How we educate
Our educational system is based on a Plan-Do-Review cycle. It combines small group sessions that are designed to develop key skills - speaking/listening, for example. Then the children are offered trays that hold items relating to all activities available in the nursery. Children talk about these items with their key worker, then chose one that symbolises the activity they wish to participate in. This process helps children focus their attention, rather than flitting from one activity to the next.
At the end of work time, children gather in small groups with their key worker to talk about what they did/made/learned, and show their models/pictures to the rest of the group. Pre-school children complete a diary using picture symbols relating to the activities they have chosen, which can be shared with parents and carers.
Our educational system combines small-group sessions (when staff develop structured activities with children) and “work times,” when children are offered their choice of all play materials - but they must first plan their intended activity by telling their key worker what they wish to do. At the end of work times, children gather in small groups with their key worker to talk about what they did/made/learned, and show their models/pictures to the rest of the group. In this way a “plan, do, review” cycle is established.
About Our Playground
Our playground is unique - developed thanks to a £30,000 Capital Fund grant, which we received during 2010 in recognition of our consistently high standards.
The central platform is a fort structure reached by climbing up blue scramble netting.
Once on top we can seat up to 20 children for story sessions. Afterwards, everyone - including staff - zooms back to earth down our bizarre-looking yellow tube-slide (it is the creation of a Swiss company).
Beneath 'the fort' children can play inside cosy rooms fitted with tables, chairs and a toy cooker. At the rear - attached to the structure - there is Grapevine's petrol station, where children can fill up their cars.
Our whole playground is covered with safety-surfacing, and a road track is marked out.
We have a large sand pit, a wall xylophone, garden boxes, a distoring mirror, and a very interesting water game.
Lengths of guttering are attached to the wall, each with a tap affixed. Children pour water into the top piece of guttering, then control its flow - collecting it at floor level.
One of our most popular activities is basketball. The children never tire of trying to
hit the target.
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NURSERY COMPUTERS
We use  computers to help children develop the mouse skills that will be so useful to them in later life. On-screen games promote numeracy and literacy, and an awareness of the outside world.