01257 272 515
info@hmchildcare.co.uk
Opening Times: Monday to Friday - 7:00am - 6:30pm

Preparing for School and Beyond (3-5 years)

At Hearts & Minds Childcare, our Preschool Room prepares children aged three to five for the exciting step up to school. Through a rich blend of child-led play and carefully planned activities, children build the independence, confidence and early literacy and numeracy skills they will need in the classroom. Children enjoy their meals together in our conservatory, and our experienced preschool team knows every child as an individual, supporting them to become curious, capable learners who are truly school ready.

Baby
Room

Gentle Beginnings for Your Little One

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Toddler
Room

Exploring the World with Confidence

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Preschool
Room

Ready for School, Ready for Life

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Outdoor
Garden

Learning Through Nature All Year Round

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Our Preschool Environment

A Space for Growth and Learning

Our Preschool Room has been carefully designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and the development of key skills:

  • Distinct learning zones reflecting all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage
  • Accessible, open-ended resources that children can select independently
  • Writing and mark-making areas with a variety of tools and materials
  • Mathematics zone with resources for counting, sorting, measuring, and pattern-making
  • Reading corner with a diverse library of fiction, non-fiction, and reference books
  • Technology area with age-appropriate digital resources
  • Science and investigation station for hands-on exploration
  • Large construction space for collaborative building projects
  • Imaginative play areas that evolve based on children's interests and learning themes
  • Creative studio with quality art materials and resources for self-expression
  • Quiet spaces for reflection, relaxation, and one-to-one activities
Promoting School Readiness

While maintaining our play-based approach, we gently introduce routines and experiences that prepare children for school:

  • Group activities that develop listening, attention, and turn-taking skills
  • Phonics and early literacy activities presented in engaging, playful ways
  • Self-registration and name recognition
  • Opportunities to develop independence in self-care and organisation
  • Problem-solving challenges that encourage perseverance and critical thinking
  • Projects that develop over time, building concentration and commitment
  • Introduction to simple recording of ideas and discoveries
  • Experiences that build confidence in speaking to groups

Our Approach to Preschool Education

Learning Through Play and Exploration

We believe that children learn most effectively when they are actively engaged in meaningful, enjoyable experiences:

  • Balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities
  • Project-based learning that follows children's interests
  • Open-ended questioning that encourages deeper thinking
  • Time and space for children to develop and test their own ideas
  • Opportunities to revisit and extend learning over time
  • Celebration of diverse learning styles and approaches
  • Recognition of the importance of play in developing social, emotional, and cognitive skills
Key Person Relationship

Each preschool child continues to benefit from a key person who:

  • Provides emotional support and encouragement
  • Understands their unique personality, interests, and learning style
  • Plans personalised learning experiences based on observations
  • Supports developing independence while offering guidance when needed
  • Maintains regular communication with parents about progress and next steps
  • Prepares comprehensive records to share with primary schools
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Early Years Curriculum for Preschoolers

Our curriculum for preschoolers is rich and diverse, covering all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage:
Communication
and Language
  • Rich conversations that extend vocabulary and reasoning skills
  • Debate and discussion in small groups
  • Storytelling and narrative development
  • Listening activities and games
  • Drama and role play to express ideas and emotions
Physical
Development
  • Fine motor activities to develop handwriting readiness
  • Gross motor play with challenging equipment and games
  • Understanding of health, nutrition, and self-care
  • Dance and movement sessions
  • Sports skills like throwing, catching, and team games
Personal, Social and
Emotional Development
  • Building resilience and perseverance
  • Developing empathy and understanding of others' feelings
  • Managing emotions and behaviour
  • Forming positive relationships and working collaboratively
  • Developing confidence in new situations
Literacy
  • Phonological awareness and letter recognition
  • Enjoyment of a wide range of literature
  • Mark-making and early writing for different purposes
  • Creating and telling stories
  • Print awareness in the environment
Understanding
the World
  • Community and cultural awareness
  • Scientific investigation and experimentation
  • Environmental understanding and sustainability
  • Technology as a tool for learning and creativity
  • Understanding of past and present through stories and discussion
Mathematics
  • Number recognition and counting
  • Early addition and subtraction through practical activities
  • Shape, space, and measure exploration
  • Pattern making and recognition
  • Mathematical language in everyday contexts
Expressive Arts
and Design
  • Creative expression through various media and materials
  • Music making and appreciation
  • Imaginative play and role play
  • Design and construction projects
  • Performance and sharing of creative work

Daily Activities and Routines

Our preschool day provides a balance of structure and flexibility:
  • Our preschool day provides a balance of structure and flexibility:
  • Free-flow play periods across indoor and outdoor environments
  • Focus group work on specific skills and concepts
  • Project work that may continue over days or weeks
  • Shared mealtimes with emphasis on conversation and independence
  • Story and discussion sessions
  • Music, movement, and creative activities
  • End-of-day reflection and celebration of learning
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Outdoor Learning

As part of our preschool provision, we have an outdoor learning space, themed as ‘The Orchard Room’. The Orchard Room is designed to support children’s transition to school, and the children have access to a wide range of provision activities. Whilst within our outdoor space, the children can develop their learning within both the prime and specific areas in preparation for reception. Alongside our indoor space, we have a grassed outdoor area where our preschool children can explore the natural world and enjoy a seamless transition to learning both indoors and out. Our extensive outdoor area provides preschoolers with:
  • Challenging physical play equipment to develop strength and coordination
  • Gardening opportunities to understand growth, life cycles, and sustainability
  • Nature exploration areas to observe wildlife and natural processes
  • Construction and den-building spaces
  • Outdoor art and creativity stations
  • Areas for group games and team activities
  • Quiet reflection spaces
  • All-weather resources ensuring outdoor learning continues year-round

School Transition Support

Preparing children for a positive start at school is an important part of our preschool provision. Time in The Orchard Room, with its familiar classroom routines, means the move to school feels like a natural next step rather than a leap into the unknown:
  • Regular discussions about school and what to expect
  • Visits from Reception teachers to meet children in a familiar environment
  • School role play area with uniforms, book bags, and school resources
  • Practice with self-care skills like changing for PE and managing lunch trays
  • Small group activities that gradually increase in length and structure
  • Comprehensive transition reports shared with receiving schools
  • Celebration events to mark this important milestone

Meet Our Preschool Team

Our Preschool Room is led by Kelsey Ward, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies and is our nursery SENCO. She works closely with Natasha Price, a qualified teacher and our curriculum lead, whose creativity (and musical talent) brings the preschool experience to life, supported by Chloe Banks and the wider preschool team, qualified practitioners who specialise in preparing children for a confident transition to school.
Meet Our Team

Parent Partnerships

We work closely with parents of preschoolers to ensure a collaborative approach:
  • Regular updates on learning and development
  • Suggestions for supporting school readiness at home
  • Termly parent meetings to discuss progress and next steps
  • Workshops on topics like early literacy, mathematics, and school transition
  • Opportunities to participate in preschool activities and special events
  • Support with school applications and choices
  • Comprehensive transition information to share with new schools

Book a Visit to Our Preschool Room

We invite you to visit our Preschool Room to see how we support children during this important stage of development and preparation for school. Our team would be delighted to show you our facilities and discuss how we can help your child thrive.

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