Nursery Handbook Part 2
Below is an online version of our Nursery Handbook, including useful information on the day to day running of the Nursery along with highlights of Nursery Policies and the curriculum.
See Also.....
CURRICULUM- Clar-Oideachaidh
It could be said that the whole of a young child's experiences - everything they say, feel, smell, touch, hear or taste - make up a curriculum. Children are making sense of the world around them by;
* Using their senses to explore and discover
* Relating new experiences to previous learning
* Sharing their experiences with others
The vital contribution of pre-school education lies in developing and broadening the range of children's learning experiences to leave them confident, eager and enthusiastic learners looking forward to starting school. Much of the learning will be through play where children are offered a choice of activities each with an underlying purpose.
Key aspects of the child's development and learning as described in 3-5 curriculum and ‘The Child at the Centre’ are:
Communication and language:
* Developing children's confidence in talking
* Developing children's listening skills
* Exploring different uses of language
* Developing children's early reading and writing skills
Knowledge and understanding of the world:
* Developing children's early maths knowledge
* Developing children's understanding of the past as well as the present
* Developing children's understanding of their environment and the people in it
* Introducing children to basic science and develop their investigation skills
Expressive and aesthetic experiences:
* Encouraging expression through imaginative play
* Providing opportunities for children to explore and express themselves through a variety of art and craft techniques
* Encouraging children to express themselves through music
Physical development and movement:
* Developing children's large physical skills
* improving children's hand-eye co-ordination and their fine motor skills
Emotional, personal and social development:
* Developing children's confidence and a sense of self-worth
* Encouraging children to respect others
* Helping children learn to take care of themselves
* Helping children to build relationships with others
* Encouraging children to play co-operatively
A wide range of activities will be offered to the children ranging from:
* Sand and water play
* Baking and cooking
* Play dough
* Painting and junk modelling
* Cutting and gluing
* Jigsaws and board games
* Construction toys eg Duplo, Lego etc
* Imaginative play
* Story telling
* Elementary computer work
* Educational Computer Games
Children will also be given opportunities to:
* Sing and take part in musical activities
* Take part in daily energetic play
* Listen to stories/learn rhymes and poems
* Visit their local environment
* Take part in swimming sessions
* Care for plants and animals
* Meet visitors to the school eg Policemen - Health Visitor - Entertainers etc
Although we have a basic structure to and plan for each Nursery session, how the day progresses will be flexible and child led. Children learn best when they follow their interests
Start of Session
The nursery session starts with free play activities. The children are encouraged to choose their own activity at this time and to talk about what they are experiencing with staff, who are trained to develop learning through play.
Constantly available - sand, water, paint, home corner, books manipulative skill areas.
Daily variations - baking, finger painting, printing, junk modelling, construction, craft activities, computing. Children are encouraged to choose their own activities.
Mid Session
Tidying up is a very important social and group training exercise to conclude the free activity session. As often as possible children will have access to the gym hall where they can take part in ring games and more energetic activities. When weather permits outdoor play is exercised. This will be followed by a routine of hand washing before snack time. Snack time will be taken as a group. Children will be encouraged to help with preparation of snack and as Mallaig Primary School has gained Health Promoting School Status, we endeavour to provide healthy options, offering fresh fruit/vegetables at each serving. Following snack the children are encouraged to brush their teeth. A new toothbrush is provided for each child for their individual use.
A group activity is next. This might include music and movement, singing and singing games, percussion, drama, story, a video/TV programme or visits out of the school.
End of Session
The quieter activities of smaller manipulative skills and the story corner will round off the session.
OUTLINE STRUCTURE OF A SESSION- Structar
