Safe ~ Happy ~ Learning

Children in Nursery access the seven areas of learning through a wide range of adult and child led activities. Children are encouraged to use their senses to explore the world around them, learn through their play and develop their speech, language and communication skills in our language rich environment. 

We provide:

• A wide range of learning activities that reflect the requirements of the Early Years Curriculum. These are provided under a half termly theme, such as ‘Under the Sea’ so as to engage children and encourage them to explore and so build layers of knowledge.
• ‘Learning Choices’ –  have scaffolding to support children such as key questions, pictures, and resources that extend children. Prompts will show the intended outcome: “Can you…”
• Learning Choices are tasks that children can complete independently, are linked to current learning or interests and are purposeful with a clear learning objective.
• Adult focus group work happens throughout the week.
• Learning is differentiated, meaning some children are supported in the carpet session or are taken out to extend / consolidate their learning, ensuring all children are challenged and support staff are optimised.
• Independent Writing – children are engaged in writing by the introduction of ‘Secret Messages’ that appear and which they are encouraged to give meaning to and then write themselves. They have access to writing resources both inside and outside. 
• Adults join in with play regularly, taking the opportunity to model skills within play scenarios. Children love to copy adults and will quickly come to an activity an adult is ‘playing’ with, copying what the adult has done
• Support staff work closely alongside class teachers, observing children, leading focus groups and leading intervention groups.

Outside Learning Area

We are very lucky at Belvedere Infant and Nursery School as the nursery children have their own large outside learning environment. In this area we have climbing equipment, a mud kitchen and access to sand and water. The outdoor environment provides different experiences that the children cannot get inside. Our outdoor environment exposes children to nature, weather and real experiences of the world around them. 

Independent Learning Opportunities

Staff set up the classrooms with a range of exciting and engaging activities that are practical and multi-sensory. Activities are linked to the half termly topic or the key text for the week. Children have a wide range of resources in the classrooms that they can access freely to support their independent learning activities. Activities are set up to provide children with opportunities to practise their speaking and listening skills and encourage them to practise reading and writing throughout the day.