By Mrs Wheat, Nursery Manager
The Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) outlines the four capabilities which are the objectives of every child’s education: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. The Scottish Government has recognised that the CfE is the ‘totality of experiences which are planned for children [and is] a canvas upon which their learning experiences are formed’.
At Robert Gordon’s College Nursery, we embrace the interdisciplinary approach promoted by the CfE which is evident in all aspects of our pedagogy - the methods and practices we use to help children learn. We are dedicated to facilitating their learning journey through our proven blended approach which combines play-based activities provided by our class teacher, dedicated early years staff with regular interactions with our specialist teachers. We believe that this holistic approach provides the children with a stimulating environment that is a catalyst for their cognitive development.
Friedrich Froebel, often referred to as the father of the modern kindergarten, believed that “play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” At Robert Gordon’s College, we fully endorse this philosophy and provide the children with a wide variety of exciting resources which are designed to inspire and provoke their cognitive development through play. Whether indoors or outdoors at the nursery, or during our weekly visits to Countesswells, the children are immersed in a learning environment that encourages curiosity, develops imagination and enhances confidence. We strive to create a culture of collaborative, problem-based learning that promotes social interaction and courtesy where the children recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion. This is essential to our principal objective which is ensuring that the Scottish Government’s ‘Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)’ is central to everything we do.
The blended approach to learning at Robert Gordon’s College is made possible by our unique combination of early years professionals and specialist teachers who collaborate closely in their roles as facilitators in the children’s journey of cognitive development. Our dedicated early years professionals are supported by a full-time class teacher and specialists in French, Mandarin, art, drama, music and PE. The wellbeing of the children is at the centre of everything we do and the promotion of numeracy and literacy across all areas of the Nursery ensures a holistic learning experience. We provide children with the essential support or ‘scaffolding’ that enables them to grow and develop.
We recognise that numeracy is so much more than simply the study of numbers and that it encapsulates a range of broader mathematical concepts such as measurement and problem solving. Similarly, we acknowledge that our nursery children are at the beginning of their literacy journey that will last from ‘womb to tomb’ (Alexander, P., The path to competence: A lifespan developmental perspective on reading (2005) Journal of Literacy Research 37(4): 413-436). Our blended approach fosters phonological awareness, enhances the development of fine motor skills, communication, creativity and self-expression by providing exposure to print and language in all aspects of nursery life. Effective staff observation and the utilisation of pedagogical documentation provide us with important evidence of the children’s understanding and development in relation to the learning objectives of the curriculum. As reflective practitioners, staff use this documentation to inform curriculum planning on a child-led basis and to ensure that every voice is heard.
Collaboration between all stakeholders is essential to a successful, fulfilling and rewarding nursery experience. At Robert Gordon’s College, we aim to build a solid partnership with all of our families, one that will continue to flourish as the nursery children embark on their educational journey through the junior and senior school. This partnership is essential to our blended approach at Robert Gordon’s College Nursery, ensuring that every child realises the ambition which is central to the School motto, omni nunc arte magistra - to be all you can be.