Children start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born. The care and education offered by Tiptoe Butterflies helps children to continue to do this by providing the children with interesting activities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. We provide a broad, rich and challenging environment, which takes into  account of the experiences, interests and needs of individual children.

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Children will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.

Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are: 

• Communication and language

• Physical development

• Personal, social and emotional development

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These prime areas are those most essential for children’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are: 

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

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Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child initiated activities. Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.

Each child will be assigned a Key Person when they start attending the Pre-school. The Key person will help ensure that the child’s learning and care is tailored to meet the individual needs, whilst supporting the parents/carers in guiding their child’s development at home.

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Assessment

We assess how young children are learning and developing by observing them frequently. We use information that we gain from observations, as well as from photographs or videos of the children, to document their progress and where this may be leading them. We believe that parents know their children best and we ask them to contribute to assessment by sharing information about what their children like to do at home and how they as parents are supporting development.

We make periodic assessment summaries of children’s achievement based on our ongoing development records. These form part of children’s records of achievement. We undertake these assessment summaries at regular intervals as well as times of transition, such as when they go on to school. Your child's record of achievement helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well-being and to make progress. 

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The progress check at age two

The Early Years Foundation Stage requires that we supply parents and carers with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three prime learning and development areas of the EYFS: personal, social and emotional development; physical development; and communication and language; when a child is aged between 24 - 36 months. The key person is responsible for completing the check using information from ongoing observational assessments carried out as part of our everyday practice, taking account of the views and contributions of parents and other professionals.