What we wear

If parents wish, a pre-school polo shirt and sweatshirt can be purchased through Purbeck Media Group, this saves you worrying about what to put on each morning! Their website is https://www.purbeckmedia.group or call 01929 422470 to make an order.

To feel free to explore and experiment with all kinds of materials, including messy ones, it is best to send children dressed in clothes that are easily washable and not new.

Simple clothing, which they can handle themselves, will enable them to go to the toilet when they want to, making children independent, belts can be particularly problematic!  We also encourage the children to put on and take off their outdoor clothes without being too dependent on other peoples help.  Suitable footwear is also essential; we find some sandals children wear to be unsuitable for physical activities.

At preschool we regularly show the children the Pantosauraus – NSPCC’s PANTS (the underwear rule) video below. We think that it’s an important message for the children to learn at this early stage. We have been watching this at preschool since October 2018 and the children have seemed to enjoy the song. It has been a really good tool and lots of our parents have found the NSPCC website very informative. For more information please click on the below video or go to:  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/

Slide
We choose it, use it and put it away
We have fun together
We say please and thank you
We use indoor voices
We are kind to each other
We look after our toys and books
We use kind words
We are considerate and try to listen to what
others are saying and watch what others are
showing us
We use kind, gentle hands
We take turns and share

In the moment planning

Young children have a natural desire to learn, explore and question. Our environment at Little Birds stimulates curiosity, awe and wonder and enables each unique child to engage in activities without being led by an adult. By observing children in child led activities we are able to spot teachable moments where we can engage with the child and support them to take their learning to the next step. Regularly throughout your child’s time at pre-school they will have a focus week as well as continuous learning moments. Our provision will be adapted to reflect your child’s interests to create an enabling environment to get the best learning experience for each individual. During your child’s focus week all teachable moments will be recorded and these moments extended ensuring your child reaches their next steps in a child led way.

If you would like to learn more about how in the moment planning works please talk to one of our practitioners.

Keeping healthy

We offer a healthy choice of snack for the children in our care, fresh fruit, raw vegetables (carrot sticks and cucumber for example), and breadsticks. Children can have semi-skimmed milk or water, and where the child brings in their own snack we ask that you provide a healthy option, and also for packed lunches which are provided by the parent/carer.

If your child attends over lunchtime you must provide them with a healthy packed lunch. Please note that any grapes/blueberries/cherry tomatoes/cocktail sausages should be cut in half lengthways as they can be a choking hazard and any food brought in to preschool should not contain nuts due to allergies.

We encourage the children at all times with their personal hygiene, and have daily regular opportunities for physical exercise for example yoga, morning run,  daily outside activities with the use of our garden, the school playgrounds and field, climbing apparatus, football and trips out into the local area.