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Ethos

Elmwood Preschool is a partnership of staff, parents, and community, where family tradition and diversity are embraced. Together we create a nurturing, yet stimulating learning environment, which fosters individuality, social responsibility, and an enthusiastic appetite for learning. We provide a solid foundation upon which children can learn to be creative and effective communicators, reaching their full potential and developing a sense of inner strength and confidence to sustain them in the years ahead.

• We provide an inclusive, stimulating learning environment in which every child:
  • feels safe, secure and cared for
  • is encouraged to be curious, to explore and to question
  • experiences frequent, positive and warm interactions with experienced staff
• We make the emotional wellbeing of each child a priority through helping them to:
  • grow in independence and responsibility
  • learn to self-regulate their own emotions
  • experience success in social situations
• We provide a balanced curriculum which ensures:
  • smooth progression through the key stages
  • every child has the opportunity to reach their 'next steps'
  • children understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and personal hygiene
  • a solid grounding which prepares them for the challenges of school and their future success
• We build partnerships with parents to:
  • understand each child's experiences based on their own personal circumstances so that their cultural capital can be enhanced
  • help them support and encourage their child at home
• We use the EYFS effectively to:
  
  • promote creative expression through art, music and physical activities
  • ensure every child gains an understanding of their immediate community encompassing British Values
  • ensure every child has the opportunity to experience the awe and wonder of the world around them
  • ensure every child meets their full potential, whatever that may be

Curriculum Goals

Our ethos drives our five Curriculum Goals which shape our children to ensure they are fully prepared for primary school. 

Independent

We want our children leave us ‘school ready’; to be competent in personal care, be able to undress and dress for P.E., put their coat on and do it up and self-serve at snack-time. We want them to be confident in making choices, follow simple routines and develop the resilience to keep trying when something feels challenging. Our children should feel proud of what they can do independently but know when it is appropriate to ask for help.

Curious

We want our children to be confident to ask questions and share their thoughts aloud; to notice and wonder about new things in their environment, and to have an exploratory nature that encourages them to investigate, discover and extend their learning. We want them to be eager to find out how and why things happen and make predictions, be willing to try new experiences and be excited to learn.

Socially Connected

We want our children to understand the importance of sharing, taking turns and playing co-operatively. We want them to have made positive connections with other children through play and to value the ideas and feelings from those around them, whilst being confident enough to resolve simple conflicts and rivalries. They should feel confident in joining in with group activities, whilst respecting that everyone has a voice.

Confident

We want our children to be confident communicators, be able to express their point of view and opinion using words as well as actions and feel secure in new and unfamiliar situations. We want them to feel confident around adults and be prepared to stand up and talk in front of their peers. They should be able to start a conversation with peers and begin to organise their play.

Uniquely Individual

We want our children to be proud of their uniqueness and individuality, and to develop a strong sense of identity, self-worth and belonging, whilst recognising and accepting that others may be different. We want them to celebrate the things that make them feel special, including interests, talents, family and experiences and to feel confident expressing who they are. Through meaningful experiences, we want to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world, providing opportunities to develop their cultural capital that they may not have otherwise encountered, equipping them for the next chapter of their learning journey.

 

 

 

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