Health and Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing is an integral part of nursery life where we encourage the children to be confident, secure and happy within the playroom and outdoor spaces. The children begin to develop social and personal skills which allow them to become independent and begin to socialise with others. They learn about friendships and the importance of secure relationships by exploring children’s rights. We support children to make healthy choices with foods and exercise. They are giving support to keep themselves safe by offering learning opportunities that allow them to be aware of and take risks. Children learn to be responsible for their own learning and learn how to take care of themselves, developing their self-help skills.
Literacy & English
Using a wide variety of media from computers to sand, the children are given opportunities throughout the playroom and outdoors which supports the children’s literacy skills. The children can experience a wonderful variety of stories, books, nursery rhymes, and songs which encourage them to listen and recall. We use programmes such as Vygotsky Story Grammar to support the children to develop a greater understanding of stories and their structure. Phonological awareness is also used to support early reading skills and encourage the children to listen and take turns to talk. The children are exposed to a wide variety of environmental print through individual name cards, labels, displays, and notices. The children have opportunities that allow them to experiment with mark-making and developing early writing skills such as drawing, holding their pencil correctly and experimenting in forming letters.
Numeracy & Mathematics
Through active play, the children are encouraged to develop numeracy and maths skills. Throughout the playroom and outdoors there are opportunities to explore and experiment with :
Number, Money and Measure Shape, Position and Movement Information Handling The children are supported to understand and use the mathematical language of size, shape, and number.
Social Studies
Through Social Studies, children and young people develop their understanding of the world by learning about other people and their values, in different times, places and circumstances, and how their environment has been shaped.
Expressive Arts
The children experience expressive arts through a wide range of learning activities which allows the children to express themselves using art and design, dance, drama, and music. Some examples of these are painting, drawing, concerts and role play.
Science
Our children are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment and about the living things they observe. We involve our children in planting activities and encourage discussions and active participation about how to care for them. The children also have the opportunity to learn about life cycles and a variety of living things are on display within the nursery which the children help to care for including snails, tadpoles, and caterpillars. We involve the children in discussing and exploring seasons, weather and space.
Technology
By using ICT equipment the children develop a variety of skills to support learning. The children develop computer skills, learn to use a camera and remote control equipment. Through active play, the children explore ways to make models and problem-solving.
Social Studies
Through play and real-life experiences, the children discover their local community and the roles people have in their lives. We engage the children in looking at people who help us and the jobs they do. We support the children to be responsible citizens through environmental topics and making decisions in their behaviour and learning. The children have opportunities for the wider world looking at Scotland’s heritage and the cultures of countries around the world.
Religious and Moral Education
The children are supported to be thoughtful and considerate of others and learn to share and take turns. By discussing and consulting with the children they understand the reasons why these are important, devising playroom rules together and through play experiences the children develop these very important skills. The children are made aware of Christianity by discussing festivals such as Christmas and Easter. Taking part in activities that allow the children to become familiar with Jesus, God, and the stories. The children have opportunities to explore festivals such as Diwali, stories, music, and cultures from around the world.
