2-3's Playroom
We are Falkirk’s First Froebel Flagship Nursery. Our aim is to ensure that all children in our settings have access to high quality early learning through a range of experiences which are based on the principles of Friedrich Froebel, the creator of kindergarten. Froebel believed that children learn through ‘doing’ therefore we are providing real life experiences through core provision eg. Marvellous Meals, Block Play, Creativity, Clay and Engaging with Nature.
Importance of Play “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s sole” (Friedrich Froebel). Learning through play is widely acknowledged as a key component of good practice in Early Years. Here at Inchlair ELC Centre we value the importance of play based learning experiences. During play children naturally engage in a wide range of curricular areas. Our educators, by observing and evaluating play, provide suitably challenging experiences which further develop the child’s skills and outcomes within the curriculum. We ask open-ended questions and provocations to further enhance, scaffold or deepen each child’s interests in order to provide high quality learning opportunities. Through this the children become autonomous learners.
Block Play
Block play offers open-ended, creative learning experiences. It offers opportunities for children to build independently or with peers to develop team work.
Block play can support:
- Imagination
- Self-expression
- Problem-solving
- Mathematics
- Physical development
- Creativity
- Science
- Self-esteem
- Communication and literacy
Marvellous Meals
In line with current legislation and policy we follow the current nutritional guidelines, Setting the Table and Marvellous Meals.
Meal times should be a happy, relaxed and a sociable routine for all children. We actively encourage children to be independent and make choices. Children prepare and choose their own snacks and lunches. They have opportunites to bake or cook on a daily basis. We actively encourage from seed to plate to highlight the importance of sustainability.
We ensure that our mealtimes incorporate the following:
- Promotes children’s choice and voice
- Relaxed and unhurried atmosphere
- Role modelling
- Homelike and nurturing environments
- Positive social experiences for all
- Positive associations with food
- Cooking and baking experiences
- Healthy snack and mealtimes
- Positive Interactions
- We have a recipe station for children to choose what they would like to make
- Lunch menu runs on 3 week rotation, menus are on display
- We encourage parents to help their child choose their lunch at drop off. Each day there is a hot, cold or larder choice.
Creativity
Children having the opportunity to partcipate in a wide variety of creative experiences throughout the playroom and outdoors e.g. paint, dough, clay, junk modelling, pre-sewing, water, sand, mark making, role play, blocks etc.. These experiences provide children with open ended resources that inspires curiosity and exploration allowing them to explore the world around.
Creativity supports:
- Imagination
- Self-expression
- Problem-solving
- Mathematics
- Physical development
- Creativity
- Science
- Self-esteem
- Communication and literacy
Home Corner
Our home corner gives children the opportunity to role play real life experiences. It encourages interactions with peers. A wide variety of resources supports imaginative play.
Role play supports:
- Turn taking
- Imagination
- Self-expression
- Problem-solving
- Early maths
- Creativity
- Self-esteem
- Communication and literacy
Storytelling/Singing
Children will have the opportunity to express themselves freely through songs and rhymes. Knowlegable nurturing educators will be responsive to promoting storytelling throughout the child's day. Opportunities will be available either individually, small group or large group
Storytelling/Singing supports:
- Imagination
- Self-expression
- Early Maths
- Physical development
- Creativity
- Self-esteem
- Communication and literacy
Outdoors
Here at Inchlair ELCC the children have access to outdoors every day regardless of the weather. Whilst outdoors children will have opportunities for physical exercise, planting & growing, risky play, sand & water etc.
Children also have the opportunity to access and explore our local woodlands and community.
Outdoor experiences support:
- Imagination
- Self-expression
- Problem-solving
- Mathematics
- Physical development
- Creativity
- Science
- Self-esteem
- Communication and literacy