Learning

Our approach to Early Years Education and child development has evolved over a number of years and our success is illustrated by the excellent outcomes we have achieved for our children.

We organize the day for the children to ensure that from the earliest opportunity they have access to resources that enable them to explore the world around them and learn through "playing with it". As their individual capabilities develop we build more structure and planning into the activities they can choose, each thoughtfully considered to extend their learning in specific areas.

Whatever their age there is sufficient freedom within the planning for them to extend their learning in whichever way they want through play, the cultivation of imagination, independence and social interaction. At primary school Bognor House children are often recognised for their self confidence, ability to get on with other children, eagerness to learn and knowledge of the world.

"During a puppet show children thoroughly engage their imaginations. They sit as a whole group and learn to look, to listen and to respond. They enthusiastically respond to the story being told and are encouraged to name or guess the animal being described before it appears. They excitedly tell each other about the long neck of the giraffe. They use number and size language spontaneously to describe the animals. Staff show skill in drawing children out to talk in the group. Staff respond flexibly so that children maintain their concentration, for example, children are prompted to show their 'grumpy' faces and to express emotion. They spontaneously decide to enthusiastically sing at the tops of their voices to the snake and to the other animals thereafter." Comment from our Ofsted report following our inspection in June by Mr Tim Butcher.