Emotional, Personal and Social Development

We strongly believe that if children are to learn effectively, they must feel safe, confident and good about themselves. At all times we will endeavour to build confidence and self-esteem by:

·       Gradually forming secure and stable relationships with the children as outlined in our Settling In Policy

·       Encouraging them to express their feelings and preferences within a supportive atmosphere

·       Developing simple positive rules which encourage safe practices alongside consideration towards others

·       Listening to the children when they are worried or upset

·       Praising them wherever possible by displaying positive attitudes and actions as outlined in our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy

·       Minimising confrontational situations by providing positive alternatives

·       Encouraging success by helping the children to overcome challenges which at first  appear difficult

As the children’s confidence within the Nursery grows, so too will their desire for independence. This will be encouraged by:

·       Maximising the opportunities for the children to make and express choices

·       Developing routines which encourage good personal hygiene habits

·       Involving the children in defined and active tidy up times

·       Using every opportunity to encourage them to dress themselves

We will organise our play spaces in order that the children can play alone, alongside others, with a particular friend or with a small group of others. As their relationships grow stronger we will provide imaginative contexts which will allow increasingly complex co-operative play to develop.

Sharing and turn-taking will be encouraged by staff at all times, while respecting the rights of all children to play individually at times.

As friendships grow, we believe that young children become increasingly aware of the needs, feelings and interests of themselves and other people. As part of this process we will nurture their view of themselves as part of a community, which values and cares for the people within it, as well as the environment around them.

We will help them to understand the beauty and diversity of our world by:

·       Fostering a sense of wonder at the natural world, through displays, interest tables and observations of phenomena such as rainbows, snowflakes and the seasons

·       Telling stories, looking at pictures, singing songs and celebrating festivals from a variety of cultures and religions

·       Encouraging positive attitudes to other people as outlined in our Equal Opportunities Policy

As a staff, we will aim to provide a happy, caring and supportive atmosphere, where laughter is common and tears are rare! Only then, can the learning begin!

Reviewed October 2003