3-5 Year

Starbeams

The Starbeam Room follows a flexible, child centred routine, easily adaptable to incorporate each individual child’s personal routines and needs. These unique routines and needs are discussed during registration and the settling in process.

The ratio is one member of staff to eight children and each child has an allocated key person.
The provision is set up to be easily accessible to the children so that they can enjoy and discover during free play. It also provides clearly sectioned areas where the children can enjoy more focused table top activities, supported by practitioners. The areas of provision are observed by the practitioners during ‘time samples’ where we observe how the children are using the areas and ascertain if any changes or enhancements can be made. This is a continual process which ensures that the room is always suited to the children’s needs and interests. The outdoor play area is a reflection and continuation of the indoor space. The process for planning and provision is mirrored outdoors.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is followed and all 7 Areas of Learning are covered. Exciting and stimulating activities are planned according to the children’s interests and developmental stages. Some of the activities carried out with the children include

Role Play

The role play area provides children with opportunities to play imaginatively. They can act out experiences and scenarios. The children can also develop their social skills and communication and language. The role play area is adapted and development to meet the children’s interests and provide exciting opportunities.

Circle time

The children have the opportunity to take part in ‘circle time’. Our conversation Bear – Darcy is used as a tool during ‘Circle time’. The children have the opportunity to talk about their interests, share ‘Wow Moments’, and take part in discussions.

Maths

Children have the opportunity to explore number and shape in interesting and exciting ways. For example, creating patterns with different objects and placing the correct number of counters into trays.

Literacy

The writing and literacy area is continually adapted and enhanced to allow the children to explore mark making in different ways. A wide range of media and tools are provided. The children are supported in beginning to form recognisable letters.

Toileting

Practitioners take your lead with regards to toileting. If you inform us of the routines, languages and methods you use at home we can follow these at Nursery. The process of toileting will be unique to each child. Toilet training takes time and we aim to be consistent and work in partnership. Please bring plenty of spare clothes with your child for accidents. We offer lots of praise and encouragement and can follow reward systems that you have in place at home (such as, sticker charts). If you have any questions or would like any advice please talk to your key person.

15 hours

All 3-4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of Nursery education per week. All children are eligible for the hours the term after they turn 3 until they start full time education.

Wrap around

We also provide wrap around care and can drop off and collect children from three local Nursery schools; South Ossett Academy, St Ignatius and Dimple Well, with them spending the remaining part of the day with us.