Our Ethos

We work in partnership with families & the community to enhance the abilities, skills and development of each individual child as a whole.

We use the Revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework to help us to trace each child’s progress and provide the right activities to help all of the children move towards achievement of the early learning goals.

Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.

Promoting British Values at Saplings

The DfE (Department of Education) have recently reinforced the need “to create and enforce a clear and rigorous expectation on all schools to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.”

The Government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy. At Saplings Pre-School and Nursery these values are reinforced regularly.

Democracy

We listen to children’s and parent’s voice. Our school behaviour policy is clear that children are expected to contribute and co-operate, taking into account the views of others.

The Rule of Law

We consistently reinforce our high expectations of children. Children are taught the value and reasons behind our expectations (rules) that they are there to protect us, that everyone has a responsibility and that there are consequences when rules are broken.

Individual Liberty

Within school, children are actively encouraged to make choices, knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment. As a school we educate and provide boundaries for young children to make choices safely, through our provision of a safe environment and empowering teaching. Children are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms.

Mutual Respect

Part of our school ethos and behaviour policy has revolved around Core Values such as ‘Respect’, and children are modelled this by caring, sharing and listening to others. Staff helps children to understand how to respect by talking about how actions/words can affect others.

Tolerance of those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

We aim to enhance children’s understanding of different faiths and beliefs by participating in a range of celebrations throughout the year. Children have the opportunity to dress-up in clothes and try different foods from other cultures and we encourage parents/careers to participate and support our multi-cultural events.

Safeguarding

The Pre- School endeavours to take necessary steps to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. To promote the good health of the children, take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection and take appropriate action when they are ill. Children’s behaviour must be managed effectively and in a manner appropriate for their stage of development and particular individual needs.

To achieve this vision we believe:

  • All children are capable of learning and have individual needs, skills, and talents.
  • Children learn best in a setting that reflects the diversity of the community.
  • Children learn best as active participants in co-operative play-based experiences.
  • Children learn best through experiences that enhance their self-esteem, help them make choices and develop competencies.
  • Children learn best using a unified developmentally appropriate curriculum, utilizing child-centred teaching practices and support services.
  • Parents/caregivers are the child’s primary and on-going teachers, sharing equally in the child’s education.
  • Open and honest communication between staff members, as well as with parents/caregivers, help to enhance a child’s education.
  • The sharing of diverse points of view and the encouragement of risk-taking will generate new ideas.
  • Preschool experiences provide the child with the foundation for on-going learning and support the child and family to become responsible partners in community life.
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