What does your child do in nursery school - manager´s perspective

[KindMum]

HI, I´ve been visiting nursery schools for my DS and am astonished by what the manager of a (previously favourite) nursery said about his nursery. I tried to get the man to talk a little about what the children do and all I could elucidate is that they go to nursery to "play". Full stop. This nursery is the most expensive available in my area, has excellent facilities, great nursery staff school staff etc., a very good reputation. What do you think the role of a nursery is? Wasn´t it reasonable to expect a little bit more information than I got?! His attitude has really put me off signing up!

[Katymac]

I'm a childminder & my brochure says
"I am an OFSTED Registered Childminder working with a team of registered childminders and assistants providing high quality
childcare in a home environment. It is our intention that children at Walnut Corner are cuddled, loved and allowed to grow and learn through play. We aim to put into practice the framework of ?Birth to Three Matters? that encompasses all our values at Walnut Corner. "

Does that help?

Mind you we don't really "do" foundation stage

[KindMum]

Thanks Katymac! This nursery is for 3 year olds to pre-schoolers though (also has a Primary School attached)...

Yours is a much better response than the one I got!

[rebelmum1]

We're you asking a prospective customer?

[rebelmum1]

as a prospective customer i mean

[KindMum]

I was making visiting the school with a view to enrolling my DS. I wondered what MNs thought if they would be happy with the manager´s response that all the children do is pre-school is "play". No further information given. Not much of a sales pitch IMHO.

[meandmyflyingmachine]

Probably not. But it's all I look for in a nursery TBH. If they told me they spent lots of time in structured learning I'd be more concerned. I guess it depends what you're after really.

[ledodgy]

At dd's pre school which is attached to a state primary school the emphasis is on learning through play but they do hand out a syllabus so we know the structure they are following. They cover communication, language and literacy, mathematical development, Personal, social and emotional development, Physical development, creative development, knowledge and Understanding of the world inc History geography, natural environment, science, technology and food technology. This is not as scarey as it sounds geography means learning their home address and Little Bo Peep (folens geography), Technology is making houses out of boxes. Mathematics includes counting, money play, shapes etc. I would be expecting to be told things like this from a pre school manager.

[KindMum]

Thanks, I would be really pleased if I was given this tyype of information; just what I had expected!

[PinkTulips]

i'd be worried if they were doing anything other than play tbh... his sales pitch might lack a little eloquance but at that age that is basicallyt all they do and all they should be doing. yes they might learn through play but any sort of structured eduacation would have me running for the hills!

[Mercy]

But it is mostly play tbh! Even in reception they do 50% 'play'.

But on a more serious note, our state nursery school has a little prospectus and I would certainly would expect a private one to have one available for parents.

Ours explains what will happen in the first few weeks and what topics will be covered each half term but in more simple terms than ledodgy's example.

[KindMum]

Really interesting point you and others have made! I´m used to the type of pre-school with very large classes, structured learning, and small groups of children each "working" on an activity, and moving on to the next one. This is interspersed with free play and playground rough and tumble but is never the noisy chaotic environment I´ve seen in some pre-schools. I´d say there´s structure but of course they are still basically playing!