Our day at The Croft begins at 7.30am when we warmly welcome the children joining us for breakfast. By 8.30am, all of our little Crofters arrive, and we spend the first part of the morning finding our special friends, playing in our chosen area, or enjoying a quiet moment with a special grown up.
Small Group Activities
Small Group Activities
At 9:00am, we come together for small group time, where we introduce the daily routine, explore early maths skills, and set out exciting learning challenges across our classroom. This is followed by a fun and interactive maths session, where we dive into all aspects of number through engaging and playful activities. From friendly aliens and five frames to Numicon and subitising, our little learners build a deep and lasting understanding of numbers 1 to 10.
Time to Get Some Fresh Air!
Time to Get Some Fresh Air!
Following our group time, our little Crofters enjoy an extended period of uninterrupted, child-led play with continuous access to our outdoor learning environment. Whatever the weather, we embrace the outdoors, so we kindly ask our families to provide full waterproofs and wellington boots each day.
Snack Time
At mid-morning, our self-service snack area opens. Children are offered a choice of two healthy fruit or vegetable options and are encouraged to serve themselves independently. This promotes independence, supports learning about hygiene and recycling and provides valuable opportunities for social interaction with both peers and adults.
Phonics
Phonics
As the morning winds down, we come together for small group work focussing on our daily phonics session. We begin with playful rhyming and alliteration games, which help children distinguish between environmental sounds and develop auditory discrimination skills.
This fun, engaging approach builds strong foundations in a natural and enjoyable way. As we progress, we introduce Phase 2 letter sounds, providing the children with a focused and structured way to learn phonemes. Our "Phoneme of the Week" provides targeted practice, ensuring the children develop a solid understanding in the foundations of phonics and helping to deepen their understanding of early reading skills.
At lunchtime, the children walk through the entire school to the Refectory, where they enjoy a hot, nutritious meal. Tranby pupils benefit from a consistent and familiar environment, progressing from Preschool, to Prep School, into Senior School and eventually Sixth Form. They don’t face the uncertainty of navigating large spaces filled with unfamiliar faces. Instead, they feel secure in their environment, with a strong sense of belonging, while being gently encouraged to step outside of their comfort zones through play and learning. We believe this balanced approach is the perfect foundation for their growth.
Developing Skills Through Fun Activities
Developing Skills Through Fun Activities
In the afternoon, we begin with small group Dough Disco sessions. Children manipulate playdough to their favourite music, helping to strengthen muscles in their hands, arms, and shoulders, while practicing cross-body movements. This is vital for developing skills such as writing, cutting, and putting on shoes. Each day, we cover different areas of the curriculum, including music and movement, floorbook sessions, forest school, yoga, and Drawing Club.
Welly Walks in the Great Outdoors
Welly Walks in the Great Outdoors
We make full use of our beautiful school grounds with regular welly walks, where we explore the changing seasons and learn from nature in the vast, scenic grounds we’re so fortunate to have at Tranby. Our school is nestled in the calm and peaceful West Hull countryside, far away from busy roads or built up traffic. The children benefit from the fresh air and a safe enviroment that allows them to enjoy nature and all its learning opportunities.
Down time After a Busy Day of Learning
Down time After a Busy Day of Learning
As the day winds down, we gather for a quiet story or music session, allowing the children to relax and reflect on their day. Some children are collected at 3:30pm, while some stay for the extended day. the extended day begins at 3:30pm and includes a different daily focus activity, after which, they settle down with their friends for tea.
Every day at Tranby Preschool is filled with curiosity, learning, play, and exploration, whilst providing a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn.