Welcome to Little Dragons 2 Year Olds provision at St George’s C of E School, Barrow-in-Furness. Our spacious and well-lit room also has direct access to a large playground with covered areas, gardens, mud kitchen and much more.
At Little Dragons our aim is to make every child’s first experience of school a positive one and as happy, fun and enjoyable as possible. We are committed to working in partnership with parents: by working together, we can enhance learning.
Our homely surroundings assist the transition between home and school; our priorities being the physical, emotional, intellectual and social wellbeing and development, of the children in our care.
Settling in
We want to work closely with you. All families are home visited by staff to learn about your child’s interests, their development, allergies and medical conditions. A minimum of 3 transition visits for you and your child will also take place before your child starts. This helps the staff to prepare for a smooth transition to Little Dragons.
Each child will have their own peg for coats and a drawer in which they can keep comforters, nappies, wipes and spare clothes.
Activities and routines
As your child arrives at the beginning of the session, they are encouraged to hang their coat on their own peg and then will be supported by staff as they make play choices. During each session, your child will engage in rich indoor and outdoor learning experiences. There will be opportunities for your child to work one-to-one with staff, and in small and large groups. Throughout the session, there will be access to drinks. A range of healthy snacks, milk, and water is provided. In line with school’s healthy eating policy we ask that children do not bring any drinks or food to Little Dragons unless previously agreed.
Important – Please let us know if your child is allergic to any food products.
You can read what your child will be learning about and the activities they will be taking part in that week on our Seesaw app.
Clothing
An Early Years version of the School uniform is available but is not compulsory. We recommend dark blue or black joggers are worn for ease of toileting. Please write your child’s name in all items of clothing and note that jewellery should not be worn. Please also ensure that your child has sufficient nappies and wipes for each session.
As the children spend a lot of time outside in all weathers, wellies should be provided as well as a suitable coat for outdoor play – please ensure the coat is warm and ideally waterproof with a hood.
Learning Away
Great importance is placed on nurturing your child’s love of learning outdoors. Little Dragons will use the minibuses and explore the local environment – beaches and parks for example, where provision for all the seven areas of learning will be made.
Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is how the Government and early year’s professionals describe the time in your child’s life between birth and age 5.
Our children explore a rich and stimulating curriculum based on the seven areas of learning: Personal, Social & Emotional Development, Communication & Language, Physical Development, Literacy Development, Mathematical Development, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts & Design.
We support each child through the allocation of a ‘Key Person’ who will build positive relationships with each parent and their child.
Communication and Sharing achievements
We will regularly observe your child at play to help us to understand and support their individual interests and curiosity. We want to really get to know the children as unique people with special skills, interests, and ideas. The more we understand your child, the better we can support their learning. These observations will be used to inform our planning and your child’s ‘Learning Journey’. Over time this will celebrate and tell a story about your child’s time with us and the experiences they enjoy. The learning journals are electronic using the Seesaw App. At St Georges, we strongly believe that working together supports your child and gives them the best learning opportunities. Therefore, we value your input into these learning journals and would love to hear about events, activities, or achievements, which have happened at home. Feel free to write us a note, have a chat to a member of staff, add a photo, drawing or message us using the Dojo app. Throughout the year, we will share ideas with you about how you can support your child’s learning at home.
We kindly ask that your child brings in their book bag each session as books will be sent home to share and so important letters can be placed in them. We will organise parent / staff meetings throughout the year to discuss how they are settling in and their achievements.
Moving into Nursery
Little Dragons work closely with St George’s Nursery. Therefore, when the time comes to move into nursery the children will already be familiar with the staff and classroom, ensuring that your child enjoys a smooth transition. Further information will be given during the transition period.
Admissions
Anyone wishing their child to attend must register online through Cumbria County Council Citizen Portal and complete a registration form, available from the office accessed from School Street. This does not guarantee a place though; staff will contact you.
We hope that you find this page useful. If you have any questions, please speak to a member of the Little Dragons team, who will be happy to help.
