Play at St Thomas's

Children are free to choose from a variety of activities set out daily on four main tables. They are also encouraged to make their own choices. All resources are stored within reach, in clearly labelled containers, enabling children to be self sufficient. The ‘home corner’ is set up each morning, around varying themes (train stations, hairdressers, cafes), to which the children can add or remove items. There is a large carpeted area, upon which children are free to build with different types of construction, complete large floor puzzles, or play with ‘small world’ activities, such as model trains, car-parks and vehicles, or large doll’s house with families and furniture.

The children have access to paint, chalk, pens, pencils and crayons at all times to encourage mark making. Their names are recognised at self registration, where they have the opportunity to match it to the relevant letter, or write it on our white board with as much (or as little help) as they need. This activity helps them to become familiar with the letters of their names and those of their friends. The younger children become used to writing their names with their fingers, using corn flour, dry or wet sand, clay and other malleable substances.

Although play can be adult-led, we strongly encourage free flow play, where children are given the freedom to follow their own initiative. The children are given authority over their own development, using their communication skills to question and speculate, their physical skills to move from place to place, and their thinking skills to consider assembling the materials they need to create different imaginary worlds. Staff at St Thomas’s concentrates on each child’s holistic development across the many learning opportunities incorporating the six Early Years areas.

Children are given profile books on arrival at St Thomas’s. These are shared between home and playgroup, and show examples of work and photographs of the children taking part in different activities. The books’ inclusion of family photographs helps to ease the transition of new starters into playgroup life, as they are free to look at the pictures whenever they like.