Casterbridge Nurseries have carried out extensive research into the changing needs of children and the priorities of parents or carers as their children develop through nursery care and approach preschool age (from 3 to 5 years of age).
Our preschool continues to follow the Government guidelines set down within the Early Years Foundation Stage which emphasises that active learning through play and exploration is fundamental in helping children develop. It also recognises the importance of creativity and critical thinking in helping children to make sense of their environment and discover new and better ways to do things. In our preschool we encourage children to explore, investigate, observe and record and to persist with their learning.
Our child centred approach combined with extensive planning ensures that each child is fully supported in their development and that each adult is able to make a positive contribution in developing the children. Regular reviews and evaluation of our practice ensures that we meet the needs of all our children.
In addition to ensuring that our care and education practice is first class we have invested considerably in our physical environment and also introduced practical steps to help to smooth the transition to school. This includes children being given the opportunity to wear uniform, carry book bags and take learning aids home with them. In addition we have adopted well known and effective methods of teaching such areas as phonics (sounds), reading and information technology.
For children who are already in our care, the transition to the separate preschool room is easy as they are already comfortable in the nursery environment. New children joining us at preschool age will be offered settling in sessions to ensure that before they join us for a half or full day the children are secure in their new environment and their parents or carers are confident to leave them in our care.
Children who have not attended a childcare setting before preschool will especially benefit from the opportunity to interact with other children of their own age, which teaches social skills that children carry through to school, with advanced skills in following direction, problem solving and joining in activities. They learn sharing, respect for others, how to handle conflict; social skills which are critical in developing personality.
