Really good Early Years teaching or lack of discipline?

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

DS moving up to "big nursery" this month as he turns 3. The nursery is very large and set up as lots of workshops. The children choose where they go and what they do I am told. I was chatting to one of the teachers and asked her what would happen in a child 'only' chose outside/computers etc and teh teacher explained the would take the learning 'to' that area, so maths outside on the computer etc. What I am wondering is when do they learn to go where they are told!?? Sorry I am sure I just don't get it but I assume school would be a bit of a shock then?

There will be non -negotiable times as well such as meals, storys etc. Its about helping a child learn in the way appropriate to them. So for example a child likes to be outside, so instead of playing a maths game indoors at a table they might be matching numbered bikes to numbered spaces outside. Outcome is the same and child is happy learning rather than seeing learning as a negative thing.

Sounds like you have picked a great nursery. Ds will have a ball and learn lots.

Fabulous- you are very lucky. Reception should be largely like this as well and so school shouldn't be a shock.

Sounds really good to me too.

They will still have to line up at lining-up time and sit still at story time etc.

TBH FS2 ie reception at school should be broadly similar, with lots of "choosing" as my DC call it, ie free (ish) play.

In fact that continues in some form at our school through yr 1 as well (and yr2s rather like it too!)

Sounds great to me :)

I was unsure about this before my DD started preschool as I always thought formal education was better, but having seen my preschooler learn through play has really opened my eyes.

I asked my friend who teaches reception about it and she said it's quite normal for children to stick to one activity for a while, although it's unlikely as there is so much to choose from.

I asked my DD's keyworker (and started an MN thread in a fit of PFB panic!) if it was worrying that DD spent most of her time outside, but it's fine. She does the compulsory stuff like lining up and story time, and is well behaved. It's just that she is an active girl. She's happy and has learnt so much, despite the fact that every day when I ask her what she's been up to she unfailingly says "I rode a bike" :o

At my childrens' nursery and school they have a form of this. Each child has a name badge (or photo badge for pre-readers) with a velcro back, each area has a board up with spaces to stick the name badge. So for example, the painting area may have 4 spaces for badges and when a child chooses this area they stick their badge on, once it is full that is the maximum amount of children allowed in that area at any one time. This helps them to turn-take and make choices for themselves. Also, the nursery will be clever about rotating the activities so that they fit in with the outcomes they planned for. The children are given choices but it is under the close guidance of the staff. As others have said, they will also have things like story time where they have to sit altogether and listen. It is a lovely way to give them some independence but gradually introduce a more structured environment. At 3, it is all about learning through play and you will be amazed at what your ds accomplishes over the next couple of years in an environment which is not pressured and, more importantly, is fun.

Well that makes me feel 100% better! Thanks all. I think it has just dawned on me that I am so much less in control now......not sure I like it!