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Learning Through Play

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About Play

By watching and listening, exploring and investigating, talking and discussing, creating and demolishing; in other words, by PLAYING!

Playing is children’s work and as they are very involved in learning through their play, it is very tiring.

That’s why our high-quality learning environment is about much more than shapes, colours, numbers and letters. It is about developing children’s curiosity, independence, persistence, confidence and self-belief. We want children to think of their own ideas and find new ways to do things, they are the scientists and artists of the future. We want to light the fire of excitement from learning within them, so they can have the skills to achieve anything they want to in their lives.

Help them build positive relationships, all through valuable play experiences. We observe children’s play and interests closely, to explore what they are learning and how we can support them towards their ‘next steps’ in their thinking. We document some of this learning in our Learning Journeys for each child. Some learning is highly visible, through paintings, mark-making or modelling for example. However, some learning has no concrete physical ‘outcome’, but is just as valuable, e.g. climbing to the top of the climbing frame, building a strong mud structure, closely examining a worm in the garden.

The 10 keys to unlocking school readiness*

I can settle happily without my parent/carer
I can talk to friends and grown-ups about what I need
I can take turns and share when I am playing
I can go to the toilet on my own and wash my hands
I can put on my own coat and shoes and feed myself
I can tell a grown up if I am happy, sad or cross
I know that what I do and say can make others happy or unhappy
I am curious and want to learn and play
I can stop what I am doing, listen and follow simple instructions
I enjoy sharing books with grown-ups and talk about them

*If a child is developing typically for their age

We provide care for children from three months to school age and combine a secure and caring environment -where your child will feel happy, relaxed and confident – with the very best facilitates and carers to help them develop new skills and, ultimately, prepare for school.