Our ethos:
At Barnabas we believe a happy and confident child will be ready to learn. We provide a caring, home from home community for children and families. Each child’s Key Person enjoys building a close and supportive relationship in which a child will thrive. Our goal is for children to happily build positive relationships, have fun, gain a love of learning and confidently move on to school to continue their voyage of discovery.
Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is taught through play and provision of wide-ranging experiences based on the individual interests and learning styles of each child. Life skills such as cooking, food preparation, growing vegetables and flowers provide opportunities for the development of social skills, practical maths and broadening vocabulary. We promote active learning through play and exploration whilst developing children’s independent creative and critical thinking. Social skills develop through friendship building and learning how to be positive members of the group. Our behaviour policy ensures children feel safe within the familiar boundaries in place. We are confident the principles of the curriculum can be included within the ethos of the setting without compromising the traditional values appreciated so much by parents.
Links with the community and outings
Children join Barnabas with personal life experiences which we acknowledge and enhance in our daily provision and many activities outside Barnabas itself.
We believe children are a vital part of our local community. We make regular visits to the Library, local shops and restaurants, residential homes, riverside, parks and nearby woodland. Further afield outings include Rendlesham Forest, Foxburrow Farm, Suffolk Punch Trust, Ipswich Museum and the Transport Museum. When possible we use public transport with train and bus routes on the doorstep.
Throughout the year we enjoy visits from members of the community. So we might learn about beekeeping or being a doctor. We may meet the postman or a local motorcyclist who brings his bike for the children to sit on and flash the lights! Parents come in share their culture or tell us about their jobs.
Outdoor play
We have a huge garden where children can discover the awe and wonder of the ever- changing natural world. In the summer the landmark beech tree allows us to spend whole sessions outdoors playing and learning in its shade. Children can enjoy the climbing equipment, mud kitchen, tyre swing, large sandpit as well as the space for games and lots of running! The courtyard provides a hard surface for ride on toys, with sand-pit, water play, plank trails, messy play, painting naming just a few of the activities to choose. Whatever the weather we love playing in the fresh air at Barnabas!
The importance of books
Books are available in and out of doors. The cosy book corner encourages children to choose books to look at independently and with friends. Adults enjoy bringing stories alive with children developing their language, making links and discovering new concepts. Regular Library visits include children choosing a book to share at Barnabas.
Music
We weave music through the day as children go about their daily explorations and activities. Experiences of a wide variety of music are provided through special sessions of singing and playing instruments. Visiting musicians are always welcome! We take part in Joint Care Homes Choir concerts which include school children and older people.
Self expression
At Barnabas all children’s methods of communication are recognised and the advancement of language is a priority. Makaton sign language is being developed. Children are encouraged to recognise and talk about their own and other people’s emotions, the reasons behind these and how to deal with them independently.
Children are always able to express themselves through art, mark-making, imaginative and role play with resources at their fingertips to promote their independent creativity.
At Barnabas we believe a happy and confident child will be ready to learn. We provide a caring, home from home community for children and families. Each child’s Key Person enjoys building a close and supportive relationship in which a child will thrive. Our goal is for children to happily build positive relationships, have fun, gain a love of learning and confidently move on to school to continue their voyage of discovery.
Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is taught through play and provision of wide-ranging experiences based on the individual interests and learning styles of each child. Life skills such as cooking, food preparation, growing vegetables and flowers provide opportunities for the development of social skills, practical maths and broadening vocabulary. We promote active learning through play and exploration whilst developing children’s independent creative and critical thinking. Social skills develop through friendship building and learning how to be positive members of the group. Our behaviour policy ensures children feel safe within the familiar boundaries in place. We are confident the principles of the curriculum can be included within the ethos of the setting without compromising the traditional values appreciated so much by parents.
Links with the community and outings
Children join Barnabas with personal life experiences which we acknowledge and enhance in our daily provision and many activities outside Barnabas itself.
We believe children are a vital part of our local community. We make regular visits to the Library, local shops and restaurants, residential homes, riverside, parks and nearby woodland. Further afield outings include Rendlesham Forest, Foxburrow Farm, Suffolk Punch Trust, Ipswich Museum and the Transport Museum. When possible we use public transport with train and bus routes on the doorstep.
Throughout the year we enjoy visits from members of the community. So we might learn about beekeeping or being a doctor. We may meet the postman or a local motorcyclist who brings his bike for the children to sit on and flash the lights! Parents come in share their culture or tell us about their jobs.
Outdoor play
We have a huge garden where children can discover the awe and wonder of the ever- changing natural world. In the summer the landmark beech tree allows us to spend whole sessions outdoors playing and learning in its shade. Children can enjoy the climbing equipment, mud kitchen, tyre swing, large sandpit as well as the space for games and lots of running! The courtyard provides a hard surface for ride on toys, with sand-pit, water play, plank trails, messy play, painting naming just a few of the activities to choose. Whatever the weather we love playing in the fresh air at Barnabas!
The importance of books
Books are available in and out of doors. The cosy book corner encourages children to choose books to look at independently and with friends. Adults enjoy bringing stories alive with children developing their language, making links and discovering new concepts. Regular Library visits include children choosing a book to share at Barnabas.
Music
We weave music through the day as children go about their daily explorations and activities. Experiences of a wide variety of music are provided through special sessions of singing and playing instruments. Visiting musicians are always welcome! We take part in Joint Care Homes Choir concerts which include school children and older people.
Self expression
At Barnabas all children’s methods of communication are recognised and the advancement of language is a priority. Makaton sign language is being developed. Children are encouraged to recognise and talk about their own and other people’s emotions, the reasons behind these and how to deal with them independently.
Children are always able to express themselves through art, mark-making, imaginative and role play with resources at their fingertips to promote their independent creativity.
