Curriculum
At Rainbow, we are able to offer a safe, bright, stimulating, educational environment.
All our activities are planned alongside the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Guidance and cover the stepping stones within the six areas of learning. (See over)
We introduce the children to the structure and skills they will need when moving on to Nursery education.
The physical development of the child is encouraged by use of both the outdoors (whenever possible) and the indoors. We have a climbing frame, tunnels, slides etc. The children are encouraged to join in with ball games to help improve their hand and eye co-ordination and tackle small obstacle courses requiring a small sequence of movements i.e. over, through and under.
They have the opportunity to experience playing with floor and table top puzzles, a wide range of construction and small world play. Role play is always available in both the home corner and dressing up clothes. We have a quiet area with cushions to sit on and a good selection of books.
At our mark-making table, children are able to develop their pencil and writing skills using a variety of equipment such as pencils, chalks and felt tip pens. Mathematical development is encouraged by various threading and sorting activities.
The children are able to experience a vast range of dexterity activities. These include painting, sticking, sand and water play, play dough, cutting skills and a selection of materials in tote trays i.e. pasta, soil, rice etc. The children's arts and crafts will be in co-ordination with the current theme and will be displayed around the room.
Continuing assessments are kept for each child and are available to be viewed on request.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Six Areas of Learning.
Communication, Language and Literacy
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking & listening and by hearing, joining in & responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning. A well stocked book shelf gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and be aware of their uses both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.
Personal, Social and Emotional
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, independence and self-respect. They are also encouraged to participate in small and large group activities, as well as sharing and co-operating with both their peers and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and its property.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy
By means of adult - supported practical experience, children become familiar with sorting, matching and counting activities which form the basis for early mathematics. Children are assisted to learn and use vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences.
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and man made materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognizing differences, patterns & similarities and to share their feelings. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables the children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.
Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunities allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own bodily skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children to safely create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are supported in the development of fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
Creative Development
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in and respond to music and stories and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play.