At The Croft, our aim is to give each of our pupils the best possible start in their educational journey. We foster an ethos of community and mutual respect, treating each child as an individual and celebrating every child’s successes. We place considerable importance on child-initiated play and child led learning. This allows us to support our pupils in creatively developing their own ideas and giving them a head start in developing the vitally important characteristics of effective learning.
At The Croft we recognise the importance of providing an educational experience that goes beyond the academic. We encourage each child to find their own strengths and passions by providing high expectations and a “no limits” approach to teaching and learning. As well as daily focussed mathematics and phonics sessions, we pride ourselves on offering an inspiring and exciting curriculum. As part of our whole-child approach, we offer daily dough disco sessions to develop fine motor strength, weekly yoga sessions to improve core strength and focus, whilst we also practice mindfulness and philosophy. At this age children naturally ask questions so it is highly important that we continue to foster the growth of their curiosity and enquiring minds. Through our teaching we encourage our pupils to think critically, creatively, collaboratively and respectfully.
Being outside is very important to us and we spend a great deal of time exploring our exceptional environment. The children leave waterproofs and wellington boots in school so that we can access outside regardless of the weather. Our garden is designed especially to encourage risk taking and to promote the development of key gross motor skills. Incorporating fully immersive sand and water discovery regions, a mud kitchen, hobbit house, outdoor construction zones, climbing equipment, tracks, paths and tunnels, our Foundation Stage Outdoor Learning Area also includes a self-contained horticulture area and gated woodland experience, with safe waterside pond viewing area and fire pit amphitheatre.
To complement the learning taking place in our outstanding outdoor development, our pupils also enjoy weekly visits to our very own Forest School, situated within our magnificent grounds. Here the children explore the wonders of the outdoors and experience the changing seasons. Curiosity and creativity are qualities we encourage, and outside in our woodland the children work together to complete a range of physical, scientific and creative challenges as well as developing their communication and language skills.
To support their work in the classroom, our pupils also take part in a range of educational visits off site, as well as welcoming in guest speakers and visitors to The Croft. Whether it be a visit to the local bakery to learn how to exchange money for current buns, or buying supplies at the pet shop for our pets, we strive to provide our pupils with meaningful learning opportunities, as well as a having lots of fun!