Our aims
At Magic Steps Nursery we believe children need to be challenged and encouraged to take risks to unlock their learning, in a framework of security and safety. As such, we aim to provide a high quality, play-based experience in an ecologically friendly, well designed, well organised, integrated indoor and outdoor environment.
Children search out perspectives and views that intrigue and inspire them. With this in mind, we are committed to:
- Providing a caring place, with learning spaces for free expression, creativity and curiosity…
- Unlocking the potential of learning by offering rich environments full of irresistible stimuli, context for play, exploration and conversation…
- Helping your child to become confident and independent, whilst at the same time encouraging them to use their imaginations and, importantly, have fun…
- Working with the children to help build and develop relationships – their relationships with each other, a caring adult and the space around them…
Our approach
Our values and beliefs underpin what we do every day so that all decisions, no matter how small, lead us in the right direction to effectively support how we make a difference to the children in our care:
- We listen very carefully to the children to understand their thoughts and emotions…
- Children are allowed to grow and develop without limiting expectations…
- We talk about feelings and caring for each other…
- All seven learning areas of the EYFS will be reflected indoors and outdoors with equal importance…
- We give the children space to make their own discoveries and try, try, try…
- All staff, at every stage of their career, receive training courses to improve their qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience…
- We offer complete safety and warmth, through rigorous health and safety routines and attention to every detail…
Every child has an individual learning journal. This enables staff to track their emotional and physical development through formative and informative observations and photos, recording their learning and providing opportunities to recall experiences.
Curriculum
Whether your child is three months or three years old we make learning interesting, stimulating and fun, working within a framework specifically designed for your child’s age and abilities.
At Magic Steps Nursery we follow and promote the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is a nationwide framework which recognises that every child is unique, has different ways of learning, and will blossom in a rich learning environment with stimulating and irresistible experiences.
The EYFS is a comprehensive statutory framework that sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to five. All nursery providers are required to use the EYFS to ensure that, whatever setting parents choose, they can be confident their child will receive a quality experience that supports their care, learning and development.
EYFS learning areas:
- Communication and language
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Expressive arts and design
- Knowledge of the world
For more information visit: www.education.gov.uk
Ongoing formative assessment is at the heart of effective early years practice. At Magic Steps Nursery we will observe the children as they act and interact in their play, everyday activities and planned activities, learning from parents about what the children do at home. These observations help us to identify where the children are in their own developmental pathway. We will then consider ways to deepen and strengthen the children’s current learning and development by planning experiences and opportunities, within their learning environment, using resources and routines.
Where we notice a common theme or interest we will explore opportunities to involve the children in outside ‘extra curriculum’ experiences, and invite external support to help us expand on such interests. For example, if the children are showing a collective interest in mini beasts in the garden, we will invite an external expert to bring along and show the children different and varied types of creepy crawlies; or perhaps some children might benefit from an outside theatre group, music & movement or sporting activity. Magic Steps Nursery will support these activities financially as much as possible, but may require, on occasion, a financial contribution from parents and carers.