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Preschool education

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Once they starts at preschool - what will they be doing?......messy play every morning?

14 replies

Biglips · 08/08/2007 10:02

as i dont have a clue??

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IsabelWatchingItRainInMacondo · 08/08/2007 10:10

I really don't know. I confess DS didn't attend preschool as it was impossible for us to take him to a 2.5 hrs session during our work day. But when I checked it, it looked very much like a nursery, the only difference being that his nursery had much a better program than that particular preschool so I kept him there.

It could be that his nursery is a fantastic nursery, or that the preschool was a bad one but the only "advantage" I saw on the preschool was that DS would be used to the building in his new school. (and yeah, to some children but he would have got used to them anyway during reception)

MaloryTowersHasManners · 08/08/2007 10:10

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WigWamBam · 08/08/2007 10:12

When dd was at preschool they could choose what they wanted to do most of the time. There was always a sandpit, water play, clay, painting, computer games, Lego, wooden blocks, jigsaw puzzles, dressing-up, Wendy house, a themed role-play area (changed every couple of weeks - vets, pet shop, cafe), quiet room with books, drawing, tracing.

They would then have something different set up every day that all the children would have a go at - a craft activity such as weaving, a sensory activity such as putting your hands into various different bowls of gooey stuff, baking cakes, singing. Plus they had a French teacher for one morning and one afternoon session a week, just for half an hour to learn French songs and some basic French words.

They would also do something "academic" every day - a little bit of writing, numbers, draw something and describe it, pencil control.

Plus they had circle time at the beginning of the session, where they would do something together - look at colours, talk about things they had done. There was a break for playtime morning and afternoon, and at the end of the day they had story time.

If you talk to the pre-school they will be able to tell you how they plan their day.

MaloryTowersHasManners · 08/08/2007 10:13

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Biglips · 08/08/2007 10:21

she will be 3

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JARM · 08/08/2007 10:23

What WWB said!

Although, Jessica starts a nursery attatched to a school in September (also 3) so Im not sure how different it will be.

MaloryTowersHasManners · 08/08/2007 10:24

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Biglips · 08/08/2007 13:23

wow...i didnt think they would do "academic" stuff that young as thought that was all in the primary school..

well im due for a home check next month and i will able to ask a few questions then

thanks everyone x

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MaloryTowersHasManners · 08/08/2007 13:38

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aintnomountainhighenough · 08/08/2007 21:49

Please don't assume that they will do academic stuff, the pre-school my DD went to has done nothing academic with her. My experience is that nurseries do more academic stuff, for example my DD had started learning her phonics at nursery but this stopped at pre-school, she only knows her phonic sounds etc because we have done them with her.

Personally I would say you need to decide what sort of pre-school you want for your DC and the go around have a look and ask some questions.

Good luck!

IsabelWatchingItRainInMacondo · 09/08/2007 00:09

DS is meant to start reception in January, but thanks to the work in the nursery he is now reading 3-4 letter words, counts up to 60, and do some simple adding and substraction and.... he seems to be the one behind in his group.

Was talking to a friend yesterday and she said that although in her nursery they do not emphasize reading as much, they are doing makaton as a standard.

It is incredible how more academic early years education has become. A few years ago, it was asumed it was not possible for children to go in such detail at this age, or even enjoy the process.

Clary · 09/08/2007 01:54

My DC all went to the same excellent nursery school where they had a whole range of play options, including creative stuff, messy play (water/sand/textures/soft stuff etc), puzzles and games, dressing up, role play toys etc.

They also played outdoors and learned useful things for school - making a line, sitting still for a story, having snack and drink together etc.

It was very child led tho if a child never did any creative they would gently encourage them to com eand do a picture or whatever.

They used themes and had visits and other activities linked in eg policeman came in, had chicks hatching (very exciting) etc.

It was so fab and brought them all on so much and over the whole FS spectrum.

In other words what WWb said, tho perhaps less emphasis on letters and number sunless children showed an interest.

Rainbow · 09/08/2007 02:09

Lots of people get confused over this. Pre-school is another name for nursery. I will warn you now Big Lips don't send DD in anything you are not prepared to get ruined and be prepared for minor bumps and scrapes. She will have a sand tray and tray. She will have access to a computer, paint (stains are possible), glue, scissors (clothes can get caught and accidentally snipped!!), books, pencils, crayons, playdough and maybe shaving foam, cornflour, and soapflakes. Outside there should be bikes, scooters and climbing equipment. It's been proven that children who are encouraged to run, jump and climb do better academically and are more confident. You will be amazed at how much she will learn just by playing and having fun. Play is a child's work!

Magicmayhem · 18/08/2007 10:37

pre-schools/playschools are run by committees and open for 2 and 1/2 sessions
Nurseries are run by the local council and open for 2 and 1/2 hour sessions
day nurseries are private and are open all day although I believe you can go for 2 1/2 hour sessions...

She will be encouraged to drink from a cup,
have a key worker to help her settle.. and everything else that WWB said although ours doesn't have the french teacher.

Do offer to go and help, it give you a good insight to what you child does..

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