Learning Through Play
Although daily play varies greatly at Pippin, there is a general routine, which creates stability and comfort.
At 9am, the children arrive. Parents and carers are encouraged to stay for a few minutes to socialise with the staff, and each other, and this is when there is an opportunity to speak with the staff and to raise any concerns or problems.
Registration takes place at approximately 9.10am. There is then a free choice of activity until around 9.45am when the children take turns to use the toilet, wash and dry their hands and move into a separate room in small groups for a snack. The snack is different each day and it will include 2 pieces of fruit or vegetables and a savoury biscuit, for example breadsticks, or semi sweet biscuit, e.g. a digestive. The pre-school provides milk or water to drink but children are welcome to bring in their own juice from home, if they prefer.
At approximately 10.30am-10.45am is circle time, which gives the children a chance to talk about any items they have brought in relating to the topic of the week. If the weather allows, 10.45am is time for outside play in our large enclosed play area. When the weather is unpleasant, the children can use the soft-play items, the activity gym or take part in dance and movement. This is followed at 11.10am by more free play until 11.30am when the children are encouraged to help tidy away the smaller toys and puzzles.
Finally, at 11.45am stories and rhymes are told and sung until parents and carers arrive to collect the children at 12pm.
