Learning through play at Dulwich Wood
Play
We deeply respect and understand the value of play for children’s development. Play is children’s natural mechanism for learning and allows children to construct their own understanding of the world around them.
Through play children:
- Explore possibilities and limitations
- Build peer group relationships
- Learn how to negotiate and solve conflicts
- Learn to sustain focus and concentration
- Use their imaginations
- Have practical ‘hands on’ experiences
Following children’s interests
Children learn best when they follow their own interests. They have a natural desire to explore, communicate, create and learn. At Dulwich Wood children thrive in an environment that is managed by the adults but led by the children. Children learn and develop with the support of responsive adults who watch what the children are doing, join them in their play and support them to achieve their ‘next steps’ through their play.
In Nursery and Reception the school day is organised to maximise periods of sustained uninterrupted play to encourage in-depth exploration. Each day is completely different and we never know where the children’s interests will take us. We may set off on a ‘bear hunt’, search for the ‘bubble monster’, discover and write notes to the ‘min pins’ or make our very own dinosaur poo!
Lots of the planning for children’s learning is completed spontaneously ‘in the moment’. This is because children need to be responded to immediately in order to gain the full value of their curiosity and engagement at the time. We see learning as a cooperative adventure with adults and children working side-by-side exploring, collaborating and discovering new skills together. Adults tune in, connect with the children, and skilfully support them to make connections, link back to and revisit previous learning. Children feel valued and listened to resulting in high levels of self-esteem and engagement.
In Reception there are daily whole class carpet sessions where children are taught Literacy, Maths and Phonics. Additionally, children take part in a weekly Big Write sessions where they develop their writing skills in a small group session with their teacher.
Engaging Environment
Our learning environment is rich in possibilities, constantly reviewed and evolving to ensure children’s progress and wellbeing. Both indoors and outdoors are set up as workshop areas that children access independently. This supports agency, independence and self-regulation. Many of the materials available are open ended and can be used in a multitude of ways. Flexible, transformable resources pave the way for creativity and imagination to thrive.
Parents and carers
Parents and carers are children’s first and most enduring educators. Prior to your child joining Nursery/Reception you will be offered a home visit where you will be able to have an in-depth discussion with their teacher. We also hold termly Learning Reviews where we will share learning targets and explain how we have supported your child to develop their interests and ideas. In Reception each child has a Tapestry online Learning Journey that reflects learning that is happening both at home and in school.
Provocations to inspire curiosity
We introduce provocations into the learning environment to spark curiosity and wonder. They encourage children to ask questions, create, suggest and test ideas and solve problems. How did it get here?
Who does it belong to?
How can we stop this from happening?
How does it work?
What would happen if I ….?
In Reception provocations are often linked to our Literacy text.
Outdoor Learning
At Dulwich Wood children can move freely between our indoor and outdoor spaces in any weather. We see our garden as a rich educational tool which offers the potential for learning in all curriculum areas. We consider changes in the weather such as snow, ice, wind and rain as exciting learning opportunities not reasons to stay inside! We have vegetable patches where children grow from seeds.
We are very lucky to be located a stone’s throw from Sydenham Woods and take small groups of children for weekly Forest School sessions. As well as developing children’s understanding of the natural world these adventures promote the development of children’s self-esteem, confidence, team building and leadership skills. Activities include building shelters, hunting for mini beasts and creating ephemeral art.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
We focus on how children learn as much as what they learn. We aim for children to develop the abilities and attributes of strong lifelong learners through teaching about our Learning Tool Kit.
Behaviour
At Dulwich Wood children have autonomy over their own learning and decision making which is vital in building self-regulation. We have high expectations for behaviour and clear consistent boundaries. Warm supportive relationships and our key person system ensure that children feel safe, secure and valued. We support children to stay calm, have empathy, share, be kind, take turns, focus, be responsible, independent and make good choices.
Impact
The Early Years at Dulwich Wood are a place of deep joy and discovery. We aim for children to leave us brimming with natural curiosity, to collaborate, to problem solve and problem find, think, to feel, be respectful, and embark on their educational experiences with enthusiasm, excitement and commitment and understand the importance of looking after the world they are growing up in.