Pre-school & Rising Threes
"Children make very good progress in their learning and development...their welfare is actively promoted and their individual needs are consistently met."
Ofsted 2011
The provision for children's early development and learning is guided by The Early Years Foundation Stage (DCFS 2007). From September 2008 The Early Years Foundation Stage became law. This brings together Birth to Three Matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage.
Children from 2 years old can start in the Rising Threes Group and then move up to the Pre-school group the September before they start school the following year. All sessions are fully integrated and inclusive, 50% of the children have a special need and 50% do not.
Both Pre-school and Rising Threes groups include the following:
° Personal, social and emotional development
° Communication, language and literacy
° Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
° Knowledge and understanding of the world
° Physical development
° Creative development
Assessment:
We assess how young children are learning and developing by observing them frequently. We use information that we gain from observations, as well as from photographs or videos of the children, to document their progress and where this may be leading them. We believe that parents know their children best and we ask them to contribute to assessment by sharing information about what their children like to do at home and how they, as parents, are supporting development.
We make periodic assessment summeries of children's achievement based on our ongoing development records. These form part of children's records of achievement
We undertake these assessment summeries at regular intervals as well as times of transition, such as when a child moves into a different group or when they go on to school.
Records of achievement:
The Centre keeps a record of achievement for each child. Staff and parents working together on their children's records of achievement is one of the ways in which the key person and parents work in partnership. Your child's record of achievement helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well being and to make progress.
Working together for your children:
At the Centre we maintain the ratio of adults to children in the groups that is set through the Welfare Requirements. We also have our volunteer helpers, where possible, to compliment these ratios. This helps us to:
° give time and attention to each child
° talk with the children about their interests and activities
° help children to experience and benefit from the activities we provide
° allow the children to explore and be adventurous in safety
