PALS (Playing and learning to socialise)

This programme is an introduction to social skills and they are essential to help a child adapt to school. It supports children to use a range of socially skilled behaviours such as looking at people when talking to them, listening and not interrupting, follow rules and share/take turns. Parents are asked to support this at home and are sent information sheets home on ideas of how they can support their child.

Well being & involvement

​It is vital that all the children at First Step Playgroup are happy and involved in the activities that we plan for them. Therefore we assess termly how all of our children are progressing looking at how settled they are and how much they take part in the activities. In this way we can support them through our key person system and by working with parents to increase these areas. If they are ahead we will look how we can stretch them so that their interest in activities and wellbeing remains.
 

Multi - sensory group time (small group time)

Children will take part in a small group activity during their time at playgroup which is lead by an adult.  Every child will be encouraged to take part and the activity is planned so that the child’s senses are used to encourage deep learning. Activities may be based around a story, nursery rhymes, letters and sounds or music. It is linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage and forms part of the weekly planning.

Let's talk together

Language is important as it forms the basis for interactions with other people, to be able to tell someone about our thoughts, needs and experiences. It is, so important as children need to make friends. At the setting we have an Early Years Lead Language professional (Annette Rahman/Yasmin Mohamed) who ensures that the setting is a communication friendly environment. All team members spend time talking and more importantly listening to children, taking part in their play, extending their language and developing their imaginary play. Each child is tracked to ensure they are reaching developmental milestones and extra support is given to those children who need it and on occasion a referral to speech and language with the parent’s permission. Those children who are very able are extended to increase their vocabulary and understanding of how language works. To support talking together we use signing and visual clues alongside verbal language. We spend time reading stories using props so the children can become involved and we sing various different rhymes as this help to develop vocabulary in a fun way. Parents are involved by sending rhymes and stories home and each key person will share individual planning with parents that will support language development. In turn parents share what their child has done at home and how their child expresses themselves so we can work in partnership.

Forest Schools

​Every child will be able to take part in Forest Schools which takes place in the Local Park and forested area at the back of the setting. In the park the children can explore the forested area, the paths, walkways and in the forested area the trees, plants and wild life. There are high staff ratios 1:3 with two qualified practitioners; Annette who is the Forest Schools Leader and Brindar is the Assistant. The children are encouraged to be independent, to challenge themselves and take managed risks. The activities are linked to the curriculum and are included on the group planning, the playgroup provides all in one coats and wellington boots so that all children can take part. 

Outdoor play

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This is a vital part of your child’s learning and development and many children learn a lot more outside where they can make bigger movements and can be much louder. Everyday the children will be encouraged to go outside where they will have access to the same curriculum as inside. This allows children that prefer to learn by moving around to access all the activities in a more physical way. Therefore please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing e.g. coat, hat and gloves in the winter and sun hats and sun cream in the summer. Outdoor play is part of the curriculum and is a legal requirement, it allows children to experience the weather and build up their natural immunity to everyday coughs and colds.