Learning Experiences

In The Moment Planning

“In the Moment Planning' is a way of capturing the interest and spark of a child in that present moment, observing and interacting with the children as they pursue their own interests and also assessing and moving the learning on in that moment.

Our Pedagogy

Scaffolding Learning

'Scaffolding Learning' describes an adult's supportive role in children’s learning. Scaffolding enables a child to solve a problem, carry out a task or achieve a goal which is beyond their own abilities.

Our Pedagogy

What is 'In The Moment Planning'?

'In The Moment Planning' and child- initiated play can be a fun and relaxed way for children to learn and progress in an Early Years Setting.

The idea of 'In The Moment Planning' is to capture and follow the interest's of the children in that present moment.

Young children have a natural desire to learn, explore and question. Our environment enables child-initiated play in order to capture the moment of engagement. Careful observation by practitioners is the key to utilising this approach.

'We do not believe in Forward planning as each child is unique'

- Anna Ephgrave

What is 'Scaffolding Learning'?

We also look at the 'Vygotsky' Theory behind 'Scaffolding Learning'.

We believe that children do learn independently however 'Scaffolding can bridge learning gaps and help children succeed.'

'Scaffolding Learning' allows children to solve a problem or carry out a task that is beyond their current abilities.

As a practitioner it is our role to build a bridge between a child's existing knowledge and their new knowledge, it allows children to build upon the skills that they already have. This enables children to take on new activities and gain new skills.

It is our role to observe the children and recognise the stage of learning they are at and then provide support to help them reach the next stage. We plan and provide the children with different learning experiences such as learning about the different seasons and celebrations.

This approach also enables us to look closely at the Child's Development and ensure that they are progressing to meet the EYFS. We will then provide the children with Individual Next steps which we will work closely with both the child and the parents/carers to achieve their milestones.

'Thank you for everything, all the care, love, attention and support it has meant so much. My children have loved their time at St Andrews and we'll miss you.

Its true that its the people that make a place wonderful and you lot are the best!'

Our Learning Journal- Tapestry

What is Tapestry?

Tapestry is our online learning journal. Tapestry is an effective way to involve parents with their children's learning and development. Tapestry enables us to take photos and videos of their child involved in learning experiences whilst at nursery, this enables us to complete an observation on Tapestry. Parents in the past have found this very reassuring when their child has first started nursery so they can see their child having fun and socialising with their friends.

You can access Tapestry via your mobile phone, iPad or webpage.

What happens with my child 'Online Learning Journey' when they leave St Andrews?

Tapestry allows us to create a unique learning journey for your child. Tapestry enables us to download their journey onto a disk which is a lovely keepsake. Your child may be leaving us to go onto their next journey at another school/nursery that also use tapestry, the school/nursery are able to continue with your child's journey online.

Parents involvement with Tapestry:

Tapestry allows parents to create their own observations in their home environment or during trips out with their children. Parents enjoy creating their own observations and uploading pictures of their holidays, their day trips out etc. The children really enjoy showing their photos to their friends and teachers during 'Show and tell.'

As we work very closely with our parents regarding their child's next steps. Children may often achieve these milestones at home, this enables parents/carers to take photos and videos of the children achieving these next steps and upload their observation onto tapestry.

When a child achieves their milestone it is such a treasurable moment, as parents you are going to be very proud, this also enables you to show us your child achieving these milestones so we can share this experience with yourselves which we love to be a part of! For example your child taking their first steps, your child saying their first word, your child completing their puzzle etc.

Please see the link below for more information regarding Tapestry, if you do have any questions regarding tapestry then please speak to one of the team who will be more then happy to support you.

https://tapestry.info/parents-carers.html

We understand that not every parent/carer will prefer this way of observing their child's learning and development. When your child starts with us, we have several different consent forms, If you would prefer your child not to be on Tapestry then please speak to your child's Keyworker/Room Manager when your child starts with us and we can offer a paper learning journal instead which will provide a very similar experiences.