Cherry Pips Preschool is part of Cherry Orchard Primary Academy we are one of the thirteen primary schools in the Leigh Academies Trust.
In November 2021 we were judged 'Outstanding' in our recent Ofsted inspection.
We offer 24 Preschool places to children the September after their 3rd birthday. As we are part of Cherry Orchard Primary Academy we are able to utilise the resources and environment around us to provide a stimulating and exciting learning experience whilst encouraging the children to develop a sense of independence. We operate a Breakfast Club and After School Provision in line with the main school.
Cherry Orchard - Early Years Vision
To create a safe, happy environment, supervised by a dedicated and supportive staff team
To build positive relationships between children, staff, parents and other agencies.
To foster creativity, innovation, confidence, resilience and independence. To ensure that every single child feels valued, comfortable to discover and express who they are and shows pride in their every achievement.
How we teach and learn in Cherry Pips
Child Initiated / Planning in the Moment
We value the importance of child initiated learning. Planning 'in the moment' is all about seizing the moment for children to progress in their learning, whilst following their own interests. Based on what the children are already deeply involved in, this way of planning relies on our skilled practitioners to use quality interactions to draw out the children's knowledge and build upon it there and then (In the Moment). We observe the children in their play and look out for 'teachable moments' (moments during play which provides an opportunity for a practitioner to teach the child) which we then act upon in order to ensure the children progress.
Adult Led / Provocations
Provocations spark interest, stimulate thoughts and ideas and encourage questioning. The aim of a learning provocation is to inspire a child to wonder and think. They allow and encourage children to experience the world for themselves through open-ended, hands-on activities that promote talk. The reason we use provocations in play is to encourage children to think independently while supporting and exploring their own interests as well as introducing them to new ideas.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
At COPA we follow the IB PYP programme, leading children’s inquiries across a number of Transdisciplinary Themes. Staff decide on a Central Idea which is then discussed with the children so that their input, ideas and questions create a unique learning journey, based upon their interests and experiences. In order to respond quickly and effectively to children’s curiosities and needs, the teaching cycle of observation, assessment, planning, observation is carried out on a moment-by-moment basis. Adults’ observations of children at play lead to identification of teaching moments which are acted on immediately, when they will have the biggest impact on the child’s development. The role of the adult is to take the teaching to the child, supporting or extending their learning. This teaching takes many forms, including communicating and modelling language, showing, explaining, demonstrating, exploring ideas, encouraging, questioning, recalling, providing a narrative for what they are doing, facilitating and setting challenges.