Play
The nursery understands that play is something that a child best enjoys. A child?s play has a purpose and can be a step towards the learning and understanding of valuable skills. It can help the child fit into the world physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially, and grow to be a healthy and competent individual.
The nursery will endeavour to provide children with a stimulating environment, where playing and learning go hand in hand. A varied selection of activities will be provided throughout the day, using both indoor and outdoor activities.
Consideration will be taken to ensure that provision is made for children with special needs and abilities.
Messy play
A large variety of different mediums, such as shaving foam, cornflour, jelly, spaghetti and dough will be made available. These will provide different tactile and imaginative experiences and will encourage expressive language.
Sand and water
These will be made available on a regular basis. They provide opportunities to experience scientific and mathematical concepts as well as encouraging social and language development.
Creative activities
Activities such as painting, sticking, chalking and box modelling will be made regularly available. Additionally games such as ring games, lotto and snap will encourage conversation and the learning of social skills - taking turns, sharing, winning and losing.
Imaginative play
The nursery recognizes the importance of imaginative play to children and will aim to provide rich opportunities to widen the imagination. These will include dolls and accessories, road maps and cars, trains, dressing up clothes and a home corner. Various different play settings will be made available. There is also a selection of construction toys which additionally encourage good hand/eye coordination, counting, sorting, etc.
Physical play
Tunnels, a ball pool, tricycles, balls, hoops, climbing apparatus, threading, cutting out, music and movement are some of the activities provided.
Books
A variety of books is available for children to look at and read, both under supervision and alone. Children will also be read to as a group each day and encouraged to share books with their peers.
Additional equipment
A tape player, television, computer and musical instruments will be available so that in addition to hearing and responding to music children will be encouraged to think about how sounds are produced. There are also many other forms of activities and equipment that the nursery would use in order to promote play with the children.