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Pre-School

junior room

Junior Room (3 to 5 years)

In the Junior Room your child will have the opportunity to experience a range of activities which meet all five areas of the curriculum. Your child will be introduced to early reading, writing, maths and science skills.  These activities are delivered in a fun, relaxed manner allowing all children to learn naturally through play.  Each child is encouraged to learn at their own pace within their own capabilities.
Junior Room Activities

The children in the Junior Room can participate in all the activities mentioned previously for the Baby Room and Toddler Room although these activities are more structured in the Junior Room and offered at a level suited to their age. In the Junior Room your child will also have the opportunity to experience:

Interest Tables e.g. a harvest table with wheat, flour, bread or a beach table with shells, sand, pebbles, seaweed.  The children are encouraged to experiment and explore the items on the table freely.

Writing Table - to introduce your child to mark making and ‘writing’ using a variety of pens and pencils.  Your child will be encouraged to use the writing table freely which develops pencil control for more formal writing later.

Science Experiments e.g. simply showing the children that flowers ‘drink’ water by placing a white flower in a vase of coloured water ? the flower will become the colour of the water.

Computer Skills - your child will have access to a computer, printer and digital camera in the Junior Room.  Interactive, educational software helps your child learn basic mouse skills such as point, click, point and drag, scrolling etc.  Your child will be able to take their own photographs and print them out to include in their portfolio if they wish.  There are also many other interactive games and resources available for your child to use.

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Curriculum Framework (3 - 5 Years)

The Curriculum Framework (3 - 5 Years) was introduced by the Scottish Office to ensure pre-school children’s developmental needs are met.  The emphasis is on learning through play in a relaxed atmosphere.  There are five areas of the curriculum:

Emotional Personal and Social Development

Your child will be encouraged to:

 

Develop confidence, self esteem and a sense of security.

Care for themselves and their personal safety.

Develop independence in dressing and personal hygiene.

Persevere in tasks that at first present some difficulties.

Form positive relationships with children and adults.

Respect the needs and feelings of others and learn to follow rules.

Make and express choices, plans and decisions.

Play co-operatively, take turns and share resources.

Become aware that the celebration of festivals is important in everyone’s lives.

Develop attitudes towards others whose gender, language, religions or culture is different from their own.

Care for the environment and people in their community.

 


Communication and Language

Your child will be encouraged to:

 

Have fun with language and making stories.

Listen to children and adults during social activities and play.

Listen with enjoyment and respond to stories, songs, rhymes and poetry.

Listen and respond to the sounds and rhythm of words in stories, songs, music and rhymes.

Listen to information and instructions from an adult.

Talk about themselves and their experiences.

Express thoughts, needs and feelings with increasing confidence.

Take part in short and more extended conversations.

Use talk during role play and to re-tell a story or rhyme.

Use language for a variety of purposes e.g. explain, predict and ask questions.

Use books to find interesting information.

Recognise the link between the written and the spoken word.Understand some of the language and layout of books.

Develop an awareness of letter names and sounds.

Experiment with symbols and letters in writing.

Recognise some familiar words and letters.

 

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Physical Development

Your child  will be encouraged to:

 

Enjoy energetic activity both indoors and out.

Explore ways in which they can use their bodies in physical activity.

Use their bodies to express ideas and feelings through music.

Run, jump, skip, climb, balance, throw and catch with increasing skill and confidence.

Co-operate with others during physical play and games.

Develop increasing control of fine movements in their fingers and hands.

Develop an awareness of space.

Be safe in movement and using tools and equipment.

Be aware of the importance of health and fitness.

 

 

Expressive and Aesthetic Development

Your child will be encouraged to:

 

Investigate and use a variety of media such as painting, drawing, printing and modelling with clay and other materials.

Express thoughts and feelings in pictures, paintings and models.

Use role play or puppets to recreate and invent situations.

Use verbal and non-verbal language in role play.

Listen and respond to sounds, rhythms, songs and music.

Make music by singing, clapping and playing instruments.

Use instruments to invent music to express thoughts and feelings.

Move rhythmically and expressively to music.

Participate in simple dances and singing games.

 

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Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Your child will be encouraged to:

 

Develop their powers of observation using their senses.

Recognise objects by sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.

Ask questions, experiment, design and solve problems.

Recognise patterns, shapes and colours in the world around them.

Sort and categorise things into groups.

Understand properties of materials e.g. rough/smooth, soft/hard.

Understand the routines and jobs of familiar people.

Become familiar with places in the local area.

Become aware of everyday uses of technology and use these appropriately.

Care for living things (pets, plants).

Develop an appreciation of natural beauty and a sense of wonder about the world.  

Be aware of daily time sequences.

Be aware of change and effect e.g. their own growth, weather changes, plants.

Understand and use mathematical processes such as counting, measuring, sorting, grouping.

Identify and use numbers up to ten during play experiences and counting games.

Recognise familiar shapes.

 
Spanish Teacher

Our visiting Spanish teacher teaches the children Spanish through songs, games and stories making it a fun introduction to a new language for your child. The children thoroughly enjoy these lessons and are always keen to participate.  The Spanish lessons are for children aged 3 to 5 years.
Dancing

Your child will have the opportunity to have fun and keep fit when our dance teacher visits. The dance sessions are always lively and enjoyed enthusiastically by everyone.  Children from 3 to 5 years participate in the dance sessions. 

Fitness Sessions

Trainers from Ross County Football Club and a visiting fitness coach provide fun fitness sessions for the children in the Toddler Room and Junior Room.  These sessions involve team games, ball skills and musical games.  The children look forward to these sessions and participate enthusiastically. 
Progress Reports

Each child at Cradle-Hall Nursery, (at Birth to Three stage and Curriculum Framework stage), have their own portfolio which staff complete regularly to record your child’s milestones and achievements.  You will receive two progress reports per year detailing your child’s progress and development and you are welcome to view your child’s portfolio at any time.

Highland Council Education Department

Cradle-Hall Nursery works in partnership with Highland Council Education Department to provide the pre-school curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 years.  Our Co-ordinator Teacher from the Education Department visits the nursery regularly to offer support to the nursery staff and children.

Cradle-Hall Nursery conducts a thorough on-going self evaluation audit including parent’s and children’s questionnaires.  A development plan is then sent to the Education Department annually detailing the audit and the action plans for the coming year.

 

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Transition to Primary 1

Our nursery staff are aware of the important step a child takes when beginning Primary School therefore we ensure that each child is supported in this transition.

A developmental report is completed by our staff for your child’s Primary 1 teacher.  You will be given a copy of the report to read and comment on prior to your child’s school receiving it.
Parents Evenings

Parents Evenings are held once a year for all children in the Junior Room.  Although the nursery staff are available on a daily basis, this gives you the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and transition to Primary 1 in a relaxed atmosphere on an individual basis. 

Nativity Play

Each Christmas the children in the Junior Room will perform a nativity play for their families.  Christmas is always an exciting time for children and they relish to opportunity to tell the Christmas story through their performance.
Graduation

A graduation party and ceremony is held each summer for all the children moving on to Primary School. This is a very proud day for everyone, although it can be emotional.