St Nicolas Pre-School© All rights reserved. 2011. Site Design and Build; Marleyman
Children need the best environment in which to cultivate their own natural impulse to learn and achieve their full potential. Our approach to childcare best allows freedom and structure to progress physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. At St Nicolas Downderry Pre School, we treat all children respectfully and individually and aim to provide a homely, family environment.
We are a community run pre-school. There is an executive committee elected by parents which oversees the running of the pre-school.
The St Nicolas Downderry Pre School outdoor space occupies a natural, spacious and secluded area within St Nicolas Church enjoying a large grassed area with mature trees and hedges. There is a tarmac play area to the side which we use for free flow, enabling the children to explore activities inside and out.
We go outside each day and dependant on the children and weather on some days will be outside for the majority of the session. Our garden includes a digging area, role play shed, wheeled toys, access to bats and balls, hoops, sound fence, look out shed, climbing tree, natural objects to discover, mark making resources and water.
We are a packaway Pre-school and work hard to ensure the indoor environment is welcoming and attractive. Areas included in our indoor environment are, a book corner, mark making and writing area, role play, small world play, construction area, creative workshop, messy play and an area to explore maths resources.
Snack is available throughout the morning enabling the children to choose when they would like to have it. It is eaten in a small group with an adult present, this enables lots of discussion around healthy eating and general discussion about the children's interests and experiences outside of pre-school.
The children have free choice of resources in many areas and are able to transport resources from one area to another.
Our staff are well qualified and experienced, the St Nicolas Downderry Pre School leader is working towards a Foundation degree in Early Childhood studies and our Pre-school deputy is working towards a degree in Early years studies. Our Special Educational needs co-ordinator has a broad experience of working with children with special needs and we also have a dedicated volunteer who comes to help us throughout the week
The foundation stage curriculum is designed to build on children's skills in the following 6 areas:
- Personal, Social and Emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
As well as topic led and seasonal led activities we plan and build on what the children have been interested in during the week so the children are motivated and interested to learn. Activities are a combination of adult led, adult supported and child initiated. Developing the whole child and a love of learning is important to maximising their future learning
On one morning a week the older children at St Nicolas Downderry Pre School take part in Forest School. The concept of Forest School originated in Norway, Sweden and Denmark where children spend extended periods of time outside in all weathers. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences, it is also hoped that if young children are provided with an education that includes an appreciation for the natural world they will gain an interest and responsibility for nature conservation in later life.
They take risks such as climbing trees, using tools and using fire to cook with. Forest School encourages growth in confidence, independence and self-esteem through small achievable tasks..
We have also trailed beach school and are looking at developing this in the near future.
We also use the local area to enhance our curriculum, walks are taken around the village, to the beach and we invite visitors to come and talk to the children.
