Education for pre-school children
Pre-school education is available at school nursery classes, a private day nursery or at a pre-school playgroup.
The curriculum
The curriculum for three to five year old children is the foundation stage curriculum, which is split into six areas of learning:1. Personal, social and emotional development
This is essential to help all children as they grow up. They are taught about emotional wellbeing, knowing themselves and developing their relationships with others. They learn to respect other people’s opinions and cultures and they are also helped to develop a positive attitude to learning and problem solving.2. Developing communication, language and literacy
Children are encouraged to speak and listen effectively in different situations and are given opportunities to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings. They are introduced to a wide range of stories and rhymes and begin to enjoy the purpose and meaning of written language. They also begin to learn to read and write.3. Mathematical development
Mathematical understanding is developed in a variety of activities so that children can learn to use maths in every day situations. They are taught skills including counting, sorting, matching, ordering and pattern making, as well as working with numbers, shapes, spaces and measures.4. Knowledge and understanding of the world
This builds a foundation for later learning about science, design and technology, information and communication technology, history and geography. Children are encouraged to be curious, to ask questions, to experiment and to solve problems. They develop the skills and knowledge to help them understand the world that they live in.5. Physical development
Children physically develop very rapidly in their early years so they need to be active. They are taught to move with confidence and control and to handle equipment effectively and must improve their co-ordination and manipulation as well as developing a positive sense of wellbeing.6. Creative development
Through playing, imitating and experimenting, children can learn about the aspects of art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play. Creativity brings excitement and independence to learning.Although the curriculum is split into these sections, the activities and experiences that pre-school children will take part in will overlap different aspects of the curriculum. Life is not separated into sections and early education must reflect this.
Playtime
Play is another essential part of early education and means children can learn with enjoyment. Through play, children:
- Learn to feel safe and secure
- Explore, practice and make sense of the world
- Build new concepts and skills
- Learn how to work with, and alongside, others
- Take risks and make mistakes
- Be creative and use their imagination
- Investigate, experiment and solve problems
- Learn to understand their own needs and the needs of others
- Communicate with each other
- Express their fears, anxieties and excitement.
Financial help
All children are eligible to receive the nursery education grant from the first term after their third birthday.Finding an early education centre
You can log onto the national website www.childcarelink.gov.uk where you can find information for most registered childcare centres in Warrington or contact the Families Information Service.
Related pages:
External websites:
Contact us:
Families Information Service
3rd floor, New Town House
Buttermarket Street
Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 443131
Email: fis@warrington.gov.uk
