How we promote learning
Throughout the nursery we value play as the best way for your child to learn, develop and reach their full potential.
In the nursery the children are offered many opportunities to explore experiment and research their surroundings which will help them become curious, ambitious and enthusiastic learners.
In our 3-5 room
We plan using Curriculum for Excellence documentation in our 3-5 playroom where;
“Children learn by doing, thinking, exploring, through high quality interactions, interventions and relationships, founded on children’s interests and abilities across a variety of contexts. All combining to building the four capacities for each child”
Curriculum For Excellence Overview
“Bringing learning to life and life to learning”
“Curriculum for Excellence aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from 3-18, firmly focused on the needs of the child and young person and designed to enable them to develop the four capacities.” (Building the Curriculum 3, Scottish Executive)
Planning
In our three to five year old playroom children access the curriculum through active learning and purposeful play. We follow the Scottish Executive’s Curriculum for Excellence 3-18, and this places the child firmly at the centre of learning.
Staff provide many learning opportunities both indoors and out and make full use of our local facilities within our community to support children’s learning.
Staff consult with the children on a daily basis to find out what they would like to learn about and explore ways of developing children’s personal interests. Staff discuss experiences and outcomes that will support the children’s learning through a variety of topics that the children have noted interest in.
We involve parent/carers in their children’s learning journey through Seesaw and Home Links. Staff record children’s work and their comments using the seesaw online learning journals. Learning walls within the playrooms also demonstrate the learning and skills they have achieved.
Within the playroom we have a wall of achievement that celebrates children’s success. This will help children develop into successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
Assessment
Assessment is an on-going process; staff continually observe the children in a wide range of situations by looking at what they write, say, make and do through play. We moderate as a team to assess if the child has experienced the skill in a variety of contexts over time.
Observations, photographs, videos and examples of children’s work are used to support assessment and this provides valuable information and evidence of children’s progress and learning journey. Children are encouraged to evaluate their own work and share their skills with others. Staff praise and encourage the children which helps build children’s self esteem and confidence. This is essential in our positive learning environment.
You will have opportunities on a daily basis to ask your child’s key worker how your child is progressing. If you would like to raise any concern’s about your child’s development please speak to the key worker or any member of management.
In our under 3's
There is a separate curriculum for children under three. Our environment provides opportunities for children to foster skills for learning, such as reasoning, creativity and problem solving. The choice of experiences on offer reflect an environment of open-ended possibilities in which children can feel intrinsically motivated to explore and investigate through play. This includes taking calculated risks and learning through continued experiences. The social environment and interactions provide children with opportunities to continue to develop positive relationships with others; while also supporting and developing an understanding of boundaries; self-regulation, negotiation and choice. All learning is facilitated through responsive and intentional planning and parents/carers will find more information on the web at:
Please click here for more information.
The national guidance has been designed to support all staff working with young children. It also recognises and values the importance of parents as they understand their child better than anyone else.
Parents and carers have the biggest influence on a child’s development, particularly in the early years. Staff and parents sharing information with each other is key to providing the best possible start for children.
Learning Journals
On starting the nursery you will be asked to complete a home to nursery transition and an individual care plan. This will help us to get to know your child, for example, likes/dislikes, eating and sleeping habits.
During your child’s time at the nursery an online profile containing photos and evidence of your child’s learning experiences will be compiled, using Seesaw. Seesaw is an online program for tracking children’s learning. This program has an online app that parents can access from any online device. More information on Seesaw can be found by clicking here.