Our Curriculum
At the old school house we have play at the very heart of our ethos.
Our nursery has been thoughtfully designed to allow children the opportunity to enjoy learning.
We designed our curriculum to give children the widest range of opportunities. The success of our approach can be measured in the children’s high level of achievement.
Our Approach
Our educational approach has been brought together using thirty eight years of experience in the early years.
We take influences from other early years philosophers including Reggio Emilia.
Whilst we draw on these methods, we are constantly evolving to ensure that the latest scientific findings reflect the modern world and the educational experiences the children are exposed to.
For example working to provide STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) influences whilst also ensuring that we put emotional well-being at the heart of early years practice.
It begins with the child
For over ten years our nursery and curriculum have been heavily influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach.
The children, the environment and the community are at the heart of our learning.
We follow the child's interest and make their thoughts and ideas happen.
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What does this look like in practice?
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Here's what might happen:
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There may be a group of children interested in birds. We encourage the children’s curiosity, asking why birds are so special.
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We might bring out books about birds or go for a nature walk to see what birds we can see and hear.
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The children might decide to build a birds house using resources found on nature walks to create their vision. This forms their project.
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We document their discoveries through photos and notes, creating a visual story of their learning. This is displayed in our rooms with the documentation.
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Parents would be invited to share in the projects, they may show pictures of bird feeders in their gardens or share further information about their childs interest and here the project goes on........
Our Curriculum
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Outdoors Every Day
Each outdoor playspace offers the children a wealth of learning opportunities.
We are outside learning everyday
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Everything starts with the child
Through Inquiry based learning and our child led approach each day is a new experience for the children in our care.
Our curriculum is built up around Projects and the Child's Interests.
Sometimes we are following the child ( 80%) and sometimes we are leading the child ( 20%)
​With a strong emphasis on the child, the environment and the community our team create a wealth of learning opportunities each day.
We do not prepare children for school we prepare them for life!
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Pedagogy
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Each child has the right to make choices in regard to their learning and should feel a strong sense of well-being
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As the environment is the ‘third teacher’, it is essential that our physical spaces are set up to encourage engagement and exploration
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The environment should reflect both our love of nature and views on sustainability
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Building relationships with families and encouraging a high degree of involvement, is key
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Learning is ongoing and we constantly seek to develop our own knowledge to offer richer experiences to our children
Enrichment Activities
Opportunity Unlocks Potential
Beyond the Classroom
At the old school house, we believe that the big world beyond the classroom is there to explore. As part of our curriculum we organise a wide range of excursions which provide rich learning opportunities that stimulate curiosity and inspire new interests.
These fun but educational activities support the development of children’s social skills and self-confidence.
The opportunities that we provide complement and enhance the learning opportunities inside the nursery environment and expand children’s experiences, helping them reach their full potential.
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These include
Beach School
Pumpkin Patch
Outdoor Explorers
Fruit Picking Trips
Within the Classroom
Offering an enhanced curriculum which provides greater opportunities for our children continues inside the classroom. We include additional specialist classes such as Languages, Music, Science and Yoga.
The old school house also invites a wide range of professionals from the community to visit our nurseries to enhance our children’s learning and understanding.
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We provide activity weeks such as Bike Week, Rugby Week and celebrate many seasonal events throughout the year.
