The Big Room

The Big Room is where the three to five year olds develop from toddlers to pre-schoolers gaining the confidence and self-esteem needed for the next big step of going to school.

While the emphasis is still very much on learning through play, each day’s activities are planned carefully to ensure that the recommended curriculum for 3-5 year olds is followed over the course of the year.

As in the Wee Room, there is a wide range of toys and dressing-up clothes for the children to play with. Craft activities include painting, drawing, play dough and model making, as well as baking. There is also a quiet corner with books for reading. The children are encouraged to choose for themselves what they want to do from the toys or activities laid out for the day.

Key aspects of the 3-5 years curriculum are covered through the use of topics, which might include, ‘People who help us’, ‘Spring’, ‘Opposites’ and ‘Halloween’ for example.

As well as ‘free play’ time each day, there is also time for the children to come together as a group. Group activities can include songs and rhymes, games, collage-making, music and gym.

The children are encouraged to play outside in the playground area at some point each day, and if weather permits, a whole session will often be outside.

The week’s activities are pinned beside the nursery door and the term’s topics are included in the newsletter issued at the start of each term.

A healthy snack is provided for all children each day at a small cost of 30p per day. The week’s snack menu is posted on the door of the nursery. Children are offered milk or water to drink.

The Big Room is open five mornings a week. On Wednesday mornings, those children in the pre-school group take part in activities which are focussed on preparing them for the transition to primary school.

There are three playleaders, including the nursery manager/coordinator, in each session. This allows for a high level of direct interaction between playleaders and children.