In Killowen Nursery we aim to provide a safe, happy, supportive and caring environment in which all children will be valued as individuals and where their academic, emotional, physical and social needs are met.
Our school motto is 'Explore, excite, excel'
Our pupils engage in purposeful, child initiated play both indoors and outdoors which allows them to reach their full potential through 'Explore, excite, excel'.
In addition to our busy Nursery curriculum we are delighted to be involved in the Getting Ready to Learn project through our Big Bedtime Read and Happy Healthy Kids. We are also involved in Early Talk Boost and the Happy Smiles dental scheme.
Our Nursery Unit has 52 pupils in two classes. Killowen Nursery is now a recognized Forest School and we continue to enjoy our adventures in the outdoors on a daily basis!
The importance of play
While your child is at nursery school most of his/her time will be spent at play. Play, in all its aspects, is the principal means of learning for any young child. Consequently your child will experience all six areas of the N. Ireland curriculum through a progression of broadly based play activities. Children will be observed by staff daily which will help inform staff for future planning through child initiated learning. The staff meet weekly to plan the curriculum. Parents will be sent home a monthly plan of the curriculum via Seesaw.
Forest School
The N. Ireland Forest School programme is an educational programme developed on the Danish idea of schools working with children in the outdoors. This helps to develop:
- Self esteem
- Social skills
- Independence
Through hands on activities with natural materials. Children develop practical and intelligential skills which can be linked to the N. Ireland curriculum. As every child's needs are individual Forest School ensures that children achieve in an enjoyable way allowing them to 'Explore, excite, excel'.
Social Development
Includes the development of friendships, the ability to interact with peers and adults, the appreciation of the needs and rights of others and independence and responsibility.
Intellectual Development
Includes the development of:
- concentration and listening skills
- natural curiosity, questioning, observation and exploration
- language, ie vocabulary, fluency and the use of language;
- appreciation of stories, poems and songs
- basic mathematical and scientific concepts
- creative and aesthetic expression through various media
