ulip, our pre-nursery class, welcomes toddlers aged two to three years. Children are encouraged to develop and extend a variety of skills in preparation for the entry into the nursery department of the school.

In the Tulip room staff work closely with children by participating in their play and ensuring that they develop and encourage their language and communication skills. Staff talk and listen to children to develop and extend children’s knowledge and understanding of the world. Children are planned for individually but staff ensure they recognise the spontaneous learning opportunities where children can be extended.

Activities available each day include: music and movement; creative development including messy play, play dough, role play, sand play, threading, baking, computer games, books, clay; and mathematical and literacy games. Through these activities children develop both the fine motor and the foundation skills they need for numeracy and literacy. Children are encouraged to play alongside their peers to develop and extend their communication and social skills, such as negotiation and maintaining conversations with peers and adults. Each day children have access to our beautiful garden which allows them to investigate and explore the natural world.

Mat times are planned twice daily to encourage and improve concentration skills, enabling children to follow instructions, recall information and develop their conversational skills.

Each child has a key person who communicates with parents to ensure there is as much continuity between the home and school as possible. Staff support children as they develop their self-help skills and begin to look after their personal care.