Butterfly Room

Open 52 weeks/year weeks/year

The BUTTERFLIES ROOM (Pre-School room)

Staffing ratios will vary according to the ages of the children, but will be a minimum of 1:8 for those over 3 and 1:4 for those under 3.

We have an Early Years qualified teacher who comes in during the week to provide extra support.

The room provides meals as above. When children are old enough to receive the government grant, we will accept the children for pre – school only sessions if the space is available. This would be for 2½ hours for five sessions per week, term time only. The grant starts the term after the child turns three years old.

The Butterflies start to have a more structured curriculum set out as the Foundation Stage.

In this room, the children start to progress towards:

Early maths – Recognizing numbers, counting etc.

Writing - With access to use varieties of writing implements freely to emerge their skills as writers.

Reading – Each child is offered a book to take home, which will prepare them for the time that they are ready to take part in the more formal reading programme

P.E – Twice a week the children change into a PE kit for music and movement, sports or games. This encourages self-help skills, taking turns etc.

ICT – The computer is on at all times during the day so the children can use it.

French - We have a person who comes in once a week to provide a beginning to French, lessons for the older children.

Montessori

We introduce the children to basic Montessori concepts, which are based on the idea of freedom within limits. the environment is prepared for the children within which they flourish and learn in a natural way.

The areas in which the children gain this experience are PRACTICAL LIFE EXERCISES, SENSORIAL APPARATUS, MATHEMATICAL APPARATUS and CULTURAL MATERIALS.

Throughout the day, we give the children many opportunities to promote all six areas of learning by having different ranges of activities. These are based around long, medium and short term planning which ensures extensive use of the resources and areas available to stimulate and develop the children.

· Personal, Social and Emotional Development

· Language and Literacy

· Mathematics

· Knowledge and Understanding of the World

· Physical Development

· Creative Development

A key worker will be dedicated to your child to encourage, support and develop their skills and ensure that records of development are kept and individual needs are met for you and your child.