At Newcastle Community Preschool, we are a play based preschool. During a child’s preschool period, children’s language, social emotional and cognitive skills are rapidly expanding. During this period, the stimulation and learning that come from play, reading, singing and interacting with peers and caring adults at home and in quality early education settings are essential. Play in the preschool years enables children to explore and make sense of the world around them, as well as to use and develop their imagination and creativity.

Play sets the foundation for the development of critical social and emotional knowledge and skills. Through play, children learn to forge connections with others, and to share, negotiate and resolve conflicts, as well as learn self-advocacy skills. Play also teaches children leadership as well as group skills. Furthermore, play is a natural tool that children can use to build their resilience and coping skills, as they learn to navigate relationships and deal with social challenges as well as conquer their fears, for example through re-enacting fantasy heroes

Our typical day may include some activities such as painting, baking, role playing, outdoor play, nature walks, bus trip excursions, singing, drawing etc. We want the children to take in as much hands on learning and exploring as possible whilst having fun and not realising they are learning. These are the core experiences children use to go forward to primary school where they will apply what they have learned day to day at preschool and add to these in primary school.