Welcome to the Explorers

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A very warm welcome to our department. It is our privilege to start the very smallest children on their learning journey. Whether we welcome your child at age two, three or four, they are guaranteed to have a successful start to their school life. Our friendly team of staff will endeavour to make lasting bonds with the children and their families to ensure trust, open communication and that children are happy, safe and ready to learn.

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An exciting curriculum

Once on their learning journey the children in our department thrive through a combination of child-initiated, adult-led and play-based learning. Children help to guide their learning experiences through sharing their interests with us. Highly trained adults use this as a stimulus for developing the children’s knowledge and enhancing their learning experiences.

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Play to learn

At two years old, our children join the Roseberry class, where we concentrate on developing early social skills and improving physical development. At age three, they move into the Catbells class, where we love to use language to communicate, use numbers in our play and learn much more about the wider world. At age four, they progress to Skiddaw, where we build on all of those important early skills as well as developing the ability to read, write and count.

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Opportunities

The Explorers children can always be found immersed in fun and exciting learning opportunities. Through continuous provision we offer a wide range of challenges to all of our children. They really love to construct with different materials, build with real tools and bake cakes, measuring out and combining the ingredients to produce something they can be proud of.

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Teaching and learning

Our three Explorers classes are taught by a highly dedicated team with a wealth of early years knowledge and experience. Our aim is to provide the children with an exciting, broad and balanced curriculum which ensures high quality talk and learning across a wide range of learning areas.

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Quality first

To achieve this, we use a family group approach to provide inspiring, quality-first teaching during dedicated parts of the day where learning is engaging and active. As the children get a little older, we combine this with skill-based learning sessions, where staff scaffold early writing and number skills to ensure rapid progression and effective challenge for all our children.

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Trips, visits and events

There is adventure and excitement every day when you are an Explorer. Outdoor Education is a central part of our learning offer and the children absolutely love their weekly trip to Forest School. We explore our local environment and embrace all of the wonders that nature has to show us. Autumn walks, journey sticks and muddy puddles are just some of our favourite things to do outside. There is nothing better than sitting round the fire in our warm outdoor clothing, drinking hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows. We always have an annual parents’ Forest School day and it would be lovely if you could come and join us and share in our very special learning. An extra special event that takes place each year is our wonderful family day trip to South Shields. It’s a lovely day where parents, children and staff come together to enjoy quality time and celebrate the children’s successful time in our department.

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Family first

We are incredibly proud of our department and all of our little Explorers. We are honoured to be part of each child’s unique journey and it is our privilege to share in every moment, from the first visit, the first mark making and every success thereafter.

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And even more…

We have so many adventures that it is really important for us to share them with you. Throughout the year we offer a range of opportunities for you to come into school and celebrate your child. We have regular stay and play sessions where children and adults learn together. The children are always so excited to share their learning and always grow in confidence whilst you are here. It is a pleasure to watch their beaming faces as you arrive.

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