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Learning at Riverside Playgroup
We ensure that a different range of activities, materials, equipment and games are available and easily-accessible to the children each day, reflecting the current topic and incorporating different areas of learning and development; role-playing, arts and crafts, literacy and numeracy games, ‘messy’ texture-based play, cooking activities, etc.
Our teachers have had years of experience in childcare, are qualified and DBS checked, and are deeply passionate about what they do. All staff hold, or are working towards, NVQ level 3 childcare qualifications, and hold additional qualifications in paediatric first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene. Managerial staff also hold level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead qualifications.
Early Years Foundation Stage
We provide learning opportunities to nurture children’s development within the seven areas of learning. This includes:
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Communication and language
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Personal, social and emotional development
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Physical development
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Expressive arts and design
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Understanding the world
We expect that children will foster close, nurturing relationships with all members of staff, however we use a key-person system to enable children to build secure attachments and facilitate the close monitoring of their development.
A child’s key-person is allocated to them based on which member of staff a child gravitates towards most. This may be observed within the first few weeks, or may take longer as the child settles into the playgroup.
Our Curriculum
As part of our curriculum, we explore a range of real-world topics with the children on a week-by-week basis. These provide themes for activities, games and discussions and promote children’s understanding of the wider world and encourage them to engage in a community environment.
Activities and games aimed at various stages of development are available so every child can engage, and staff are always there to support and extend their learning. Staff also initiate various topical activities throughout the day, such as crafts, reading, dance, singing, games, show and tell, and more.
Download the curriculum for our current term here.
Development Tracking
We use development benchmarks within each of the seven areas to assess how effective our educational provisions are in preparing children for primary school. These benchmarks are devised from the EYFS Statutory Framework, Development Matters guidance, the 17 Early Learning Goals, and the professional experience of our staff.
Through monitoring children’s development, we can identify areas where they may need extra support or challenge and implement this accordingly. We value each child as a competent learner and unique individual who develops at their own pace.
Preparation for School
As part of our role in facilitating our children’s transition into primary school, each keyworker will communicate with reception staff at their key children’s schools during the summer term before they are due to leave Riverside. Keyworkers will provide reports on children’s progress, attend meetings with reception staff and work in partnership with parents to ensure every child’s transition is as smooth as possible.