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Little Explorers Kindergarten Riverside


Little Explorers Kindergarten approach is built upon the strong understanding that every child is a unique individual with a set of talents and interests to be supported and developed upon. Every child has an insatiable thirst for knowledge with unlimited potential, here at Little Explores Kindergarten we tap into this potential and support children in how to think independently, rather than what to think.

 

Our settings provide many exciting opportunities for learning through play with natural resources and real world materials to encourage a unique stimulating environment that provides a platform for awe, discovery and wonder in young minds.

The preschool uses the the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum to support learning holistic within our indoor and outdoor environment.

Our caring, professional and nurturing highly qualified staff encourage the children within our care to become confident, resilient learners,whom are critical and creative problem solvers capable of independent thought.

 

 

Who to contact

Contact Name
Carol Atkins
Website
littleexplorers-kent.co.uk

Where to go

Address
Riverside Community Centre
Dickens Road
Gravesend
Kent
Postcode
DA12 2JY
Notes

We take educational visits to Forest school :

 

Forest school is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with nature.

Forest school is a specialised learning approach that sites within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

The ethos is shared by many practitioners across the UK and beyond. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning and across the sea to Scandinavia.

At Forest School all explorers are viewed as :

  • Unique and valuable
  • competent to explorer and discover
  • entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenges
  • entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development
  • entitled to experience regular success
  • entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and others
  • entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world

This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session and programme with discovery and difference. Yet each programme does also share a common principles, aimed ar ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits Forest School offers.

 

''The best classrooms and the richest cupboards is only roofed by the sky''

Margaret McMillian

 

''Nature Pedagogy is an understanding of our sense of belonging to land, our sense of working with nature. There is a pedagogical shift when you move outside into nature... Its  learning with nature, not just teaching about it... nature is a powerful teacher''

Claire Warden

When is it on?

When is childcare available
Term Time Only
Carescheme Age Range:
2 year(s), 0 month(s) to 4 year(s), 0 month(s)
Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 08:45 15:15
Tuesday 08:45 15:15
Wednesday 08:45 15:15
Thursday 08:45 15:15
Friday 08:45 15:15

Other Details

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£20.00 Per session
ECD Type
Day Nursery
Offers pickups
No
Cost(s)
Cost details
We offer an additional service of Lunch Club which cost £6 per session and you will be required to provide a packed lunch.
Lunch Club operates 11.45am - 12.15pm
Immediate vacancies?
Yes
Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?
Yes
Vacancy range
Vacancy Range
Start AgeEnd AgePlaces
2 4
Vacancy Information Last updated Date
01/06/2023
Wheelchair Access
Yes

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
EY470680
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

30 Hours Extended Entitlement

30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement)

We offer 30 hours funding Term Time only

Attendance is 8.45am - 11.45  &  12.15pm - 3.15pm ( Monday - Friday )

We close 11.45am - 12.15pm.

If  you require Lunch Club which is 11.45am - 12.15pm this is an additioanl service which you can opt into. 

However this service is only for a limited number of children. Due to the demand for places proirity is offered to 30 hour funded children.

The fee for Lunch Club is £6 per session and you will need to provide your child with their own packed lunch.

Support with Childcare Costs

Free for 2 (families with 2 year olds receiving additional forms of government support)?
Yes
Universal Entitlements
Yes
Working Parents Entitlement
Yes

Service status

Status
Open

Local Offer

Links

Special Needs Support

How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND? 

 At Little Explorers Kindergarten we have an online journal which parents / carers can access freely to view their child's progress.

Our team carry out regular child based observations including Progress Checks at age 2 yrs and at at the end of each full term a progress review.

Our curriculum covers the 7 areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage which also covers the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning.

Through observations we can identify children whom may need further supprt.

Every step of the way - we fully embrace the parents within the journey and value their imput.

How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported? 

Every child has a Key Person who is their first point of contact.

In addition we have experienced SENCO's who will support you through this process.

We would meet with you on the first instance to discuss any concerns that we may have and together with your agreement set Targets and a Personalise Plan to be reviewed.

This will help to have a clear vision of what we are doing to support and how we will monitor and review.

 

 

How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs? 

We are continually adapting our provision and planning to make it accessible to all our children.

We ask for continued feedback from the children, parents / carers and through practitioners reflection.

 

What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties? 

Through the EYFS curriculum our highly experienced practitioners are able to plan individually for our children, and in group activities differentiate learning and teaching to suit each child. This comes from knowing our children and how they best learn. 

Our SENCO and Key Person will monitor and ensure the child's targets are specific and together with parents work closely together. Along with following recommendations from outside agencies involved within the process.

We can also look to see what training is available to parents if they would like further understanding.

What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND? 

 We support  close working relationship between families, the child's key person and SENCO.

Along with working with outside agencies for consistency of care for the well being of the child.

We regularly monitor and review the impact and progress and share with parents/ carers.

How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this? 

 We observe children regularly which is uploaded online for parents / carers to access freely.

Parents can also upload any news and events they too would like to share.

We have reports at the end of each full term, which parents can access  and make comments - we carry out parents meetings to discuss and agree further plans moving forward.

How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips? 

 We ensure that parents / carers are involved in their child's learning and development ongoing.

We complete daily risk assessments.

 

How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users? 

 Our provision as a ramp on entering the building.

All rooms and outdoor areas are on one level allowing wheelchair access.

There is a disabled toilet 

How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school? 

New children about to start their adventure with Little Explorers Kindergarten are offered Stay and Play session firstly. This gives the child an opportunity to meet our team and explore our provision.

There after we arrange settle sessions where they build up the time they stay based on their own experience while their becoming familiar with Little Explorers Kindergarten

We have good relationships with local schools and invite the teachers along to come and meet the children leaving to attend their school. This gives the teachers an opportunity to observe and meet the child attending their class.

Parents access our online journal to see all updates on their child's progress.

When a child leaves to attend school - their journal can be downloaded when requested and they can have this precious keep sake

How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation? 

Our SENCO attend Local Inclusion Meeting and Forums to ensure they are kept up to date with the most current updates.

We receive regular updates via Kent Inclusive team.

We welcome all feedback along with monitoring impact to assess our effectiveness.

Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting? 

 Please visit our website    http://littleexplorers-kent.co.uk 

 

Or telephone Theresa Callaghan 

What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints? 

We have an open door policy.

We have a strict complaints policy that we adhere to 

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