Early Years Learning

School Sessions

In Little Oaks (Nursery, Kindergarten and Pre-Reception), we offer the following sessions:

• Morning session: 8.15am – 11.45am
• School Day: 8.15am – 3.30pm
• Full Day (including lunch and tea): 7.30am – 6.00pm

For Reception children, the school day runs from 8.15am – 3.30pm (including lunch).

The School Day

1. 8.20am: Registration
2. 8.35am – 9.00am: Phonics
3. 9.00am – 9.45am: Session 1
4. 9.45am – 10.30am: Session 2
5. 10.30am – 11.00am: Break Time
6. 11.00am – 11.45am: Session 3
7. 11.55am: Lunchtime (Pre-Reception, Kindergarten and Nursery pick-up at 11.45am, if not staying for afternoon sessions)
8. 12.30pm: Lunchtime playtime (sleep/rest session for Nursery/Kindergarten/Pre-Reception if needed)
9. 1.00pm – 2.00pm: Session 4
10. 2.00pm – 3.00pm: Session 5
11. 3.00pm – 3.30pm: Storytime
12. 3.30pm: End of School Day (for Reception and School Day Nursery/Kindergarten/Pre-Reception children)

Little Oaks Learning

We are incredibly lucky to have daily opportunities for the children to access a variety of well planned activities with our specialised teaching staff in their classrooms and work spaces. An example of our School Day is below:

Passion for Outdoor Learning

Our unique environment of 65 acres of woodland and open space lends itself to our strong belief that outdoor learning is an integral part to your child’s development.

Experienced and passionate, qualified Forest School team deepen the children’s curiosity and build resilience, risk-taking and determination through activities such as tree climbing, den building, fire making and habitat hunting, using the natural environment for all aspects of learning.

Little Oaks is a purpose built Early Years development with an enclosed playground which extends out into our secure woods for the children to explore.

Music, Dance and Swimming

As well as being taught a music lesson, dance session in the dance studio and PE lesson in our Sports Hall by qualified specialists each week, music and movement form part of the daily life in Little Oaks.

Children are encouraged to learn traditional nursery rhymes and songs, including using sign language and explore percussion instruments, music making and developing their rhythm and coordination.

A fantastic advantage of having a purpose built ‘learner’ swimming pool gives our Kindergarten children the opportunity to swim weekly with our fully qualified swimming instructor at school.

Offering an Enriched Learning Experience

Throughout the academic year, Nursery, Kindergarten and Pre-Reception children take part in a variety of interactive experiences, led by external visitors. Recent activities include a visit from Goring Fire Station and the mobile farm, Farms2Ewe.

Transition from Nursery to Kindergarten

At Little Oaks, we are always putting our children at the heart of everything. We pride ourselves on ensuring that each child is treated with individual attention, especially with regards to their learning needs and development and assess this regularly throughout the year. Therefore, children are moved up from Nursery to Kindergarten on or around their third birthday. This is usually done on a case by case basis ensuring the child’s best interests are considered.

Transition from Kindergarten to Pre-Reception and Reception

A dedicated member of the Little Oaks staff will be a keyworker to your child and build an open, trusting relationship with you and your little one. We offer regular parent meetings and a shared online learning diary using the Tapestry platform.  This all ensures that what is taught in Little Oaks can be supported and echoed at home. This level of continuity also ensures that each child is ready for their move into Pre-Reception in the September following their fourth birthday and then up to one of our Reception classes.

Reception Learning

When pupils move up to Reception, they are immersed in the Junior Prep curriculum that is literature rich and centred around building core transferable skills that equip them in developing key knowledge and an understanding of the world around them, whilst being meaningful and relevant to their everyday experiences. Click here for more information