​Practices and Inititives 

HighScope    Children First    Aistear    Siolta    Buntus    Read With Me    Gymboree    Sow n Grow    Science Week    Road Safety Week

 

Beep Beep Day    Sentana Book Club    Trick or Treat for Temple Street    Barnados    Childline

 

 

 

 

Example of Daily Plan

 

Our morning starts with Greeting Time. We gather news giving everyone the opportunity to speak and be heard. Then we move to Small Group Time. This is often a tabletop activity in a small group and gives the leader a chance to observe abilities etc. At Large Group Time everyone comes together for a game/music/movement/song. Then it's Outdoor Time! And we try to get outside as much as possible. It's a chance to move, run, explore, to play, and for the leaders to observe communication, interaction, and friendships. Then it's Snack Time. Lunch is brought from home with a healthy eating policy and we sit with the children to chat, assist, and eat. After eating the children decide through Planning Time where they will 'work' and play. This is their choice and they are encouraged to gather their own materials/toys/ items etc. Work Time is observed and the play is extended and encouraged but always child led. It's their ideas! After Work Time it's Clean Up Time and this is to music putting everything in it's right place before the music stops. Now we have Recall Time. The children relay back something that happened at Work Time or during that day. It helps to make sense and structure, and to show them that they may have resolved something that they first found difficult. Before we say good-bye we sit for Story Time. This may be a book themed for an occasion or a choice of a child, but it's always a great story! Throughout the morning there are many transitions to move from one time to another. We use a bell, a pretend train, and loads of other ideas to make the day fun and a routine that is not rigidous and overly structured.