A typical child’s day at Pathways
Daily routine: A typical child’s day at Pathways
A typical but always flexible guide to the pattern of a child’s day. A balance between child-initiated and adult led activities.
Maximum use is made of outdoor opportunities to promote learning and development.
If we come before 9.00am we choose activities and sometimes play together with our ‘big school’ friends
After 9.00am we choose and play with the toys until all our friends arrive
We have a short ‘wake and shake’ so we are ready to sit down for circle time
We ‘chat on the mat’, in a circle, we make friends, learn to be kind and sing our ‘Hello’ song
We paint, stick, draw, look at books, play number games, build models, explore music, sand and water. We learn to share, to listen, count, play games and do puzzles. The grown ups help us to choose and talk to us a lot. Sometimes we go to the library or for a walk. We play with the cars, trains and all the other toys. We have fun and learn at the same time. We dress up and make cakes. We are very busy. We play inside and outside in groups. Sometimes we go on the computer. We are playing and learning all of the time
We tidy up our activities, wash our hands and get ready for our snack
We choose a healthy snack and drink and sit for a few minutes, we sing our good manners song
We have some physical time in a group so we can be big and strong, we dance, play with parachutes, or go for a walk
We go outside together to play. We learn to climb and balance, throw and catch, hop, skip, jump and ride bikes. We look at books and play in the tents or with the sand
We come in and sit down to listen to a story, learn some letters and sounds, we sing some action nursery and number rhymes
Some friends go home after story, some stay for lunch
After lunch we have a quiet time on the mat, we might watch Postman Pat or look at books
Some more of our friends arrive to chat on the mat. We play and learn indoors and outdoors all afternoon. We have another snack and story
After about 3.30pm some of us go home, but if we stay we eat our tea and play with the ‘big’ children again
At the end of the day everyone has gone home – nobody sleeps here!
We want to come again tomorrow
Your child will be encouraged to join in activities that may be related to a topic or theme. Please talk to
your child at home about these topics.
These may include:
All about me
Stories, songs and rhymes
On the Farm
People who help us
Television
A very limited amount of appropriate children’s TV may be watched for short periods to support learning during some sessions. After 3.30 p.m a suitable children’s video may also be provided to create a homely, relaxed feeling and help children unwind after a busy day.
“Keeping children safe and protecting them from harm or neglect”
Listening to and working with parents
Visitors such as traffic wardens, local policemen
Safety on outings
Missing child policy
Medical procedures
Staff attending child protection courses
Road safety topics – bright clothing, holding hands etc.
Absence due to infections policy
Photograph policy
Fire procedures
Books and stories about staying safe
Nursery security in and outdoors
Child protection policy
Accident book
Food hygiene
“Helping children to enjoy and achieve”
Promotion of the 7 areas of learning through play and fun activities
Planning and assessment of stepping stones and daily routine
Offering lots of choices
Supporting children with SEN
Promoting inclusion, equality and celebrating diversity
“Helping children to make a positive contribution to the setting and the community”
To setting
Taking responsibility – tidying up, helping to sweep the floor, giving things out etc.
Gardening
Taking care of each other
Looking after property
Taking part in fundraising and special events e.g. picnics, sing songs, parties
Bringing things in to share with others
Making decisions e.g about what new toys they want or what they want for the garden
Contributing to displays
To community
Harvest festival
Visiting local shops
Local walks
Explaining purpose and taking part in charity events
Stay and play sessions
Meeting people
Through Links with schools – assemblies, sports days etc.
A typical child’s day at Pathways