What can our children do at Rainbow

Children are encouraged to make their own discoveries through play. We provide a choice of activities within the framework of the National Curriculum, which will help your child add to their own knowledge at a level relevant to them.

Parents are asked not to expect a painting or recognisable piece of artwork every day that fits in with their idea of a busy morning. Your child will participate in lots of activities that may not result in a finished product all the time. Your child will also learn to communicate with other children and adults. Rainbow Pre-school offers each child the opportunity to take part, and to respect the needs of others.

So after all this what will your child actually do at our Pre-School

Painting and drawing

Children paint freely, choose their own colours and are not limited in the number of paintings they can do. There are paints, large sheets of paper and easels. They are not shown how to paint or told what to paint as they may wish to simply cover the paper with one or many colours. When they are ready they will begin to paint pictures you can recognise - we do not rush them to reach this stage too quickly - we would rather they reach this stage at their own pace.

Sand and Water "work"

Children find water fascinating. Just the feel of sand or water in their hands is remarkably entertaining and in using sand and water children gain ideas about weight, volume and capacity.

Appreciate books

Books with stories and pictures that children will enjoy are available for them to look at and for grown ups to read and talk about. Enjoying books in this way helps the child to later enjoy learning to read.

Sounds and Music

Everyday sounds are an important part of a young child's world. In Pre-School, the children's attention is drawn to many different sounds, made by birds and cars, wind and rain, bells and drums etc. They will also have great fun joining in with singing, listening and moving to music, and making their own music with a range of musical instruments.

Physical Play

Physical activity gives children the opportunity to use many parts of their bodies at the same time. Children are naturally cautious and if left to themselves, under a watchful eye, will generally only attempt what they can safely achieve. Rainbow has an indoor and outdoor climbing frame, a large selection of bicycles and other outdoor equipment for use in fine weather to encourage the enjoyment of physical play.

"home corner"

This is an area set aside in the Pre-School to give a cosy home feeling. Furniture and dressing up clothes are available here. The children are able to experience pretend play in various ways such as shopping, mealtimes, airports, post office, with a little imagination the possibilities are endless.

And More

Your child will have the chance to experiment with, clay, play dough, glue, paper, pens, pencils, wood and construction toys. They will see nature and interest tables to help them form ideas about the world around them.

And then there is Play

Children gain skill and understanding through play, especially when they have a chance to share their enjoyment with an adult and talk about their discoveries.