Review of first week

Popular areas have been easel, sand, water, music, playdough, maths table, construction/small

world and home corner. We have observed the play at the water tray is very exploratory mainly

of the resources so some will be removed and the continuous provision will be jugs bottles

funnels and sieves so children can explore the wateriness of water and develop hand eye co-

ordination and large motor skills for filling and emptying.

The workshop needs the most important resource available an adult, to model gluing and explain

what glue is used for. Basically the children need to learn about the stickiness of glue!

The wigwam talking friendly space has not worked and the home corner needs addressing too.

Next steps

The Castle room has made the construction area like a castle to fit in with the name of the room, so

we are going to make our talking friendly space into an explorers’ den in an Autumnal theme with

factual books and natural objects relating to woodland, along with explorers hats, clip boards,

binoculars, magnifying glasses. If successful we will add torches and a small world box with woodland

animal scene, it is close to the entrance door and we will be encouraging the parents to explore this

area with their children.

Changing the resources in the home corner and labelling them. We will add baby items as one child

has a particular interest in babies and is very unsettled.

Extra support on ‘3.2 Creating accountability for ed-

ucational performance ‘

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/

uploads/attachment_data/file/582868/

Governance_Handbook_-_January_2017.pdf

Key thoughts to discuss with the Phase Leader prior

to a visit…

THE EXPLORERS ROOM

Autumn Term 2017

Keeping it ...

R. Relationships & Attachment

E. Engagement

A. Active

L. Learning

Mrs Griffiths and Mrs Cook

We aim to ignite, inspire and empower the children to become independent learners through

exploration, providing a secure environment which encourages curiosity and positive relationships

with each other, parents and staff.

Before the summer holiday Mandie and I drew plans of how we thought the classroom layout would

best suit the children’s learning and amalgamated our ideas. Four days of the holidays were spent

cleaning, sorting and arranging the room. After the Early Years Conference and an inspiring talk about

maths we thought a maths area was, at the present time, unnecessary as it is incorporated in all other

areas. A week into the term and we have already added a small maths area which, I’m pleased to say,

is popular!

I am currently writing the long term

continuous provision and I’m sure as I go

through the areas the resources and

layout may change. This weekend I have

split the class into key worker groups,

working on the theme of explorers Mrs

Cook’s children are going to be Cook’s

Crew and my group Gertrude’s (Bell) Gang,

unless I can find another female explorer

beginning with G.

Our 1st three weeks is all about

observations and developing PSE

(friendships, rights of every child and

British values) and independence skills. It

took 30mins each end of outdoor play to

help the children with coats and wellies,

then there is 20mins toileting time. We are

already teaching the children how to use a

knife to spread butter on their toast, how

to put on their coat and shoes and how to

wash their hands. Once the children are

settled and we know how the day is going

to flow a visual daily routine will be put in

place.

Our Day

The children find their name and post it, then look for the picture to put on a milk. We are

encouraging the children to have a snack before we stop and sit on the carpet to talk about taking

care of our room (Tidy up). It is then outdoor play and the children have the option of free flow

between inside and out. At the end of the session the children have a short story and some singing

before going home.

The full timers and PM children play for a short time in the classroom then we join the castle room

until 2.20 when we return to the classroom for a short story and singing. This will change when

independence skills have been taught and the children and adults are settled. A welcome song and

formal split group will be introduced, we can’t fit it in yet.

Transition

Actions to help the children transition from the twos (Garden Room) will be the treasure baskets,

Makaton signs and Piggy the Guinea Pig who has taken up residence in our room but often visits the

Garden Room.

Actions to help the explorers to transition to the Castle room are already established (Yes in a

week!) We join the Castle room in the large playground every day in the morning and afternoon at

outdoor time and our children are getting to know the adults and the Castle room as they have the

option of free flow.