Each one of the groups has a carefully planned daily schedule which reflects the age and stage of development of the children. The daily scheduled are reviewed every 12 weeks, so that they can be formally updated to respond to children’s changing needs as they grow throughout the year. The schedule provides an overall plan and guide for how the nursery day works in each group, but is implemented flexibly and is sometimes changed around by the team leader.
Our Woodlands has the least structure, and more structure and planned time for the children is slowly introduced through the groups, up to Ocean unit which has the most structured day. All children, in all groups can choose whether to join in with the structured activities, or play independently with the learning resources in the play environment. The basis of all our plans is children’s free choice to explore and follow their interests, the adult planning for focused activities supplements children’s own exploration and learning.
The day is carefully balanced with a variety of child initiated play opportunities, adult initiated and adult led. In addition to the day structures and routine, in each room there is a carefully planning learning environment with a range of resources, toys, equipment and items for the children to play and learn with. We call this our continuous provision, this includes elements such as the construction and role play areas, small world play, mark making and this varies from room to room and is also carefully planned.
Day Structures and planning
Day plans and schedules – All groups, Autumn 2023/4
Day plans and schedules – All groups, Autumn 2022/3
Day plans and schedules – All groups, Autumn 2021/2
Weekly themes and circle time topics of the day