This is where our 3-5 year olds learn.

 

​Our Curriculum: The Lodge

Butterflies Preschool runs a hybrid approach; the Nature School combines the very best from traditional preschool with Forest School elements. As practitioners we are here to facilitate the learning and natural development of each child through observation, scaffolding, support and role modelling. We provide children opportunities to extend their learning, peer-peer role modelling and to connect their understanding with the world around them.

 

We aim to foster a love of the outdoors and instil the importance of sustainability whilst empowering children to care for the world around them. Our free flow indoor-outdoor approach provides children the opportunity to direct their own learning. We ensure that there are creative, sensory, construction and role play opportunities both inside and outside. Our approach is individual and led by each child as they are each on their own journey to explore, discover and grow.

 

On Site

At Butterflies Pre School we are a blessed with a fantastic natural landscape. All children at Butterflies are given access to the outdoors in our garden space. The children are not limited to the amount of time they can spend outdoors during the morning and afternoon sessions. Our purple suits/all in one suit and fleeces help to keep children dry and warm so that outdoor play can continue regardless of the weather.

 

The sand pit, mud kitchen, outdoor painting, construction and digging area are open daily providing a range of play and learning opportunities. Weather permitting, the Secret Garden and balancing areas are also open.​

 

Children at the Nature School also experience campfires where we share songs, stories and enjoy the sensory experience. At least once a half term the children help to prepare and cook a snack over the fire, be that bread, soup or pizzas!

 

Off Site

Adventure Walks are a fantastic off-site opportunity in which children can explore Happy Valley and Farthing Downs. These walks take place during Morning and Afternoon sessions, or full day adventures, depending on the day. The walks allow smaller groups of children to play and learn in nature. 

 

These walks may include a specific focus such as den building, tree identification, climbing, balancing, literacy and numeracy games, bug hunts or pond dipping. We practice a ‘Don’t Lick, Don’t Pick’ policy which protects children and the environment.

 

Inside The Lodge

Inside the Lodge we run a traditional Pre School. We are a free flow setting, which means the children can move between indoors and outdoors and direct their own learning.

 

Our dedicated book corner promotes a love of literacy and language. Children can read books independently or with teaches and peers.​

 

We have a sensory table indoors where we routinely rotate between kinetic sand, playdough and other sensory play. Children develop fine motors skills through cutting and rolling, play dough mats are used to teach letter identification, numeracy, facial expressions and seasonal changes.

 

Our construction and building areas include multiple mediums such as Duplo, blocks/bricks, trains and tracks and magnetic tiles.​

 

Expressive Arts and Design includes child led activities such as painting, chalk art, drawing, collage, cutting and sticking and teacher led crafts.​

 

The role play area, home corner and dress up allows children to play and discover with imaginative and ‘real world’ scenarios.​

 

Puzzles, numeracy games, counting blocks and other resources are on shelves for children to select and explore.​

 

Our learning and songs and activities are often centred around a theme which the children’s previous learning and interests have inspired. Some of our favourites include Space, Dinosaurs, Winter Animals and Habitats, Butterflies and Spring, and Mythical Creatures.