Making learning fun!
The curriculum at LAS Nursery encourages children to learn and develop their abilities in a fun and supportive environment where they can flourish.
We know that children learn best through play. When children are engaged in an activity, it helps them to develop new learning pathways in the brain. Our activities are a balance of child-initiated and Educator-directed activities. Each one implemented through planned, purposeful play.
Nursery Educators guide development through warm, positive interactions. Every two weeks a new theme is introduced to provide inspiration for learning with the flexibility for children to follow their own interests and ideas.
This framework of learning, development, and care, is set by the Department for Education for children from birth to 5 years. There are seven areas of learning and development that our nursery activities are based on.
Children from birth to toddlers focus on the first three prime areas:
1. Communication & Language
2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
3. Physical Development
From the age of 3 years, children are introduced to four additional areas:
4. Literacy
5. Mathematics
6. Understanding the World
7. Expressive Art & Design
At LAS Nursery, we believe that nature is an invaluable learning environment for our children. We are lucky enough to have our own nursery playground complete with mud kitchens, a bird feeding wall, water station and a dedicated area for our non walkers.
Everyday we spend time outdoors in the fresh air and maximise opportunities to teach the children to appreciate the natural world around us and foster a sense of compassion and responsibility to care for it.
Our weekly Forest School Sessions are a part of a child-centred inspirational learning process, that develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
Every week we put on our high vis and go on an adventure. The aim is to have lots of fun and foster a sense of curiosity as we explore the world around us.
Our regular excursions take us to the local park for a picnic and play in the adventure playground, forest school sessions, soft play and sometimes we even do our yoga class in the park.
Hackney City Farm is a big hit and we are making new animals friends and learning all about them.
Our in-house chef freshly prepares all meals and snacks on site throughout the day. We have a SILVER Healthy Early Years award which means we offer support for health, wellbeing and education. We are also officially a Tooth Friendly Nursery having been awarded a GOLD award for Oral Health.
We work alongside you to ensure individual dietary requirements are met and alternative options are available. Seasonal menus are designed to ensure meals are healthy, nutritional and well-balanced. A selection of meals from different cuisines are offered so that children are exposed to new textures and tastes.
Nursery menus are displayed and highlight any potential allergens that may be contained in each meal, alongside additional information regarding all 14 allergens. View our sample menus and more information about Public Health England's guidance on the EYFS requirements for food and drink.
At meal times we sit together around the table in our nursery canteen which provides relaxed opportunities for personal, social and emotional development.
This set up encourages independence as children can make their own food choices, serve themselves and put their used plates and cups in the collection area when they've finished.
Our canteen is also where we hold our many celebrations and share our diverse cultural and religious festivities - many of which include food! As a multicultural nursery we embrace opportunities to learn about different cuisines and customs and celebrate each other's traditions together.
