Curriculum

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Personal, social and emotional development

At Tinytoons Pre-school we provide children with support and experiences to help them develop confidence in their own abilities as well as helping them develop self-care. We teach children to respect themselves and others and support their development in social skills and learning how to manage their emotions and how to use appropriate behaviour within the group. We use Timelines and golden rules to support this.

Communication and Language

At Tinytoons we provide the children with different opportunities to develop their speech and how they communicate with others. We encourage the use of Makaton by all especially during register time, snack time and circle time. The children join in with a daily letters and sounds activity which helps develop the children’s listening and attention as well as developing their vocal sounds. The children are provided with a variety of resources that also promotes their independence in developing in this area where they can pretend to have conversations using telephones, use the sound buttons to record and play back sounds and through games. Staff are on hand to role model language also and introduce new words and describe play.

Physical development

At Tinytoons we feel that physical activities are an integral part of a child’s day. Throughout sessions there are ample opportunities for children to develop their fine motor skills using tweezers, scissors, puzzles, threading and playdough along with a great deal more. They have free physical in the garden where they can develop their gross motor skills through cars and bikes, ball games and obstacle courses. We also have a 15 minute physical activity every session which could include some of the activities already mentioned along with keep fit, yoga, football coaching and dancing. Children are also encouraged to make healthy choices at lunch and snack time and provided with water throughout the day.

Literacy

At Tinytoons children are given the opportunity to explore words and letters through a vast array of books both in the book corner and in all areas of learning to help develop their interest in books. They are taught to match pictures with initial sounds and as they progress are encouraged to develop simple oral blending.

Children are supported with their development throughout and provided with more challenges in letter and sounds and writing skills to support transitions to reception.

Mathematics

At Tinytoons we offer a vast array of opportunities for children to develop their understanding of numbers and counting. There is maths throughout the play areas as well as a dedicated maths area. Children have the opportunity to explore shape and space using a variety of peg and flat puzzles, construction and den building which also helps develop problem solving. As children develop, they are also introduced to simple number problems and shown different ways in which they can work these out independently. We use a daily timeline/table which helps the children develop an understanding of time.

Understanding the world

At Tinytoons we provide the children with opportunities to explore their world and to develop an understanding of their community. They are encouraged to take part in a variety of celebrations from around the world, try new foods and encourage parents to come in and share their cultures with us. We have a close link with a local elderly day centre within our community in which the children share harvest festival and will go and sing carols with them. They take part in fund raising for Children in need and other worthy causes to develop the children’s understanding of the wider world outside of our community. The are provided with opportunities to develop their understanding of technology and how things work using computers and tools.

Expressive arts and design

At Tinytoons children are encouraged to express themselves by providing them with a range of materials and paints at the craft area, they are taught how to use scissors safely and colour mixing. The children have the chance to develop their imagination through role playing, the role play area is changed on a regular basis to work alongside each topic, this gives the children a chance to take on new roles and explore things they may have never seen before. We have a dance teacher that comes in during the Autumn and winter terms developing the children’s interest in expressing themselves through dance and this is continued by staff throughout the rest of the year.