My Little House - My Place To Learn

On your child’s first day you will be greeted by the staff and you can take your child in and settle them. A member of staff will greet your child warmly, speaking reassuringly to them while encouraging them to take part in the activities provided.

Throughout the day you can phone us to find out how your child is settling, however if your child is upset and distressed, we will contact you. At the end of their first day a member of staff will give you feedback and discuss with you what activities they have participated in throughout the day, what they have eaten, nappy changes/toileting and sleep. Again, this is a good opportunity to ask any questions.

• Universal funding accepted. See funding information
• Extended funding accepted. See funding information
• Additional Cost – £7.50 per session, either 9am-12pm or 1-4pm. Please see timetable for exact details.
• If your child is attending a full day, i.e. 9am-4pm, there is a charge of £12 for 12-1pm which is inclusive of lunch.
• Wrap around care is offered in the main building before 9am and after 4pm. See funding information.
• All snacks and drink are included in your session price. We ask that you provide a spare change of clothes in case of any little accidents, a pair of indoor shoes or slippers and appropriate outdoor wear in the Little Forest.
• Weekly planning is completed by the staff caring for your child ensuring that a variety of activities are provided which cover all areas of learning and development.  By knowing the children in our care very well we are able to plan activities that we know they will enjoy which in turn will help them reach their developmental milestones.
• Please ensure that all forms are completed prior to their first session attending which will provide us with information that will ensure that we can plan for your child’s individual needs and preferences and make the transition between home and nursery easier.
• Your child will have a ‘Key Person’ who will create a ‘Learning Journey’ which contains observations and photos to show what your child has been doing whilst in our care.  This will move through the nursery throughout their time here and once they have reached school age is yours to keep as a memento of your child’s first five years. The Learning Journey’ is kept in their individual box for you to view at any time this will be unique to them and contains observations, artwork and termly evaluations which details the progress of their development.
• Advice on topics such as activities, behaviour, school transitions can be sought from any of our qualified, experienced staff.

Our preschool group is run by fully qualified, experienced staff. They are chosen for their dedication and understanding of this age group and work hard to develop your child’s independence, confidence and knowledge in preparation for their transition into school. This age group will love the new experiences that the nursery has to offer. They are encouraged to explore their surroundings and develop their social interactions through a wide variety of activities. Daily activities are planned weekly using the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to cater for each individual’s needs and interests and to ensure that a broad range of learning opportunities for the development of all areas of learning. Our Preschool staff are always available for advice and support for every step of your child’s developmental journey.

Daily activities are planned weekly using the children’s interests and next steps as a basis, alongside the Montessori ethos, to ensure that a broad range of learning opportunities for the development of all areas of learning.

Activities are set out in an inviting way and children have access to other toys and materials so they can extend their play and develop their interests. Through play your child will be introduced to colours, shapes, sorting, counting and hand control.

The outside area is used as an extension of the inside and many activities are used outside such as the dressing up, role play and small world. The children have a large climbing frame, sand pit and playhouse as well as an area for gardening. Activities such as ball games, obstacle courses and race are planned to develop gross motor skills.

We offer our own Little Forest for outside learning. It provides children with an innovative educational approach to outdoor Montessori learning. The aim is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment each participant has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, sound emotional and social skills. These, through self-awareness can be developed to reach personal potential.

Throughout the day staff supervise and interact with the children; promoting their learning and development whilst encouraging their independence and individual thoughts, ideas and opinions.

We believe that children benefit most from early years education and care when parents and settings work together in partnership. Our aim is to support you as their child’s primary carers by involving you in the care and education of your child.

As a setting we ensure ongoing dialogue with you to improve our knowledge of the needs of your child and to support you as a family, we encourage you to speak with your child’s key person regularly to discuss any changes in routine, concerns or any exciting new things your child is doing.

The Purpose of Sensorial Work – The purpose and aim of Sensorial work is for the child to acquire clear, conscious, information and to be able to then make classifications in his environment. Montessori believed that sensorial experiences began at birth. Through his senses, the child studies his environment. Through this study, the child then begins to understand his environment. The child, to Montessori, is a “sensorial explorer”.

