We work towards the "Early Learning Goals" as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (www.foundationyears.org.uk).
Our programme is planned to support each child in their learning journey towards and beyond these goals.
Our curriculum enables the child to learn and develop skills, attitudes and understanding through play. Children will be developing skills across all the Prime and Specific areas of learning whilst at Playgroup, working towards achieving the Early Learning Goals at the end of their reception year.
— The prime areas:
– Personal, Emotional, and Social Development,
– Communication and Language,
– Physical Development.
— and these specific areas:
– Mathematics,
– Literacy,
– Understanding the World,
– Expressive Art and Design.
The mornings include creative activities, play with various construction sets, outdoor play in the garden and playground, enjoying stories, role play, puzzles and games, malleable materials, sensory activities, talking about and listening to the children's news and ideas, singing, gross motor activities including playing on bikes, bouncing on the trampoline, and climbing on the wooden play frame and working together on the see-saw.
The programme includes listening games, science sessions, music and movement, percussion, sand and water play.
In our secure environment, with effective adult support, children will be able to:
– explore, develop, and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world,
– practise and build up concepts, ideas, and skills,
– learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules,
– be alone, be alongside others, or co-operate as they talk to rehearse their feelings,
– accept each other no matter what our gender, background, race, religion, or disability,
– respect each others views and opinions,
– take risks and make mistakes,
– think creatively and imaginatively,
– communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems,
– express fears to relieve anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations.
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At the beginning of each morning we have 'Mat Time' with the Cats, where we talk about the week's topic we are looking at. We encourage the children to actively take part — explain their understanding of the topic and talk about their experiences, ask questions etc. valuing their input in discussions. They can bring in any relevant items from home to 'Show and Tell'. Mat time is age appropriate adapted for the ‘Kittens’. .
Occasional visitors to the group talk to the children about a particular subject (e.g. a country, road safety, fire safety, a musical instrument, and people who help us).
The "Cats" have 'project time' for a short period during the mornings, which involves developing pencil control; writing; recognising shapes and patterns; counting; recognising and writing numerals; linking sounds and letters; and learning about themselves. We also have group discussions – tasting and smell sessions, Maths games, making graphs of our favourite fruit/drink, visual science discussions – air and celery in dyed water etc. Care is taken to ensure the activities suit each level of ability, enable progress and encourage a ‘Can do’ attitude. The purpose of ‘project time' is to prepare the children for the type of adult-led experience they will encounter at school.
Our staff are all mums, almost all of whom are qualified to Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education.
Every staff member has the Safeguarding Children Certificate and the Paediatric First Aid Certificate. Their certifications are regularly updated.
At Laleham Church Playgroup we aim to work with parents and carers and provide a caring Christian environment in which each child will be stimulated to develop — socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, linguistically and spiritually — through play.
CATS: Main Hall activities and outside play.
KITTENS: Small Hall activities.
CATS: Small Hall activities (including 'Project Time').
KITTENS: Main Hall activities and outside play.
ALL: Bible story and choruses.
ALL: Wash hands; enjoy a drink, fruit, and a biscuit.
ALL: Outside play-time (if wet we split into two groups: parachute play, balls, races in the Main Hall, and Kim's Game. singing, music etc in Small Hall.
ALL: End-of-morning Story
ALL: Goodbye Song and giving out art and craft made today
* Once or twice each week Music & Movement will take place, with half the children going in the garden and the other half staying inside for dancing, and then swapping over.
— Between 10:40 — 11:00
A staff member will take a group of up to 6 older children to participate in extension activities away from the rest of the children.
— The “Cats” and “Kittens” will have separate end of morning stories.
Monday 4th September 2023
—
Friday 15th December 2023
Half term week:
23rd October - 27th October 2023
Thursday 4th January 2024
—
Wednesday 27th March 2024
Half term week:
12th February - 16th February 2024
Monday 15th April 2024
—
Wednesday 17th July 2024
Half term week:
27th May - 31st May 2024
Autumn Term 2023
2nd September 2024
—
20th December 2024
Half term week:
21st October - 25th October 2024
Spring Term 2025
6th January 2025
—
28th March 2025
Half term week:
10th February - 14th February 2025
Summer Term 2025
14th April 2025
—
16th July 2025
Half term week:
26th May - 30th May 2025
URN 522042
Registration Number 120089
Registered Number 1135064
All Saint's Church, Laleham. http://www.allsaintslaleham.org.uk.