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What the Centre Provides
What the Children's Centre Provides
- An understanding, gentle and gradual introduction to the centre which is dictated by the child’s progress during this time.
- A flexible day, all year round provision for children of college staff, students and for community children.
- A secure, consistent and stimulating environment for the care of young children aged 3 months to 5 years where the needs of the children are paramount.
- An educational and social setting to encourage and support children in their natural development.
- A stimulating planned curriculum in accordance with OFSTED requirements.
- A negotiated training facility and resource for care courses operating within the college to enable students to observe and become involved in good practice.
- Staff / child ratios recommended by OFSTED are met at all times.
- The Children’s Centre Equality & Diversity policy is fully operated in relation to allocation of nursery places, staffing and work experience programmes.
The Children's Centre Curriculum Planning
Children learn through play and by providing a full and varied programme of activities, which are appropriate to both age and ability, through this, children will acquire the skills needed when they begin school.
We are registered with OFSTED who set Early Learning Goals which come under six headings. The Children’s Centre uses these goals which are broken down into Stepping Stones when planning, taking into account each child’s individual needs as we plan.
Mathematical Development
Through a wide and varied selection of activities children will have the opportunities to say and use numbers recognise numbers and reliably count to ten. Mathematical concepts and language is used enabling children to understand and use this information in contexts. Opportunities to sort match and sequence are made available, through these activities children will have the knowledge and confidence to understand and solve simple problems.
Communication, Language And Literacy
Children will have the opportunity to listen and respond to a variety of stories, music and rhymes. They will be encouraged to express themselves through a wide variety of activities allowing them to extend and develop their conversational skills.
A wide selection of books will be available for looking at, for listening to stories and familiarising themselves with written words. Materials for writing and mark making are available and children will be given opportunities to recognise and write their own name and simple words. They will be helped to understand the purpose of writing.
Personal, Social And Emotional Development
Children will be encouraged to form good relationships with adults and peers, enabling them to practice skills of sharing, working together in groups, helping themselves and others and being aware of the needs of themselves and others. They will be given opportunities to concentrate, make decisions, express their feelings and learn about and understand the cultures of other people.
Knowledge And Undersatnding Of The World
A wide range of materials, tools and objects will be available to allow children to explore, identify and construct. They will be given opportunities to learn and talk about living things, events past and present, the environment and the natural world. Introduction to other cultures and beliefs will give them a wider knowledge of the world around them.
Physical Development
Development in this area will be achieved through indoor and outdoor activities, which allow children to move with control and co-ordination using both large and small apparatus. Children will handle a wide variety of materials, tools and construction equipment. Through movement they will have and show an awareness of space and will be instructed on the importance of keeping healthy and how we achieve this.
Creative
Activities including paint, model making, cutting, sticking, and the use of natural and manmade materials will be readily available. Children will have the opportunity to respond and listen to music, songs and instruments. They will express and communicate their thoughts and ideas through role play and imaginative play.
