Our curriculum is planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage: an emphasis on learning through play with a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities.
A typical morning at The Learning Tree Nursery
(flexible according to weather and to allow for spontaneity).
9.00 a.m. Greeting parents and children, welcoming them into a warm and safe environment. The children are encouraged to identify their own named peg and then place their name on a wall chart.
9.15 a.m. Good Morning Time. The children and staff sit comfortably in the Book Corner and we all welcome each other to the start of our day. We mainly use songs for this activity, with sign language. As part of the routine, we identify the day of the week, the month and the weather conditions for that day.
We also use this time to discuss nursery themes and listen to the children’s news, with “Show and Tell” each Friday morning.
9.30 a.m. The children participate in free choice, child-initiated activities alongside an adult-led craft activity which they are each invited to join.
10.30 a.m. Hand washing routine, prior to Snack Time. The children are encouraged to identify the amount of syllables in their names and beat it on a drum before going to wash their hands. They also learn to identify their name cards which staff or the children have placed at the tables. The snack provided is healthy – we offer both fruit and vegetables followed by a plain biscuit with a drink of milk or water. Children are invited to help prepare the snack and set the tables.
10.45 a.m. Children return to free choice activities.
11.15 a.m. Children’s tidying routine.
11.20 a.m. Group Time – such as one of the following: Story and Sing-along, Drama group, Dancing session, Musical instrument session.
11.40 a.m. Outdoor Time – The outdoor classroom is set up for children to participate in physical activities – they have access to ‘sit and ride’ toys, tricycles and scooters, a wooden play house, sandpit, planting, as well as a range of resources such as ball games and hoops
12.00 p.m. Children’s Collection – Children are handed over to parents by a member of staff.