After School Homework Club – Little Orchard
Communication, Language and Literacy
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking, listening, and by hearing, responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A stocked book corner gives each 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.
Mathematics
By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities, which form the basis for 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.
Knowledge and understanding of the world
We provide safe and stimulating environment that allows children to observe and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to recognise 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. They learn to respect other people, and expect to be respected themselves. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment is available for the children’s use.
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 increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are helped to develop the fine motor skills they will need to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision. They are also encouraged to develop awareness of their own bodies and of what keeps them healthy.
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 experience in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources provide 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.
Curriculum
The pre-school service is committed to develop a curriculum that creates a child centred, play based environment which empowers young children to actively pursue their own learning. This process will be facilitated by adults who will provide appropriate timely, balanced intervention as well as support, continuity and progression to encourage positive attitudes towards learning.
Physical Development
We have a range of suitable equipment, small and large, indoor and outdoor to allow children to develop both gross and fine motor skills, physical control, mobility and co-ordination. For the development of fine motor skills children have access to crayons, scissors, brushes, construction material, etc.
Social Development
The childcare service provides opportunities for children to play together in settings, which encourage them to learn or share, negotiate and co-operate, make concessions, assert themselves and fit in as part of a group. All aspects of the curriculum help children to develop their skills, especially make-believe play, poems,stories, music, and outings.
Language Development
- Providing opportunities e.g. outings, visits etc.
- Using verbal and non- verbal encouragement.
- Providing a variety of props e.g. puppets, interest tables.
- Aiding children to become familiar with concepts encouraging conversation in groups of varying sizes using rhymes, songs.
- Providing a quiet time to help children to refine their listening skills
Intellectual Development
The use of equipment such as sand, water and bricks to develop concepts such as volume, weight, space, size. Children’s curiosity is enhanced by engaging with a variety of natural and other materials, leading them gradually into an appreciation of science, technology and maths.
Creative Development
We stimulate the imagination and encourage experimentation by providing a wide range of materials and opportunities which include:
- Music, mime, dances painting, dress up, etc.
- Paints, dough, clay, crayons, etc.
For children the process is more important than an end product.