The GEM Federation

Here at Little Stars our vision is to provide high quality, play based early childhood education for 2-year olds in the local community. We ensure a safe, nurturing, home from home environment where children’s needs and interests inspire planning to extend learning. Children make use of a range of indoor and outdoor spaces with the best resources which allow children to maximise their learning experience.

Little Stars provides early education and childcare for children aged two to three providing both government funded places.

Much like Nursery and Reception at Bessemer Primary School, the learning in Little Stars is based on the seven areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the Little Stars curriculum focuses heavily on the prime areas of learning as it is these areas which support learning in all other areas of the EYFS curriculum and are fundamental to children’s early development.

Prime Areas of Learning

The Prime areas are:

Communication and Language Development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food
Personal, Social and Emotional Development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

All of the activities and provision are planned to support the Characteristics of Effective Learning

Playing and Exploring – finding out and exploring, playing with what they know and being willing to ‘have a go’.
Active Learning – being involved and concentrating, persevering and enjoying achieving, what they set out to do.
Creating and Thinking Critically – having their own ideas, making links and choosing ways to do things.

A Typical Day in Little Stars

The day consists of a combination of child-initiated play and group sessions. Group sessions include singing, speaking and listening and storytelling activities particularly designed to encourage language development.

During the week we also offer indoor physical development sessions in which all children can practice key skills to support their physical development.

The environment is equipped to meet the needs, interests and stage of development of each child, igniting curiosity and providing opportunities for quality independent play.

Typical Day in Little Stars AM:

8:00am	Welcome, settling in and breakfast
9:00am	Group time, welcome songs and singing/ story time
9:20am	Choosing time / adult led activities
10:00am	Snack time
10:20am	Choosing time / adult led activities/ nature garden
11:00am	Choosing time in the Early Years playground
11:40am	Story time
12:00pm	Lunch time

Typical Day in Little Stars PM:

12:30pm	Arrival of afternoon session children
1:00pm	Sleep time/ Group time for afternoon children, welcome songs and singing/ story time
1:20pm	Choosing time / adult led activities
2:30pm	Snack time
3:00pm	Choosing time in the Early Years playground
3:40pm	Story time
4:00pm	Tea time
4:30pm	Choosing time / adult led activities
5:45pm	Home time