Sapling Class is home to some of our youngest children and is spread over two interlinked rooms, we offer morning sessions from 8:30am to 11:30am and afternoon sessions from 12:10 pm to 3:10 pm. During these sessions, every child will receive a healthy snack and drink. For those parents who require it, we also offer full day sessions running from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Children attending these full sessions are welcome to bring a packed lunch, or parents/carers can order their little one a fresh hot meal from our school kitchen.
We are very lucky to have an experienced team skilled in providing children with the best learning opportunities and in nurturing every child. Each team member brings to Sapling unique strengths and we are privileged to have such a high quality team. Every moment in Sapling class is about playing and learning and so there will never be a time when our team members are not engaged with the children.
Each child will be assigned a ‘key worker’; a member of staff that each child has bonded with. Our key workers get to know their children, track their development and provide a personalised learning experience. Within key groups our curriculum is broken down even further and tailored to meet the needs of those children. Our motto is ‘stage not age’.
In Sapling class, we love to sing. Singing significantly supports language through rhythm and repetition, encourages concentration and promotes social skills by creating a sense of belonging and cooperation within groups. Developing the children’s social skills and communication skills is incredibly important to us in Sapling Class. We do this in a variety of ways including through planning, turn taking games, small group activities and specific stories based on the children’s interests and levels of development. We follow the ‘Total Communication approach’, using visuals, signs and gestures to support the children in all aspects of their day.
Sapling class offers a spacious environment with areas of continuous provision which reflect the EYFS framework, our school curriculum intent and school motto, ‘All Together, Aiming High’. Children learn through play and continuous provision is a large part of our day. We have several permanent areas of provision: Role Play, Small world, Expressive arts and design area, Sand and Water, two Reading Corners and Fine Motor area. These areas are available each day but will be provided with different resources to enhance them based on the children’s interests. All resources chosen are used to encourage the children’s communication and interaction skills.
One of our classrooms has been specifically set up by the team to provide our children with a large area to develop their physical skills; with a slide, steps and a ramp, spinning chair and soft play. This area helps to build the children’s confidence and encourages them to challenge themselves. We also have sessions in our school hall. In the hall, the children can enjoy activities such as dancing, climbing, throwing and catching, ring games and soft play.
In Sapling Class, we love spending time outside and using this as an extension of our learning environment. We have access to numerous areas that provide a range of experiences. We have our sensory garden with extra large sandpit and multi-function flooring where we use resources such as see saws, balls, bats and musical instruments. On the other side of our classroom we have an outside area where the children can practice their skills using pedal bikes, balance bikes and ride on toys. The large Orchard garden is also available to us where the children are encouraged to really notice the environment; children use the natural resources on offer, notice the insects crawling on the logs and the leaves changing colour. We are also extremely fortunate to have designated slots in Forest School where we explore water, mud, bubbles, swing gently on the hammock and much more. The team work closely with Dr Helen Bibby to plan for Forest school with our children in mind to ensure they get the most out of each session.
The Sapling team looks forward to meeting you very soon and supporting you as you begin your Ganneys Meadow journey.
