How we learn at Fish & Bricks
It is the strong belief of Fish & Bricks Pre-school that children will learn through play.
We are fortunate with the space we have, both indoors and outside. We encourage free flow access to the garden – whatever the weather!
Our sessions include:
- free play
- group time – adult and child-led
- stories
- time for physical play.
Often these blend!
We have a rich curriculum to support the developmental needs and interests of the children registered with us and this therefore varies and grows with our children.
We focus on the Prime areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, which are:
- Communication and Language
- Personal Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
We also create opportunities to explore, play and learn within the specific areas of the EYFS Framework, which include:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design.
Your child is an individual
On joining Fish & Bricks Pre-school, your child will be allocated a key person – this helps us ensure that we provide for your child’s specific, individual needs. A key person is a member of staff who monitors your child’s progress throughout their time with us at Pre-school and plans for their specific interests and needs.
We work in partnership with you, the parents or carers and welcome discussion with you on how your child is progressing, including sharing with you their learning journey with us and at home and steps we are working towards together.
Typical day
8.15 am Breakfast Club. Optional for a limited number of children. Booking required and there may be an additional cost.
9.15 am Arrival and Registration.
Small Group Time
Free Play. Children can explore and play in areas of their choice where they can move freely between two rooms and the garden.
Snack Time. This takes on different forms – sometimes all together, other times in small groups or a teddy-bears picnic etc.
Physical Activities. Could be the use of large equipment, climbing frame, tunnels, balancing beams, ball games, bikes, bean bags, hoppers, music and movement, drama, role-play, parachute, bubbles, obstacle course etc.
Story Time. In a small group, children will enjoy listening to and taking part in an interactive story time together. We may use props, role-play, puppets, story stones and technology.
Cosy Corner. We celebrate the day together and we sing a Goodbye song.
12.15 pm Hometime.
12.15 – 13:15 Lunch Club. Optional for a limited number of children. Booking required and there may be an additional cost.
Getting Involved
Fish & Bricks Pre-school is managed by a Management Committee made up of elected church members from Gateway Baptist Church who are responsible for finances, policy making and staffing.
We use the Tapestry tool to communicate with parents / carers and this is a wonderful opportunity for you to share in their learning experience with us. We also love for you to share with us using this tool, so that we can share your home experiences with children and their friends too.
We also invite parents, carers and grandparents to get involved in the life of Fish & Bricks – including:-
- Pre-school visit, before your child starts
- Key person meetings
- Welcome morning
- Notice board for daily news
- Compliments & Suggestions book
- Approachable, friendly relationships with the team
- Outings
- Fun Day
- Parents’ & Carers’ Friends’ Committee
- Parent/Carer rota – spending the morning in the setting
The Parents’ Rota is an ideal opportunity to get involved and see what your child experiences during a Fish & Bricks session. It is both important for the child and the parent. Note – ‘parents’ means Dads, Grandparents and Carers as well as Mums!
