EARLY YEARS
The Firs School Chester welcomes children from 0-11 years, with the newly opened all-year around Fir Cones Day Nursery catering especially for children from 0-4 years. This standalone nursery offers care 51 weeks of the year and focuses on developing a love of learning from this magic age.
In the September following their fourth birthday, children will enter Reception. Class sizes are small with a high teacher to child ratio, ensuring that every child experiences the best possible care and learning opportunities.
The Reception environment is well-resourced with a reading corner, role play area, creative and imaginative exploration area, and mathematics area as well as space for focused teaching and quiet work to take place.
Throughout the day children will be engaged in whole class, small group, and individual work with the teacher and teaching assistant. We have a dedicated Reception outdoor all-weather learning area which has a small gardening plot, sandpit, outdoor chalkboard, mud kitchen, water play, bikes, scooters, and large and small construction equipment. Free flow play is planned regularly throughout the day for children to access all Reception areas.
Our large pirate play ship is located in the main playground adjacent to the Reception classrooms and is used every day to enable physical development opportunities.
During the Reception year, children will start to bring home reading books, word books, and regular creative homework activities. This is done through a home school contact book and parental involvement is highly valued. The children visit the school library and regularly bring home books of their choice.
There is a strong emphasis on the key skills of mathematics and literacy with phonics being taught daily. Children have access to a wide range of technology including computers, chrome books, and tablets.
Throughout the year our Early Years team will continually observe and monitor children’s progress to plan for the next steps in learning.
The Early Years operate an open door policy and communication is very important. Teachers and teaching assistants are always happy to talk with you at the start and end of the day.
Here at The Firs School, we believe children will achieve their full potential when they are happy, engaged, and actively involved in their own learning.
