BUMBLEBEE AREAS OF LEARNING
Bumblebee - Areas of Learning
The areas of provision on offer include:
Books and Puppets
– children can read and tell stories themselves, make up their own stories using the props provided or sit and listen while an adult reads in small groups or individally.
Creative Areas
– lots of materials are available for children to make collages and junk models. We may ask you for empty cereals boxes and cardboard tubes from time to time, to keep this area stocked up!
ICT
– children are introduced to technology, using digital cameras, light boxes and our interactive whiteboard.
Investigation and Exploration
– broadly covering science, nature, problem solving, reasoning and numeracy. Children have the opportunity to examine, enquire and experiment.
Large Construction
– block play develops children’s ability to problem solve and their spatial awareness. It provides physical play which enhances co-ordination.
Literacy and Numeracy
are supported throughout the room using books, games, posters and environmental print. Children’s pegs are labelled and they are able to register themselves when they arrive at nursery.
Malleable Materials
– clay, goop, play dough and other materials offer opportunities for tactile and imaginative play.
Mark Making
– although we have a specific area for crayoning, emergent writing and drawing, we also make ‘mark making’ materials available around the nursery so that children can write in other areas – for example making shopping lists in the role play area or drawing maps in the construction area.
Music
– instruments are provided for children to access and props to support this area to include ribbons and fabric, a cd player and cds are provided. Children can play instruments, move, sing, dance and explore in this area
Paint – children can create works of art using paint with brushes, sponges and string. We will display some of these on our walls - and you can take some home for your walls!
Role Play – children can dress up and pretend. Our Role Play Area is often changed to encourage emerging language through Role Play.
Sand – wet and dry sand offer different experiences to learn about the properties of natural materials and to dig, pour, mould, and make marks.
Small Construction – duplo, sticklebricks and other resources help to develop children’s fine motor skills.
Small World – model animals, vehicles and people are available in most areas; sand, water, construction to allow children to use their imagination to make up and tell stories and scenarios.
Water
– children love water, pouring, splashing, floating and sinking sailing boats, filling and emptying.
The opportunities in these areas of provision have the potential to support problem solving, critical thinking, understanding mathematical and scientific concepts, understand the world around them looking at differences and similarities of families and people - and develop an understanding of British Values. They also have the potential to develop literacy; writing and numeracy skills; develop their imaginations; help children explore different media and how they relate to each other; develop social skills including friendships & managing their own behaviour; develop fine manipulative hand to eye co-ordination, spacial awareness and large motor skills; develop vocabulary and communication skills; share, celebrate and represent their own experiences; support and develop their understanding of managing their own health, body awareness and safety rules; and create and work within expected boundaries - both social and for safety reasons.
Every day, at the beginning of the session, we hold Key Person led group times which include discussion involving each child’s ideas and opinions to help them to plan and get the best out of their day. The well planned day offers opportunity for individual and group learning (both indoors and outside) through both planned activities specifically for children and through open access to resources, so that children can have their own explorations and lead their own learning experiences. Our approach ensures that the seven key areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage are fully covered. Children have individual assessments throughout the year which monitors and reviews their progress and gives us the opportunity to include you in how, together, we can continue to ensure that they make progress during their time at our nursery - supporting their future. We make learning fun so that our children feel positive about learning and feel confident and competent, as this will enable them to succeed at school and beyond.