FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How Do I Find Out How My Child Is Progressing?
Good question. We share you child's progress with you in a number of ways. When your child joins us, we use any existing records we get and our own assessments to find out the things your child can do. Once we have a starting point, we then give the appropriate opportunities to learn and develop, observing and adapting as we go. We share updates with you in a number of ways; firstly, we will discuss positives with you on a daily basis. We send work home as often as we can, and the children's progress is also added to records on Babysdays which you can access (please ask if you aren't sure how to use this.) Once a term we will arrange a parents' meeting with you and give you a summary of the term's progress. You will be able to see some of the things your child has been learning. At the end of the year, you will receive your child's annual report and their 'learning journey' - a sort of scrapbook of achievements, work and creative pieces. We monitor progress constantly. If we have any concerns or see any important milestones reached, we will let you know as soon as possible.
Q. If you are a pre-school, how do you prepare my child for school?
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academically; by working to give your child the basic educational foundation on which to build a successful school life - recognition and writing of their name, basic number recognition in and out of sequence (as high as they can go), grouping and sequencing, writing with the correct pencil-grip, the beginnings of care for (and pride in) good work, good reading behaviour including fostering a love of books and the sharing of them, and much more!
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structure and routine; although your child must be allowed to choose activities for themselves at the preschool level, to develop identity, interaction and independence, the day at our preschool has a structure that prepares them for school. From registration and organising of belongings, to sitting quietly to listen and learn, eating socially, taking care of hygiene, developing manners in a social setting, orderly moving around the building (lining up), recognising that rules help us, and so on.
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socially; we offer them opportunities to learn about interacting with other children at work and at play, exploring the need for sharing, taking turns, listening to the ideas of others and taking care of each other. The language developments alone that socialising encourages are invaluable. The most fundamental preparation - the experience that being away from the family is not only bearable but also rewarding and enjoyable for some of the day.