If your three - four year old is attending nursery school

[MrsFogi]

Can you tell me what they do there? Is it all play or do they get taught to read and write? Do they choose what they do or do they get told what they're doing. If they do get taught to read/write what sort of standard to they get to by the age of four?

Oh and what about counting and maths?

Whatever they do is determined by government guidelines. I think they have structured activities and free play. I can't say I think too much about it as I think if they are developing socially at that age that is enough. My eldest two could recognise their names and do some number related things befor school but not much more. They both, however, were very relaxed and confident about going to school because of their positive nursery experience. Remember also that early years primary work mirrors the play type environment you are probably familiar with in nursery.

They have structured activities which encompass all of these things through play.ds did some phonics in pre school butr it wasn't "rammed down his throat"

Nursery had outstanding ofsted fwiw.

At this age I think play is the most important thing.They have time enough at school to do all the reading/writing etc.

dd at same nursey though awaiting statement for sn.Both very happy there.

lOTS OF "messy" play,stories,simple number and letters,music,it,outdoors,but mainly play

ds could write his name,recognised some numbers/letters.dd obviously can't,but the main thing is if they seem happy

Much as the others mixture of structured activities and free play. I think they aim for them to be able to recognise the letters and their sounds, recognise numbers up to 20 (and be able to count to 20 forwards and backwards) and be able to write their own names by the time they finish. Some will be able to do more and (I imagine) some less it all seems to be handled in a very softly-softly, no pressure sort of way.

nurseries follow the early years foundation stage, which continues until the end of reception year at school. The emphasis is on learnig through play. Children have choice and are supported in their learning in 6 different areas: communication, language and literacy, physical development, creative development, knowledge and understanding of the world,personal, social and emotional development and reasoning, problem solving and numeracy. Chldren are prepared for school but not necessarily by learning to read and write. Social skills and self-help skills are more important than being able to write their name. We are building the foundations for life long learning.

Both my boys go to Nursery DS1 is 4 and goes 5 morning a week, DS2 is 2 and goes 2 mornings a week.

Since being at nursery DS1 has learnt to read simple words and write him and his brothers name, he could already count and already knew colours but now knows the alphabet as well, but they also do alot of craft and play.

DS2 does only really play and craft.

They also learn songs and dances and help prepare snacks to give them a basic knowlage of food, they also go on nature walks and trips to the local park to learn about how to behave outside.