Learning Through Play
“Children have opportunities to choose resources and join in planned activities. They are confident, enjoy learning and are happy and settled … Children develop the skills they need for later learning. They learn to cooperate and recognise the value of working together.”
We believe passionately in learning through play, which is why we have named ourselves a Playgroup!
Play is serious work for children, not an alternative activity. We believe that play is necessary and important for enabling children to:
Gain knowledge, skills, concepts and attitudes in a meaningful context.
Make informed choices becoming confident independent learners.
Work at their own pace in a non-competitive environment.
Achieve success and acknowledge failure as part of the learning process.
Learn to express and deal with their emotions behaving appropriately.
Begin to shape attitudes and make sense of the world.
Gain confidence, self esteem and develop a sense of personal identity.
EYFS Framework & Assessment
We plan our topics and activities to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework. Our staff make sure activities are suited to children’s individual needs and interests. As an Ofsted-registered provider, we must follow this framework, which has been developed by the Government to set standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. Children complete the EYFS at the end of their Reception year in primary school.
The EYFS Framework includes an assessment of children’s progress between age 2 and 3, which we undertake at playgroup. The assessments are based on classroom observations which we make continuously and share with you via our online learning journal, Tapestry. There is no formal testing. Progress is assessed against the Government’s early learning goals and discussed with parents.
The EYFS is organised into the following areas of learning.
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The Prime Areas are particularly important for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. They are the most essential for children’s healthy development and future learning. Children mostly develop these areas first.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development As children develop a positive sense of themselves and respect others; they develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings and understand appropriate behaviour in groups.
Communication and Language Development Giving children the opportunity to speak and listen in a range of situations and to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves.
Physical Development Children will have the opportunity to be active and interactive, to develop co-ordination, control and movement; they will be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and healthy choices in food.
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As children grow, their learning in the prime areas helps them develop skills in these specific areas:
Expressive Arts and Design Children will be supported to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities for sharing their thoughts and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role play and design technology.
Literacy The children will be encouraged to read and write by listening to others reading and being encouraged to begin to read and write themselves, and being given access to a wide range of reading materials.
Mathematics Children will be provided with opportunities to practise their skills in counting numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems and describing shapes, spaces and measures.
Understanding of the World Children will be guided to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore and observe people, places, technology and the environment.
Timetables
Each week every room will take part in a PE session 09:15 - 09:45 and outdoor explorers (whole morning outdoor activities).
PE Timetable, Autumn 2026
Outdoor Explorers Timetable, Autumn 2026
Timings are subject to change due to other activities we may be doing.
The timetable for the afternoon is the same apart from the Pre-school room, as it is only open Monday and Thursday afternoons.
Blue & Green Rooms
Pre-School
08:00 - 09:00: Self registration and free play for children attending early risers.
09:00: Self registration and table top activities.
09:15: Focus group time (small groups of children doing focussed learning)
09:20: Circle time/holding Guinea pigs
09:30: Free play and adult led topic activities
09:40: Self registration, free play and any adult led activities.
10:15: Tidy up for snack time
10:15: Tidy up for snack time
10:30: Snack time (The children pick their own snack and pour their own drinks.
After snack the children wash up their own cups and bowls, then go to get their coats to go outside)
10:35: Snack time (The children cut up their own snack and pour their own drinks)
10:50: Storytime / alphabet box
11:00: All of the children go outside to play
11:10: Outside play
12:00: Home time/Lunch time
12:00: Home time/Lunch time
11:50: The children come in for singing
11:45: The children come in for circle time/singing/story.