Daily Routine
9am – Session Starts
9.15am – Morning Registration
9.30am – Free Play (indoor and outdoor)
10am – Rolling Snack
12pm – Morning Session Ends/Afternoon Session Starts
12.15pm – Lunchtime
12.45pm – Free Play (indoor and outdoor)
2pm – Afternoon Milk
3pm – Session Ends
Our routine is adaptable to meet the children’s individual needs. During the sessions we offer adult led activities and structed group sessions, to further extend on children’s learning and prepare them for their transition to school. Some examples of these activities/sessions can consist of School Club, Circle Time and Music and Movement.
Clothing
In order to feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, we advise sending children to pre-school in clothes that are easily washable or not too new. It is good for children to practise the skills that will make them independent. Simple clothing that they can handle themselves will enable them to go to the toilet when they need to and to put on and take off their clothes without being too dependent upon others for help. We also ask that all removable items of clothing are clearly named.
Key Person
First Steps Pre-School has an established key person system, where every child is assigned a key person during their settling in process. Each child’s key person will work closely with them during their sessions, supporting their learning and development and will liaise with parents and families.
We also have a buddy system in place, so if a child’s Key Person is not in the buddy will take over their normal duties.
Observations and Assessments
At First Steps Pre-School we use an online system called Tapestry to log observations of each child. This is a great way for parents to see what their children are getting up to during their sessions.
We complete two-year checks for any children who join us before their third birthday, which will be shared with parents via tapestry. At the end of every term, each child will receive a development summary so parents can see what progress their child has made that term, along with what we will be working on next.
When children leave the pre-school to go to school, the key worker will complete a transition report that (with parents permission) will be shared with their new school.
Once per year we hold parent meetings to give parents an opportunity to sit with their child’s key worker and discuss their development in detail.