Morning
Sessions
When all of the children have arrived we like to do “wake and shake” in the garden, this is a short
exercise session which increases alertness and provides the children with a short burst of activity
first thing in the morning. Then everyone comes back inside for free play, with access to many self-
initiated activities and equipment, until we open the door to the garden to provide free flow in and
out. We have a covered outside area so the children have access to outside play even on rainy days.
We provide fruit, vegetables and milk for our snack, which is delivered to us regularly throughout
the week. The children assist staff in preparing food for all the children to eat at snack time.
Towards the end of the session we ask the children to help tidy up ready for our group activities.
These are fun activities designed to challenge their abilities and to help towards team building, such
as bean bag races, relays, football skills, drama, keep-fit, music and movement and always a
favourite, albeit a bit noisy, musical instruments.
And we always end the morning with a group story.
Lunch and
Afternoon Sessions
As lunch is only half an hour, it is a very quick affair, but the children find it great preparation for big school. It also gives the staff the opportunity for chats and discussions on how the day has been for the children and what they would like play with in the afternoon.
In the afternoon, the activities are changed over to provide variety for children who stay all day. They are structured slightly more towards fun learning activities such as counting & phonics.
We have very close links with Burford School who give us guidance in the things they would like the children to be able to master before starting big school. These are mostly practical tasks such as being able to put on and do up their coat, shoes and socks and so forth. So, for example, we have fun trying to put on our coats before the music stops!