Stepping Stones Preschool
Stepping Stones Preschool is an integral part of Elburton Primary School. It is open for children aged 2 to 4 years old and the morning session runs from 8.30 am to 11.30 am. Lunch is from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm and our afternoon session is 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm. We also run a Breakfast Club from 7.45 am to 8.30 am. For further information regarding your child who is currently at Stepping Stones or if you would like to enquire about your child starting at Pre School, please call the Manager Cathy Price on Tel. 01752 401300.
Email: steppingstones@elburton.plymouth.sch.uk
Sports Day/Graduation
After weeks of practicing, the children loved taking part in our Sports Day/ Graduation event. They were very proud to show their parents and extended family their achievements and a good time was had by all.
New Starters
It's been a busy start to the New Term, and it has been lovely to see both familiar and new faces. Our older children have immediately settled back into our routine and are able to show the younger and new children how the session runs and help them settle and have fun. All new starters should bring along a spare set of clothes and a named water bottle and a packed lunch if they are staying for lunch. The Preschool provides a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon healthy snack.
Penny Well
The children at Stepping Stones joined Elburton Primary School's foundation class for a fun day at Penny well in December 2019. They had lots of fun playing in the soft play area, taking part in the Nativity and visiting the animals as well as visiting Father Christmas to receive their present.
Book Corner
We have introduced a Book corner to the Preschool, somewhere the children can have some quiet time, to sit and look at a book or just relax and interact with their friends. It is working very well and the children are enjoying having a dedicated space in which to unwind and they have helped to make an 'Elmer collage' to put up in the Book corner.
Preschool Themes
The children enjoy participating in a variety of themes and learning opportunities, throughout the Preschool environment. We plan for specific events and in the moment activities and work closely with the Foundation team to ensure shared thinking. We have recently celebrated Chinese New Year and the children have been encouraged to try oriental foods at snack time, such as noodles, prawn crackers and dips. Our winter theme involved making igloos out of sugar cubes and marshmallows. The children noticed that whilst manipulating the marshmallows, they became sticky so they used them to stick the sugar cubes together.
Garden
The children enjoy quality time in the garden, where they are free to explore all resources, such as water, sand, mud and sports equipment in a safe and secure environment and access all areas in all weather conditions, gaining independence by helping to put on their own wellie boots. We have recently had some diggers and trucks donated to us and the children have been using them as a construction site, transporting sand and pebbles.
Crafts
The children love being creative and are encouraged to use their own ideas. They explore using their senses and a variety of materials and they particularly enjoy painting and decorating biscuits/cakes.
Mathematics
The Preschool encourages numerous mathematical activities through play in a variety of formats such as mathematical equipment, numicon shapes, small pegs and compare bears and introducing mathematical concepts such as smaller and larger, more than and less than and sorting different objects. We also have an interactive whiteboard that the children can access for educational games and mark making.
Imaginative Role Play
The children are given opportunities to extend their play by being encouraged to voice and act out their ideas and support each others suggestions. They enjoy playing in the home corner, hospitals, vets, hairdressers and travel agents, developing their social skills and interacting with their peers.
Tuesday Mornings at EPS
On Tuesday mornings, a member of staff at Stepping Stones takes 6 of our Rising 5 children to Elburton Primary School to play in their foundation area and interact with the Reception children. As many of our children will go to Elburton in September, this will help towards their transition into primary school and they will be familiar with the Reception teachers.