Our Activites

Pre-School Activities

 

Children learn through play – it stimulates creativity and imagination, it encourages them to explore through their senses. We are fortunate enough to have an excellent range of toys, games, crafts and books at our disposal, a typical morning’s play will include many of the following activities;

Sand: We have a sandpit where the children are able to play and learn about the properties of sand – when dry it can be poured, when wet – it can be dug into and moulded. We also have plenty of sand toys.

Painting and Drawing: Children are able to paint freely choosing their own colours. Sometimes they are offered the opportunity of doing splatter paintings, printing and using other paint techniques. Children can draw daily and are encouraged to colour using various materials.

Water: We have a large sink and water tray with toys. The children are able to pour, measure and play imaginatively, exploring the properties of water through play.

Books: A large selection of picture books is available and we place much emphasis on reading stories to children.  The library van visits pre-school on Wednesdays and here the children can choose and order books.

Climbing frame/Playground: We have first class outdoor facilities including swings and a climbing frame where the children are able to play physically – climbing, sliding, running, jumping and balancing – in a safe environment.

Junk and Collage: The children are given plenty of opportunity for cutting, gluing, sticking and building simple models and pictures. As well as being fun, this kind of activity encourages dexterity and helps the children learn about shapes, textures and colours.

French:  Integrating spoken French into our curriculum through songs and rhymes, games and conversation.

Music: We have a good selection of children’s instruments and we encourage singing and reciting rhymes. We also have staff taking music and movement classes, which are extremely popular with the children.

Drama and Role-Play: Children enjoy dressing up and acting out their favourite stories and rhymes.

Home Corner: We have a Wendy-house and shopping corner where children can play imaginatively with play cookers, workbenches, kitchen equipment, food baskets, scales, prams and dressing-up clothes.

Play-dough: This is a much-loved activity, and in the interest of hygiene the dough is replaced frequently. There is a wide selection of toys, cutting equipment etc. easily accessible to the children.

Outings and Visits: Children are taken out of pre-school regularly for visits these might include a ride on a train, growing vegetables in a nearby garden, attending under 5’s services at the church and going to watch the trains.

Visitors: Visitors from the community come in to talk to the children including the school lollipop man, local fire brigade and the school reception year teacher.

Other activities: These include a Nativity Play, Christmas Party and Sports day.

 

All these activities combine to:

-       Enrich language development

-       Form the basis of mathematical understanding

-       Offer the chance to explore and enjoy natural materials

-       Develop muscular strength and co-ordination

-       Establish the use of symbols and patterns, laying down the foundations for reading and writing

-       Encourage habits of listening and concentration

-       Provide an introduction to science and the world around us