Our Mini Meerkats room takes 28 children on a ratio of 1 adult to every 4 children. The room works on a key worker and key child basis meaning your child will be given a key worker at nursery. Your child’s key worker is there to support both parents and children throughout the transition period, as well as answer any questions you may have. Although all the girls work together as a team the room is split into two groups, between the older and younger children. This is to ensure the room is providing age appropriate activities and encourage children to meet their milestones.
We aim to visit Durrell every day in the mini meerkats room, a lot of our on going projects stem from children exploring at Durrell and fascinating over the animals. We head over to Durrell both mornings and afternoons meaning all children will get to the zoo at least once a week, whatever the weather!
Being a Reggio Emilia influenced setting we have chosen to take on a child-led approach to planning. Observing children’s current interests allows for activities to be created in order to extend these further. This encourages the children to learn through exploration and discovery. Being able to develop theories and having the opportunity to test these is fundamental in child development, this also keeps the children interested and allows them to learn through their play. Our aim is to fulfil a child’s curiosity and wonder!
Every Monday the children have a 30 minute session with Lisa our sing and sign teacher, who comes in to sing songs with the children and teach the signs. The children also learn colours, animals and letters in sign language.
Our adopted animal in the mini meerkat room is a Meerkat called Kate. We have a soft toy Meerkat called Kate that is available to come along on holiday with your children. Kate has a holiday diary and we ask parents and children to take photos of Kate on her travels, along with a small write up on where she been and what she has been up to. The children then like to show their friends their holiday photos with Kate when they return.
We try to encourage the children to be as independent as possible in our mini meerkat room, especially our older half, in preparation for pre school. Taking risks and seeking challenge can be part of a younger child’s quest for new experiences.. We provide structure and routine in our mini meerkats room but also allow free play for your children to explore and experiment independently.
Most parents start thinking about potty training when their child is around 18 to 24 months old, but there’s no perfect time. It is probably easier to start in the summer, when washed nappies dry more quickly and there are fewer clothes to take off. Do it over a period of time when there are no great disruptions or changes to your child’s or your family’s routine.
