Our Owls room is for the pre-schoolers before they begin school. Children are taught by qualified Early Years Teachers and experienced level three early years practitioners. Our teachers and practitioners are trained in various initiatives such as Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, Squiggle Me into a Writer, Dough Disco, and a range of phonics programmes to encourage the children to reach their full potential and be as ready for school as they can be.

 In this room we focus on building all the skills children need to succeed in Reception. We begin phonics through using an approach based on Letters and Sounds that focuses on sound discrimination which helps to develop the children’s listening skills that they need to learn to read as they start school. We also focus on small group activities to build mathematical skills which are similar to the lessons they will have at school. We also encourage the children to practice important self-care skills and to develop their independence by encouraging the children to zip up their own coats and put their own shoes on. They are also encouraged to grow in confidence and make friends through group games and circle times.

The children in preschool love to play with messy play scenes in our tuff tray, build in the construction area, role play in the kitchen, and play with our small world toys. The children go outside throughout the day to explore their garden, which has its own cabin with heating, electricity and a bathroom so we can stay outside as long as the children want to. Our garden also has a small playhouse, a sand area with a pirate ship to explore, a picnic area for eating outside on sunny days, balancing equipment, and a separate gardening area so the children can grow their own vegetables and explore nature.

Children in preschool also perform in our Graduation Ceremony, which is held every year for children who will be leaving nursery to go to school. They are presented with a certificate and medal to commemorate the time they have spent here, and join in singing a selection of their favourite songs to their parents.