventures’, swimming lessons, visits to local businesses and everyday hustle and bustle of our daily lives.