St John’s Nursery Playgroup organises its sessions so that the children can choose from - and work at - a range of activities and in so doing, build up their ability to select and work through a task to its completion. The children are also helped and encouraged to take part in adult-led small and large group activities which introduce them to new experiences and help them to gain new skills, as well as helping them to learn to work with others. Outdoor activities contribute to children's health, their physical development and their knowledge of the world around them. We have a small outside play-area, which has had a rubberised surface laid, with a large planter in which the children help us to grow bulbs and plants. We aim to use our outside area as an extension to the indoor play provision. As such we can, especially in the dry season, move most of our learning areas such as construction, problem solving and writing outside. Outside play equipment is also provided to help children with their gross motor skills development. Everyday items such as bread/milk crates, old tyres, planks and wooden stepping stones provide a wealth of imaginative and active play. The children have the opportunity and are encouraged to take part in outdoor activities, as well as those provided in the indoor playroom/s. A ramp to the outside play area makes it accessible for all children Snack Time The playgroup aims to provide healthy snacks for the children. We have a fruit sharing day once a week wherein each child is asked to bring in a piece of fruit, or vegetable if preferred, which is then shared at snack time. On the other days we provide healthy snacks for example carbohydrates - wholemeal bread, pita bread and pancakes; fruit/vegetable – vegetable sticks, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and protein - cheese. Milk and water is provided at snack time wherein we are supporting the children to pour their own drinks from small jugs. We endeavour to introduce new food particularly if we are celebrating a cultural celebration for example Diwali, where we served Popadoms. Lunch Club St John’s runs a very successful and enjoyable lunch club. The children eat their lunch together along with two members of staff. It’s a lovely opportunity for social interaction in a smaller grouping and after they have helped tidy away their lunch things, there are games or dressing up, bikes and weather permitting, we make use of our outdoor play area. We believe snack time and lunch club to be important social times at which the children and adults eat together and talk about all sorts of things. Please tell us about your child's dietary needs and we will do our upmost to make sure these are met. Please remember not to include any food containing nuts (especially peanut butter) into your child's lunchbox for lunch club. Clothing The playgroup provides protective clothing for the children when they play with messy activities for example corn flour or painting. We ask for all children to be provided with plimsoles or soft indoor shoes as well as sturdier shoes for outside play. Any clothing brought from home especially coats, jumpers and the change of clothes you provide, need to be clearly named. We like to go outside even during winter, so warm coats are essential. The playgroup staff encourage children to gain the skills which help them to be independent and to look after themselves. Clothes which are easy for them to manage will help them to achieve their independence. If you are in the process of toilet training with your child, we would appreciate pull ups instead of nappies as this helps at toilet time making it more comfortable for the child and facilitates the staff. The Daily Routine (note: all timings are approximate) 9:00 or 9:15 am* Early children arrive through upper room – children are signed in and self register by finding their name on name board, which they hang on the bag/coat rack in the corridor. 9:15 - 11:30 am Free-flow play: (outside and inside). Children choose from a variety of child and adult led activities which cover the 6 areas of learning as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children can choose to be either outside or inside, enabling their play to flow between the two environments. 10.00-11.00 am Rolling snack: Children wash hands then come to the snack table at any time they choose during this period. Children are offered either milk or water and a healthy snack option, such as fruit. A member of staff sits with the children and encourages them to pour their own drink and clear their cup away at the end. 11:15 am Toilet time: Children are called out to the toilet in small groups. 11:30 am Counting Time: Children sit round the edge of carpet and are counted with help from Polly Parrot. Children are then encouraged to help the adults to tidy away the toys. 11:40 am Music/movement session: Adults lead the children through action songs and nursery rhymes, often related to the current theme. 11:55 am Story Time/Circle time: Children are read a story, discuss the current theme, talk about celebrations or special events, either as a large group or split into keyworker group. (Twice a week Margaret Rhodes takes a small group into the Upper Room for a group music session) 12:10 pm Home Time: Letters and craft work is handed out to children and; lunch clubbers are called to sit in book corner with staff. 12:15 or 13:15 pm Departing children wait on carpet until called individually as parent/carer arrives to collect. *Early starts (9 am) are available on request for a small additional fee. All other children start at 9.15.