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Importance of play
Prime Areas
Areas of learning – There are 7 areas of Learning and Development that all childcare providers are required to fulfil. Three areas have been identified as the foundations of giving children an ‘all round’ ability to learn, these are referred to as; The Prime Areas.
These consist of the following:
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Communication and Language
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Physical Development
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
At Mrs Nursery Childcare, we have a whole variety of resources and toys for the children to enjoy, that will support these areas of learning. We have puppets, a variety of multi-cultural books, There is a wooden dolls house, with enough furniture, people and vehicles to create a whole village! We have a sand/water tray, stacking cups, musical instruments, we have plenty of construction toys such as popoids, interstars, duplo and building bricks. For younger children we have lots of sensory toys, that make sounds and are intriguing, to help them explore. We enjoy quiet time and have puzzles, jigsaws and drawing. We have a dressing up box and role play area, farmyard, Noahs Ark, and garage with all types of cars and trucks and a wooden railway set. We are proud of the resources we are able to offer but aside from this our best resource is the commitment, experience and enthusiasm of the staff at Mrs Nursery Childcare. Who all strive to create a homely, nurturing place, where every child can thrive.
Specific Areas
Childcare Providers are also asked to support children in four other areas, known as Specific Areas
These are:
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the world
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Expressive arts and design
We encourage the children to develop in the above areas using lots of different resources, we learn about the world around us by going on bug hunts and looking at our surroundings, dig in our digging patch and listen to stories about the wider world. We have lots of shapes and threading beads, we hang our number socks on our mini washing line and sing an assortment of counting songs. There are lots of opportunities to get messy, such as pasta play, playdough, painting, cornflour and jelly. We have toys that support all ages and stages of development, from wooden shape sorters to colourful cushions, rugs and baby gyms for the younger children. Inspiring children is paramount and we ensure the rooms are stimulating and set out each day with new activities to explore, whether it be out in the garden riding trikes or a whole dinosaur landscape, with rocks and compost or even a role play hairdressers or pet shop. The most important part of what we do is about allowing the children to feel safe and secure, eager to explore and surrounded by people who really care.
Cornflour play
Activity Idea
Add cornflour to a tray or large bowl, slowly add water to form a gooey consistency, try adding food colouring and watch as marble patterns form, you can add scents such as peppermint or lemon essence. This is a reall sensory and exploratory delight. throw in some plastic scrapers, spoons and forks and get stuck in and enjoy the mess!
Every Child Matters
The EYFS is split into 4 main principles:
A Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments and Learning and Development.
A Unique Child - The importance of supporting each child as an individual in all areas of their learning, respecting all cultural beliefs and celebrating diversity, keeping children safe and secure, whilst promoting their health and well-being.
Positive Relationships – Recognising the significance of effective Partnership with Parents, understanding that communication is key and that children thrive in an environment where they can form healthy, strong and trusting relationships with a significant person(s) and the importance of interacting with and feeling supported by motivated and highly skilled staff, who are committed to a successful working partnership.
Enabling Environments - The importance of providing children with bright, stimulating and challenging surroundings so that they can explore and feel inspired. The activities planned reflect the needs of each child, we adapt to support each child’s needs and interests, ensuring they are safe and given both indoor and outdoor opportunities.
Learning and Development - We provide a broad variety of opportunities for children to learn through play, we recognise when to support and become involved and when to step back and just provide them with the encouragement and resources to be active and independant learners, in a positive environment where they interact and communictae with their peers, form friendships and grow in confidence and independance.
