Child Centered Environment
Our environment, (through the use of displays, equipment, furnishings and a well-planned layout), encourages imagination and curiosity while achieving the right balance between an exciting, secure, and comfortable place to be. All the furnishings are designed specifically for the children, ensuring their comfort. The rooms are bright, cheery, and have small areas set out for specific activities. Our rule is that if the children don't use it, change it. The children are encouraged to be responsible for their environment, and to take an active role in planning and monitoring their own learning. The teachers plans the sessions with the children, using their ideas as well as their own. The children are encouraged to discuss their strengths and weaknesses in a positive fashion and take part in planning their own learning path.
Hands On Active Learning
All the activities in the school are for the children to use whenever they want to. The children work independently or in small groups: In the same room you may have a group working on the art table, a group conducting an experiment in the water tray, a group designing boats in the construction area and a group working on their workbooks.
Curriculum
We follow the English education system curriculum for the 2-7yr olds. The pre school groups and the green group, use the Early Learning Goals (E.L.G’s) as the basis for planning their curriculum, while the schoolroom children in the red group follow the English Key Stage 1 National Curriculum. More details about these are available in the ‘ICEC School Policy File’, which is available for parents to look at on request.
Under Fours
Here the emphasis is placed on all-round basic development and on encouraging that development in all areas: physical, intellectual, communication, social and emotional. This gradually leads to a more definite focus on hand-eye co-ordination work (holding a pencil, sticking, finger painting) and then pre-reading and number/letter skills.
Four to Fives
At 4 the children begin a more structured system which includes some elements from the ‘High Scope’ method So while the children are continuing to develop their skills, they are also being encouraged to make positive and informed choices, and take more control over their own learning.
Five plus
At 5 the children enter our reception class (schoolroom) where they will continue with the early learning goals until the reach approx. 6yrs of age when we are then guided by the English National Curriculum Key Stage 1.
MUSIC, ART, DANCE, AND MULTI-CULTURAL EDUCATION, continue throughout the curriculum. |
