Module Information

The first part relates to the "Pre-School Setting" (3-5 year old child) and involves a discussion of the different types of provision, the nature of the pre-school learning environment, the importance of play and the role of supporting agencies. A proportion of the seminars for this module will focus upon the Foundation Phase in Wales.
The second part relates to the "Infant Setting" (5-7 year old child) and involves a discussion of the relevant part of the "National Curriculum", the nature of the learning environment and the relevance of the "Code of Practice, Identification and Assessment of Special Needs" document within this context.
In addition to the lectures each student will make one visit (i.e. two half days) to a local playgroup or a nursery to experience and observe children at play. This practical visit is an important element within the course, illustrating many of the aspects covered in the course.

Lectures are based on the following topics:
Lecture 1: An historical overview - the development of pre-school education - relevant legislation and key players. Video - "An invitation to play" Wales PPA Cymru.
Lecture 2: Different forms of pre-school provision, voluntary, statutory and private. Differences in style, emphasis and organisation, parental involvement and provision for special needs.
Lecture 3: The Desirable Outcomes and the Early Learning Goals - the implications for the Early Years Programme.
Lecture 4: The organisation of a pre-school session, free and structured play activities needed to meet different ages, stages, background and experience of the children, the ratio of, and role of adults, involving the community.
Lecture 5: The development of early literacy - linguistic development and the use of language, books, rhymes and stories, early reading and early writing experiences.
Lecture 6: The development of the child's understanding of the world - recognising features of the local environment, distinctions between past and present, communicating their findings by various means such as talk, pictures or simple charts and designing, making and using assembled materials and components.
Lecture 7: The infant curriculum - with reference to the National Curriculum Criteria. The relevance of the integrated approach to enhance learning, developing attitudes, skills and concepts.
Lecture 8: Preparation for pre-school visit, simple observation of children at play - talking and relating to young children and contributing to the play situation.
Lecture 9: Establishing links with supporting agencies e.g. NSPCC, Child Welfare, social services, child psychologist, working in partnership as specified by the Children Act of 1989.
Lecture 10: Focusing on the Code of Practice - catering for the child with special needs, physical, emotional and intellectual within pre-school settings, mainstream classrooms and special units/schools. An examination of resources, classroom organisations and the relevant sections of the National Curriculum.

Seminars are based on the following:
Seminar 1: Getting to know one another - recalling own pre-school experiences.
Seminar 2: Play
Seminar 3: Foundation Phase in Wales I
Seminar 4: Foundation Phase in Wales II
Seminar 5: Organising a pre-school session
Seminar 6: Literacy Skills
Seminar 7: History and geography in the Infant Curriculum
Seminar 8: Pre-School visits
Seminar 9: An effective Infants Teacher
Seminar 10: Catering for children with special needs.