A typical class for a child at Nanny Poppins Children can be summed up as FUN! We believe that sticking to a routine and structure is important for your child’s sense of security. We work around what is best for the children and appropriate for the day, so there is flexibility depending on the needs of each child. Each class will cover developmental areas such as social, emotional, cognitive, language, music and movement, communication, early literacy, physical, early Math, listening, problem solving and adaptive.
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Please note: outside and inside child led play times shift according to the weather at the time, so we may do outside play first thing in the morning if it is very hot, or we may do inside play first thing in the morning if it is cold/raining, and go outside later. There is outside play time daily within the 3 hour morning.
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Example of a 3 hour class (walking confidently - 3 years 8 months old)
UNACCOMPANIED
09:00 - 12:00
09:00 - 09:35
Arrival routine
Children learn independence, that they can do things on their own, which in turn builds confidence and self-esteem
Children say goodbye to parents / carers, take shoes off, take their water bottles out and place in water area, put their bags in their cubbyholes, wash hands, find their names and 'sign in' and choose what activity they would like to do
​Child led play
Through the chosen activities children learn about literacy, math, science, art, and engage in extending their fine motor and cognitive skills. Examples of what may be on offer: a sensory bin (e.g. flour, sand, slime, cloud dough, water, etc.), creative opportunities (e.g. markers, crayons, paper, paint, paintbrushes, paper to tear up, whiteboard, etc.), construction activities (e.g. block play, stacking opportunities, etc.)
fine motor development activities (e.g. puzzles, threading, using a pair of scissors, matching, counting, memory, sorting, etc.), there will always be items on the shelves for the children to choose from, rotated as needed
The activities are often, but not always, connected to the theme
Pack away and tidy up (children learn to play and pack away/return to the shelf as they finish with an item)
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09:35 - 09:50
Circle 1
Natural learning of language, numeracy, math concepts, shapes, colours, phonemic awareness, the world and all that is part of it
Children sit and together we do:
Hello song, weather song, weather, days of the week, days of the week song, months of the year, months of the year song, theme discussion, songs and rhymes - some or all depending on a few factors
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09:50 - 10:10
Music and Movement
Through this children build listening skills, language skills, phonemic awareness, math concepts, learn music, social, imaginative and gross motor skills
Music and movement, dancing, exercise - songs, rhymes, rhythm using hands, using the body (e.g. move like an octopus), musical instruments and at times using gross motor equipment inside, stretching, rolling, working in a team (e.g. row, row, row your boat), ball play
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10:10 - 10:30
Circle 2
What's In The Bag?
Through discussion and hands on exploring of what's in the bag, children improve on language, numeracy, sensory and cognitive development
Items in the bag relate to the letter/sound (jolly phonics), colour, shape and number of the week
Toilet break, handwashing and nappy changing as needed
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10:30 - 10:45
Snack time (healthy snacks provided by parents)
There are many opportunities for math, colours, shapes, textures, etc. to be discussed through snack time, but also a good time for the children to decompress and just enjoy their snacks
Pack away and tidy up (children are encouraged to pack their own bags)
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10:45 - 11:25
Creative expression - art and design and child led play (as explained above)
A specific activity that is set up for the children to participate in - language development, problem solving, imagination, fine motor skills, creativity, social skills, supports emotional wellbeing, sensory development, critical thinking, art appreciation, concentration - so many incredible benefits for children, and many more benefits too
Examples of art and design - toilet roll art, hairdryer art, marble art, paintbrush art, mixing colours to make another colour, ice art, playdough, cotton ball painting, sand art, collages, etc. - too many to mention - you will have to wait and see what your little one brings
home :)
Pack away and tidy up (children are encouraged to help)
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11:25 - 11:45
Outside play (times are interchangeable with inside child led play depending on the weather)
Gross motor skill development activities promote strength and self-confidence, and is the basis for good fine motor development. It links to body awareness, coordination, reaction speed and balance.
Examples of what is on offer: ball play, sidewalk chalk drawing, beanbags, cones, parachute, art boards, jungle gym, slides, cars, etc.)
Pack away and tidy up (children are encouraged to help)
Children are free to drink water throughout the morning (with gentle reminders)
Children pack their water bottles into their bags and take their bags to the door
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11:45 - 12:00
Circle 3
Reading
Learning book, social, literacy and language skills when reading independently or with friends
Story time by Miss Vanessa and choosing their own story to read with a friend / with Miss Vanessa / with Childcare Assistant
Goodbye for children up to 3 years 8 months old
Promotes learning through language, rhythm, listening skills and increases independence, confidence and self-esteem
Goodbye song and home time
Children put their shoes on, put their bags on their backs, and leave
Class continues for ages 3 years 8 months - 5 years old
11:30 - 12:00
Packed lunch
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12:00 - 12:55
Dedicated focus
Focus on games and activities to promote phonetic awareness, phonics, blending, reading, correct pencil grip, letter writing skills, name writing, storytelling/oral skills, basic math skills such as number concepts, counting, patterns, measurement, volume, comparing, simple addition and subtraction, etc.
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12:55 - 13:00
Pack away and Goodbye
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The space consists of a large open plan indoor playroom with an outdoor area, and accommodates 7 children per session, Monday - Friday. Age appropriate activities are available to children on a daily basis, encouraging a fun, stimulating environment in a safe space.
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Potty Training: we offer this in a gentle way - parents supply potties (bring and take home daily) and children sit on the potties twice during the course of the morning. During this time we sing 'The Potty Song' and read a story or two, and the children also get to read a book of choice if they would like to. Nothing is forced and ultimately, when children are ready, they will potty train. The beauty is that they do learn from each other, and are happy to sit on their potties together and do their thing.
Please note that potty training is done in conjunction with parents and carers - there is no point in us encouraging it at playschool if it isn't followed through at home :)
For hygiene reasons, we don't promote underwear wearing while potty training at playschool - we need playschool to be clean and as germ free as possible at all times, so when the children are off the potties they wear nappies :)
