Curriculum
Our nursery curriculum is all about fun, learning, and discovery!
About Us!
The Under 5’s project is a registered charity: 1026486
We have been open since 1983, becoming a full-time OFSTED registered project in 2005.
We are governed by a management committee, which is usually made up of parents of children who are either attending the project or have previously been in attendance.
We have two sites, Our original site in St Marys Church, Woolwich. And Our New Site opened in 2022 on Academy Road, Woolwich Common.
We have a website under5sproject.org; here, you can find up-to-date information, copies of policies and procedures and an online gallery.
Our Rooms
Woolwich Common Nursery
- Sunflower Room – This is our Pre-School room for over 3’s
- Bluebells Room – This is our toddler room for children aged from 2 years to rising 3.
- Rosebud room- This is our baby room for children aged from 8 months to rising 2.
- The Burrow- An exciting Sensory room for children to engage and explore.
- The Nest – A separate area for focus work
St Mary’s Nursery
- Daisies Room – This is our Pre-School room for over 3’s
- Buttercups – This is our toddler room for children from 18 months to rising 3’s
- Chatterbox Room – A sensory room for exploration and focus work
THE STAFF
The staff at The Under 5’s Project are experienced nursery practitioners, We pride ourselves on promoting continual professional development and encourage in house training. We have an extremely high staff retention record
All Staff have gone through enhanced DBS police checks and are First aid qualified and receive regular training in safeguarding & SEND.
We have a dedicated Nursery Well-being officer in each site a Special educational team, including specialist key people, SEN support workers and a Lead SENDCO who works with children who may need extra support.
Each nursery has a Dedicated Senco and inclusion Manager who is out of ratio and commits their whole time to supporting children who need additional support.
We also have weekly garden sessions with our resident green finger Ella, Ella used to be the Manager at The Under 5’s but now uses her passions in the garden to great use visiting us each week.
The ethos of the nursery is CHILDREN FIRST
We will work in a respectful and cooperative relationship with the parents/carers and encourage your ideas, suggestions and participation in the nursery and day care settings.
If a child has been referred to us because of a need or concern, we will do our best to help identify a system that best supports and develops them. If necessary, we will link you up with other appropriate sources of help and support. Good communication is essential to the partnership between parents/carers and staff.
All our staff are professional, caring individuals whose paramount aim is your child’s care and development.
We are always available to talk too; we suggest booking an appointment for more extended discussions.
We always follow the parent’s lead in childcare; you know your child best.
We take children who are not potty trained, and we are happy to work with you to toilet-train your child.
Through the provision of our daily activities, we encourage the children who attend the nursery to:
1. Make decisions and work collaboratively with adults and peers.
2. Develop confidence and recognize their unique skills
3. Identify personal goals and complete chosen tasks
4. Develop self-expression through language, art, dance etc.
5. Develop an open mind for knowledge, listen to other points of view and have an inquiring mind.
We aim to do this through the personal care of our staff and by the curriculum we offer.
CURRICULUM
Our planning is guided by the Early Years foundation stage curriculum EYFS
We aim to reach each Childs individual potential by offering developmentally appropriate and stimulating activities. Our aim is for the children to have fun whilst learning.
Our planning and learning styles have also been influenced by other early educational theorists and approaches that we have taken inspiration from: Reggio Emilia, Curiosity approach, In the moment learning, and Montessori education to name a few.
We lean heavily on open ended play and natural resources during our day to day activities, and will always include the children to ‘Make our own’ if the option is available.
Our planning is guided by four themes that underpin all the guidance
• A Unique Child – Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• Positive Relationships – Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
• Enabling Environments – Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers.
• Learning and Development – Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early year’s provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
EYFS CURRICULum
This curriculum has three prime areas of learning: Children will focus mainly on these areas when they join the setting.
1. Communication and Language
2. Physical Development
3. Personal Social and Emotional Development
And Four specific areas:
1. Literacy
2. Mathematics
3. Understanding the world
4. Expressive Arts and Design
The children are encouraged to work individually and in small groups to build on what each child already knows and can do, promoting self-confidence, independence and social skills. Within the EYFS the children have daily access to a variety of activities:
Sand/water. Mark making, books and stories, role-play, construction and imaginative play. The children are also encouraged to initiate their own ideas and access self-chosen activities. We have a wide range of resources available for the children to access freely.
We believe at The Under 5’s project, it is important to promote positive role models for our children so that they are aware of their local community, we therefore have regular visitors to our project and often take short trips to observe our local community.
OUTSIDE PLAY
Both nursery’s have their our own fenced off area which the children will have daily access to, unless it is heavy raining. Experiencing outside play in all climates is an important part of a Childs development. The area is covered with safety surfacing, which makes it ideal for learning new skills on and also fantastic to make marks on using chalk and water.
Outdoor play allows the children to learn about their environment without the restriction of space. They can practice their large motor skills through running, climbing, hopping etc. as well as playing and co-operating together.
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Social Media & What’s App
We operate a parent/carer ‘what’s app’ group and an Instagram and Facebook page which we update most days.
To join our what’s app group please collect a form from the office.
To follow us on Instagram you can find us by searching the_under5sproject
All families will complete a social media permission section on their registration form. where you can opt in or out for your child being included on our social media pages
Equal Opportunities
The setting is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all children and adults.
The nursery has a dedicated SENDCO and inclusion Manager at each site.
We are members of the Royal borough of Greenwich Equality charter.
We work in accordance with all relevant legislation.
All children will be respected, and their individuality and potential will be recognized. Activities and the use of equipment we provide offer children opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Appropriate opportunities will be given to explore and acknowledge differences between themselves and others.
Bilingual/multilingual children and adults are an asset. They will be valued, and their languages will be recognized and respected.
Every child’s medical, cultural and dietary needs will be met.
We will not tolerate any discriminatory behavior or remarks towards staff, other families or children.
Social Networking Sites
Staff are actively discouraged from becoming friends with parents of children who attend the project on social networking sites. This is to ensure confidentiality and promote professional relationships.
Behaviour policy
Our philosophy to achieve acceptable behaviour within the nursery, and ultimately within the community is based upon a positive approach.
- Through encouragement and praise
- Through raising self-esteem and promoting a positive self-image
- Working in partnership with parents and carers
We aim to develop a sense of self-discipline and ultimately a responsibility from each child for their own actions. To create an atmosphere of caring and respect for oneself and others, in order that effective teaming can take place within the nursery.
A full copy of our behaviour policy is in the parent’s information pack or available on request.
We hope you enjoy your time at the Under 5’s project
Daily schedule
At the Under 5’s Project we believe in being flexible and taking learning opportunities as they arrive, that said children thrive on the predictableness of a routine and below is what you can expect from a typical day.
8.00 - 8.30
Breakfast club is typically hosted between 08.00-8.30am
8.30 - 11.30
Children will return to their rooms for an adult-focused activity, Free play, a healthy snack around 10.30, circle time and outside play.
11.30 - 11.45
Group Time.
11.45 - 12.30
Lunch Club – Hot lunches (At Woolwich Common only) or a packed lunch.
12.30 - 13.00
Children return to their rooms – Free Play or children that sleep will go for a nap.
13.00 - 16.00
Adult focused activity Free play, a healthy snack around 2.15, circle time and outside play.
16.00 - 18.00
After school club.