Sessions

What happens during a pre-school session?

All sessions may have up to 20 children at a variety of ages from 2 years to almost 5 years. We are working to increasingly mix these age groups as research shows it is better for children to be in “Family Style” groups rather than the artificial grouping of all one age group together.   

A typical pre-school session for the children will include:                                  

Welcome by the staff, especially their key person. 

Free play inside the Pre-School and in the garden where a variety of experiences and toys/interesting objects will be set out, according to the known interests and level of experience of the children.  

During this time :

• We observe the children, making written notes and taking photos for their records and to inform the planning of future activities. In this way we get to know them well and can plan on an individual basis for each child to promote their learning and development.
• The children may move freely between inside and out although in cold or wet weather we insure that they put on coats and boots!
• They may choose other toys or activities themselves from our clearly photo labelled boxes and drawers and are encouraged to put things away when they have finished with them. They are encouraged to ask if there is something they would like to do but cannot initiate themselves.

Staff are always nearby to interact and sustain shared thinking with the children, intervening when appropriate to move children/activities on to another phase and make certain that each and every child is included and having positive experiences.

Snack Time We operate a “Cafeteria Style” snack time at Streatley Hill. For about an hour during the session children may come to the Snack area and help themselves to a cup and plate, find a seat and choose something to eat from the healthy choice available that day. We always make sure children wash their hands before they eat and check that every child is aware when snack is available. Drinking water is always available. Children are often involved in preparing snack themselves and are encouraged to clear away after themselves.

Tidy up time. Everyone helps to put things away in a positive way eg. Matching toys to boxes, counting, making a game.

Carpet/circle time. Where we share news, perhaps discuss current themes/topics, look at something some of us have done today and all children have the opportunity to talk or  to the rest if they want to. 

Singing Shared or group singing or rhymes, sound games or musical instruments and...

Storytime followed by: 

Lunch time. Between 12 and 1pm, we have lunchtime, where the children wash their hands and then sit together with other children and staff and eat a packed lunch brought from home.

The Afternoon session follows a similar format to the morning session but may include walks into the nearby woods, an excursion up onto the Downs or occasionally a trip further afield.

Home time. Parent/carer collects their child  and takes them home. Communications to parents and anything a child may have made to take home will be in their named drawer at this point.  

A notice board with highlights of the morning will be displayed for parents to view along with an electronic photo frame with the day’s photographs. The staff will normally all be available for discussion with any parent at the end of a session. 

As the children get towards the end of their time with us we begin to offer more group times within the sessions to prepare children for the more structured approach of school. These will include extension activities for those children who are ready. We have an increasing amount of liaison with Streatley School and are visited by staff and children from their Foundation Class and also take those children approaching school age to join them in their classroom and outdoor play area. According to our previous parents this significantly eases transition into the main school.