Through work with the sensorial materials, the child is given the keys to classifying the things around him, which leads to the child making his own experiences in his environment. Through the classification, the child is also offered the first steps in organizing his intelligence, which then leads to his adapting to his environment.

Sensorial materials were designed by Doctor Maria Montessori to help children express and classify their sensory experiences. The purpose of sensorial activities is to aid in the development of the intellectual senses of the child, which develops the ability to observe and compare with precision. There are sensorial materials that focus on visual perception, tactile impressions, auditory sense, and olfactory and taste perceptions. Activities often include matching and grading materials that isolate the sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

Mathematical concepts are introduced to the child using concrete sensorial materials. Initial explorations with sensorial materials encourage children to understand basic maths concepts such as learning number recognition, counting and sequencing of numbers. Sensorial work prepares the child for a more formal introduction to mathematics, and the introduction of abstract mathematical concepts such as the decimal system and mathematical operations.

Language materials are designed to enhance vocabulary and explore both written and spoken language. Through language-based activities, such as the sandpaper letters and the moveable alphabet, children learn phonetic sounds and how to compose words phonetically. They progress using concrete materials to compose their own written work, read the work of others, and learn to communicate their unique thoughts and feelings.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World continued access to activities and aspects linked to the Montessori curriculum of developing the senses and embracing other cultures, children will

• Find many activities to develop their senses and to find out about materials
• Have many opportunities to observe and investigate nature
• Find ample opportunities to construct and design
• Will gain an in-depth understanding of life on planet earth through hands-on activities about continents, elements, solar system, etc.
• Learn about different cultures and beliefs through artefacts, stories, games, music, dressing up clothes and in role play scenarios
• Take part in activities to care for the environment
• Are introduced to a wide range of science activities
• Learn about their local area
• Learn how to use information technology sensibly
• Build a sense of connection to all human beings, and gain a sense of cosmic community

Cultural activities lead the child to experience music, stories, artwork and items from the child’s community, society and cultural background.

The areas of geography, science, zoology and botany are all included in this area. A range of globes, puzzle maps and folders containing pictures from different countries all help to give the child an insight into different cultures.

The culture area encourages children to develop their capacity for creation and develop fine motor skills. Whilst learning to freely express themselves through cultural activities, children develop an awareness and appreciation of the world

Practical Life – We encourage all children to become independent and learn to do things themselves.

Practical life materials are real, everyday tools often scaled down for little hands and statures. They teach real-life skills such as sweeping, pouring, washing dishes, setting a table, or dressing. Children will instinctively imitate the everyday activities they see around them.

Through practical life lessons, children develop small and large motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, independence, confidence, and more.

Why teach the exercises of practical life?

• To meet the child’s need and to encourage and facilitates development.
• To facilitates the child’s adaptation to the world.
• To develop independence.
• To develop concentration
• To develop motor skills and coordination.
• To develop self-esteem, social awareness and social skills.
• To develop intelligence.
• To develop self-discipline, control and order
• Self-discipline – Encouraged by introducing the ‘work cycle’.
• Control – Learns the limits and possibilities of his immediate surrounding and encouraged to make decisions based on this knowledge.
• Order – Learns to keep the environment clean and encourages logical thinking.

We have our own Cook and Housekeeper so we are able to offer meals to suit a wide range of dietary requirements.  We aim to make all meals and snacks healthy and nutritious with appropriate portion sizes for your child.

At mealtimes children sit together to encourage them to develop social skills and table manners.  The children are encouraged and supported to feed themselves and to pour their own drinks, where possible, to develop self-help skills.

Snacks: A snack is given during the morning and afternoon sessions where children are offered a choice of two snacks which they are able to self select. Snacks are varied and options include naan bread, crackers, seasonal fruit, vegetables and dip etc.

At all mealtimes children are offered a choice of milk and water; water is available to every child throughout the day