A Typical Day at Alonim preschool

STRUCTURE

Our teachers plan the daily curriculum around a theme, either Jewish or secular which normally lasts for one or two weeks. Within the themes, there is often the opportunity for interactive sessions with professionals from the community. Where appropriate we take the children on outings pertinent to the topic they are exploring, theatre or local places of interest.

We work within the guidelines of the Early Years Foundation Stage. During our planning sessions we ensure we address all the areas of the Foundation Stage.  The planning is ‘child initiated’ and we take into account the needs of the individual by monitoring/recording their progress and planning accordingly.  The nursery therefore aims to meet a child’s individual needs.

Our curriculum – Intent, Implementation and Impact

ACTIVITIES

Amongst the activities we provide to promote the children’s learning are:

  • Arts and Crafts – using a variety of mediums to encourage the children’s creativity.
  • Sand and Water – play especially good for early mathematics and encouraging children to play alongside their peers.
  • Book corner – children are encouraged to look at picture and story books and talk about them. We have a library club where children may borrow a book on a weekly basis to take home.
  • Home corner – we have home corners equipped with dolls, furniture and household items where children can enjoy imaginative play and interact with their peers.
  • Construction toys, puzzles, woodwork, threading and games, which all help co-ordination and teach children about shape, size, colour, number and position, in preparation for reading and writing.
  • Cookery – a favourite activity of the children,  carried out at least once a week and more often during festival items e.g. Pesach.
  • Exercise Class – Weekly incorporating  music and movement great for the children’s creativity and physical development – is taught by a qualified pre-school Exercise Teacher,  with the use of exercise resources e.g. hula hoops, balls, bean bags and ‘ribbons’ .
  • Outdoor play – we have a secure playground where children can use a variety of resources , for example, cars,  bikes, buggies, sand, water.  We aim to offer ‘free flow play’ taking into account the constraints of our building. They are also able to use balls, hoops and beanbags to extend their gross motor skills. We use this every day except in extremely severe weather.  The children are provided with ‘wet weather’ suits.

 

EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE
What to expect in the early years foundation stage; A guide for parents.

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Guide outlines what adults must do to help children learn and develop and to be healthy and safe. This guide is for parents* of children from birth to five years old. It will help you find out more about your child’s learning and development in the EYFS.

The EYFS includes seven areas of learning and development. In this guide the seven areas are split into three age bands**:

        o Birth to three

        o 3-4

        o 4-5 (the reception year in school)

In each band, there are suggestions about what your child may be doing, and how you can help them. It’s important to remember that children develop in different ways and at different rates.

After each age band you will find top tips for fun, playful experiences that you and your child can do together at home.

*‘Parent’ is used to mean parents, carers and guardians.

**The age bands follow Development Matters, which is the Government’s non-statutory guide for all early years practitioners, childminders, staff in nurseries, nursery schools, and nursery and reception classes in school.

What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL-16.09-compressed.pdf (foundationyears.org.uk)