Preschool Children

As children move out of toddlerhood and into the independence of the pre-school years the programme for learning develops into a more structured pace of meaningful and purposeful learning where children are encouraged to approach the world with curiosity and with a positive disposition to learn.

Children need to enter school with the skills and desire to think for themselves, solve problems, work with others, communicate, and gain an increasing understanding of the world and how it works. The Bright Horizons programme for learning is designed to prepare every child to:

• Be ready to read: armed with the desire, the vocabulary, and the language-deciphering skills they have developed through experiences that are meaningful to them.
• Approach the world with curiosity and the knowledge and skills that lead to success in maths and science: a growing interest in the properties of things and the relationships and forces that exist in the natural world.
• Use their social skills to perform in a school classroom: listening skills, self-discipline, patience, and discipline for the task, ability to work with others, and ability to solve problems.

Children are naturally inquisitive, keen to ask questions and explore: we ensure staff are always available to support and facilitate teaching and learning approaches to develop children’s thinking and learning.

Pre-schoolers make choices and combine self-guided play with activities supported by staff, in a rich learning environment that is planned and organised to maximise learning and development. Learning is continuous and the programme for pre-schoolers emerges seamlessly from the programme for under threes, promoting positive dispositions to learn and the critical and creative thinking necessary to be Ready for School.

The Pre School learning environment has well-planned learning centres that allow for child-initiated play, small groups, and supportive teaching that lays down firm foundations for developing positive attitudes and dispositions for learning throughout life. The development of language, mathematical reasoning, and scientific thought is emphasised throughout all Bright Horizons nurseries. Changes to the learning environment, activities, and projects are based on observations and assessments of emerging skills, interests and individual learning goals.

The Pre school programme for learning builds on the children’s knowledge and skill base, learning style, and interests. A rich variety of projects investigates the fascinating world in which they live and enhances the development of emerging knowledge and skills. A balance of child initiated and adult planned guided learning across key areas of learning are provided for throughout the day;

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Mathematical Development
• Knowledge and Understanding of the World
• Physical Development and Movement
• Creative and Aesthetic Development