Seedlings
2 to 3 years – Parent/Carer and Child group
12 children - 2 teachers

This group aims to provide a gentle transition for the young child with the support of the child’s main caregiver. The adults engage in handwork and craft projects for the class while the children freely explore the environment, begin to form friendships and participate in activities. The focus is on developing the child’s self-confidence, communication and social skills in preparation for kindergarten.

The setting is the same as the nursery group (for children ages 2-3 years attending independently) The accompanying adults in Seedlings are encouraged to take a back seat and allow the children to become more independent and further develop their social skills, being assured that their parent or carer is there if needed.

By following the programme, the children have the opportunity to experience an introduction to the school experience. The children begin to form social contacts with other children, develop a relationship with a teacher and become familiar with small group activities such as snack time, simple crafts and music. A typical session is described below.

We begin with the arrival of the children and carers/ parents where we change into indoor shoe and then children immediately engage in free, creative play with the natural materials, toys and activities. The children begin to develop social skills by interacting with other children and adults. Gentle intervention by an adult is sometimes needed as children learn about possession and sharing. Imaginations are beginning to form as the children initiate play with wooden animals, cars, dolls made of fabric and child sized kitchen utensils.

Children learn through imitation and absorb the activities of others around them. Adults play a large part in creating the right environment and act as a role model for the children. The adults help the teacher set up simple crafts, sometimes painting or drawing themselves alongside the children. It is warming for a child to see an adult caring for the room, making simple play objects, or preparing for snack. A sense of security and rhythm develops within the child as the mood created by the adults is absorbed. The soft conversation of the adults and their concentration on practical tasks enables the children to feel relaxed and free to choose activities.

After creative play, the adults clear away the crafts and tidy the room with the children in an unhurried way. This is a time where children learn the importance of caring and looking after our toys and classroom and practice their ordering and sequencing skills. The adults and children then gather together on the carpet for a circle time of rhymes and songs relating to the current season or festival. We then wash hands, set the table and sit down together to enjoy a healthy snack. This is a perfect opportunity for a group discussion amongst the adults. After snack, we go outside to the garden. The children are encouraged to take full advantage of the garden, including the sand box, gardening areas and caring for the rabbits.

We finish the session back inside the classroom with a short story and a goodbye song.

After the Seedling class when the children are ready to move to the next group, there is the option of Nursery or Kindergarten