At this stage of a child's development they are like little sponges when it comes to learning and their enthusiasm for life is often great! We embrace this time and make learning through play an enjoyable experience!
At Huggie Bears Family Childcare we aim to offer an exciting and highly motivating introduction to education and encourage a positive attitude towards learning. The activities offered will be differentiated to suit each child's needs. We believe in allowing children to be able to accomplish realistic goals and be suitably rewarded before setting the next challenge.
Our aim is to help the children in our care to approach a major change in their lives – starting school – with the confidence, skills and enthusiasm for learning that will give them a valuable and enduring head start.
It is our intention that as children leave Huggie Bears Family Childcare to start 'Big School' they will have a gained a good introduction to the use of letters and numerals and be happy and confident in taking this major step. This is in line with the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in place in England. Our aim is to help children develop essential social and self-help skills and adopt a positive approach to early education.
We are committed to providing a high standard of planned, safe, creative and positive play opportunities. However, we also appreciate that children need the opportunity to define their own time. Therefore, our activity programme incorporates a balanced combination of social, physical, intellectual, creative and expressive play opportunities, which meet the needs of children of different ages and abilities.
The children are regularly consulted about the activity programme and encouraged to be involved in planning all activities allowing for a balance between child initiated and adult initiated activities which include amongst others:
Arts; textiles; drawing; music; reading; dance; drama; computers; cooking; eating; outdoor activities; special interests; games; sports; relaxing; talking; exploring the environment; celebrating special occasions; play groups and spending time with friends.
Outside games and play activities are positively encouraged. Even in weather that may be considered inclement we endeavour to promote outdoor play as a learning experience and therefore request that suitable clothing for these occasions be supplied. As our aim is to provide experiences led by the child we encourage parents to consider children are clothed accordingly for their time spent with us.
Fresh water is available for all children to help themselves to throughout the day at our ‘Water Station’. The children are invited to help set the table for meal times and help prepare the fresh fruit and vegetables for snack times. They serve themselves food during meal times and learn the importance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
Children who have had the opportunity of a good a pre-school education often settle into primary school well and find the curriculum in primary school a continuation of what they have learnt in pre-school. Our pre-school curriculum is designed to provide a fun, welcoming and stimulating environment which supports children’s learning and development before they move onto school.