Within the group all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. We ensure a planned curriculum tailored to the needs of each individual child. By means of developmentally appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum which leads to nationally approved learning outcomes and prepares children to progress with confidence to the National Curriculum at the age of five years.

COMMUNICATIONS, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
In both large and small groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, song and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purpose of writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A well stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement
to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence and self respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they can learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.

MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT
By means of adult supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis of early mathematics. As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. A range of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out of doors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing skill and control moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experiences in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role play, both individually and as part of a group.

RECORD KEEPING
Because so many adults help in the group, we are able to implement an excellent record keeping system in which observations of the children in the group are used as a basis for drawing up a curriculum for each child.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Research shows that children learn better when their parents are involved. Our rota system involves all parents in helping in the group. This helps to maintain the high ratio of adults to children in our pre-school, guaranteeing individual care and attention for each child. It also gives parents the opportunity to take an active part in the group, to see what happens there and to talk about it afterwards with their child. In addition, the rota system provides a valuable opportunity for all children to see their own parents/carers in a new role.