Our Approaches to Learning and Development - Clapham Preschool

Learning through Play

Play helps young children to learn and develop through doing and talking, which research has shown to be the means by which young people learn to think. Our setting uses the Early Years Foundation Stage document to plan and provide a range of play activities which help children to make progress in each of the areas of learning and development. In some activities, children decide how they will use the activity, and in others the adult takes the lead in helping children to take part in the activity. In all activities information from the EYFS document has been used to decide what equipment to provide and how to provide it.

Records of Achievement

The preschool keeps a learning and achievement profile for each child. Your child’s profile helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well-being and to make progress. We will discuss your child’s progress with you and provide a written Record of Achievement for all children leaving for Lower School.

Assessment

We assess how children are learning and developing by observing them frequently. We use information gained from observations, as well as from focussed activities and photographs to document their progress and where this may be leading them and identifying next steps.

We believe that parents know their children best, and we ask them to contribute by sharing information about what their children like to do at home, and how they as parents are supporting development.

This information is shared through entries in each child’s family book with parents/carers and keyperson. This enables both you as parents and us as practitioners to comment on your child’s learning experiences and development and celebrate their achievements.

We do not get to talk to all parents at the end of the session, so it is a vital communication link and helps build a partnership between preschool and family life.