Sessions & Routines

Next Steps Pre-school believes that care and education are equally important in the experience which we offer children. Our daily routines and activities are created to ensure the following:

• activities are all child-led and play is free flow, children can play with and access equipment or go outside when they wish to do so
• children are made to feel that they are a valued member of the pre-school
• health & safety of each child is paramount
• children gain from the social experience of being part of a group and being independent and having self-regulation skills
• children are provided with opportunities to take risks which they will learn new experiences from

The Session

The pre-school organises its sessions so that the children can choose from a range of activities to build upon children’s next steps in their learning. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult-led small and large group activities which introduce them to new experiences and help them to gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others.

We have a three gardens which enables children to enjoy outdoor activities. Our outdoor spaces offers a sand pit, sand kitchen, a sensory garden, and a large slide on a grassy bank.

The pre-school children learn about nature and we encourage children to look at insects in a positive way. Activities contribute to children’s health, their physical development and their knowledge of the world around them.

Clothing

We do have a uniform which is not compulsory but we feel benefits children in many ways. We provide aprons for the children when they play with messy activities. Please be aware that children may still get messy. Please leave a change of clothing as well a nappies and wipes if applicable, in a bag on your child’s peg. The pre-school encourages children to gain the skills which help them to be independent and look after themselves. All clothing and shoes must be labelled with your child’s name.

Shoes and Jewellery

Please provide a pair of plimsolls or slippers for your child to change into when they arrive at the pre-school. For safety reasons, children are not permitted to wear jewellery in Pre-school, with the exception of stud earrings. Cultural/religious requirements will be respected, but please discuss these with the Manager. In this case the parent/carer must provide a signed waiver of liability to the Pre-school. This will state that the Pre-school will not be held responsible for loss or injury caused to or by the jewellery. Staff will remove any other jewellery from children and the Pre-school will not be liable for such items.

The pre-school policy for children going to toilet is that the child will be encouraged to tell a member of staff if they wish to go to the toilet, and a member of staff (DBS checked) will take the child.

If a child has an ‘accident’, the child will be treated with sympathy and understanding. All toilet incidents are written down and signed for by parent/carers