Our Program

An early childhood education at Hopscotch focuses on the child as an active, competent learner and recognises the family’s important role in supporting this vision. The daily life in school is rich in experiences that draw on the children’s abilities and interests while stimulating new learning and curiosity. We seek to cultivate natural curiosity and an eagerness to learn. We believe that children thrive in a warm, loving environment that gives them confidence to explore. We will be responsive and nurturing, encouraging children to take risks, try new things and build relationships with peers and adults. Our space will provide a kind and loving environment that will promote social and emotional growth and encourage learning. Ultimately, we want every child’s first school experience to build a love for learning that provides a strong foundation for future success.

Our Space

Our indoor and outdoor space provides children with a perfect platform to experience and develop all areas of our curriculum in a natural setting. Children are taught to embrace the simple joys of life whether playing in the sand area, tinkering in the construction zone, creating a messy masterpiece with paint and glue in the creative corner or giving their gross motor skills a workout on the balance bridge.

Time spent surrounded by nature can promote a sense of balance and calmness in a child and also improves focus, concentration and most importantly health. At Hopscotch we are fortunate to have access to the beautiful, local countryside and the children will regularly be out on mini adventures, exploring and investigating.

“Before a child talks they sing. Before they write, they draw. As soon as they stand they dance. Art is fundamental to human expression.”

— Phylicia Rashad

Monthly Themes

Each month we will focus on a core theme, this will be based on a book and all activities will be centred around that particular theme. Parents will be provided with online monthly newletters that will inform them of all the exciting things that their child will be learning about that month.

Our Food

We are fortunate to have our own in/house chef Gary who prepares lunch and snacks on the premises every day. He believes that children’s food should be delicious as well as nutritious and his menus are planned to foster a love of good food and to encourage children to enjoy new flavours. Wherever possible we source our food from local organic producers. Lunch will be served at 1200 and we will provide healthy organic snacks in the morning (1030) and afternoon (1500). We are a nut-free school and monthly menus will be sent by email. If any child has allergies this will be discussed in the initial introduction meeting.

Siestas

Children will have the option to have a siesta between 1300-1500. It is not compulsory but recommended. If you intend to pick your child up during these hours, for whatever reasons, please do so before or after these times, we try not to disturb the children when they are sleeping.

Aromatherapy

We will use essential oils in our classrooms to purify our air with antibacterial and antiviral oils, as a trained aromatherapist I believe that essential oils can keep most bugs at bay.

Sustainability

At Hopscotch Nursery, every effort has been made to create a habitat in harmony with nature, helping both our children and the environment. Our commitment is to be as green as possible. So, how do we achieve this?

Innovative recycled teaching tools and communication encouraged via email or website to save paper
Conservation and eco-friendly community projects
Use of non-toxic and recycled ECO friendly toys and outdoor equipment made from recycled materials where possible.
Use of green products to maintain hygiene standards
An organic compost heap to nourish our organic vegetable patch, free from pesticides and other chemicals
Low flush toilets and energy saving light bulbs
Reduced waste by recycling paper, cans, and glass
We encourage parents to bring in old containers to be recycled and used in our creative corner