Oasis Kindergarten

Our aim is to provide a happy, secure and friendly environment in which all pupils are encouraged and challenged to fulfil their potential. We therefore strive to create an atmosphere where all pupils live amicably together, gain an awareness of others and begin to develop attitudes, values and beliefs based on good social behaviour. Each pupil should feel respected as an individual, gain in confidence, independence and self-esteem.

We are a happy, enterprising and successful kindergarten because we see education as a dynamic partnership between committed, well-qualified, loyal staff, interested parents and motivated pupils. Academically we set high standards and have an excellent record in preparing children to step up to full-time education. At the Kindergarten we follow the early foundation stage curriculum with some Montessori input.

Children and their families are welcome to visit our school and meet our staff; we can be contacted by telephone during the session or by email outside of sessional hours. Our policies, procedures and other details are available to view on our website or by request. OIK has an open door Policy.

Our staff will liaise with parents in identifying children’s needs and ensuring your child’s needs are in place. We encourage you to share your children’s interests, any likes/dislikes that your child may have, as well as sharing your family structure.

Child safety is paramount and all staff employed by us are checked and deemed suitable to be employed by us. To ensure children’s safety we maintain a high standard of teachers and assistants. We view communication between us as an important aspect and can adopt a number of strategies to communicate with parents depending on your availability; usually, it is through the child’s contact book or email. Additionally the key person is available at the end of the session; likewise you are always welcome to call us.

We are very familiar with working and liaising with other professionals and welcome them into our setting. Our priority is to ensure a happy safe environment and a smooth transition into main schools. We are happy to work with other settings, sharing information and working on individual targets together. All children have regular Assessment Reviews as they settle into pre-school, if we have any concerns about a child’s development we will inform you immediately as early intervention is crucial. Kindergarten is the grade which bridges students’ preschool educations with their future elementary school learning. There is still plenty of playing, singing and crafts in kindergarten but at OIK it is balanced with more rigorous writing, reading and math lessons. Students also continue to learn and get used to the routines of school, how to work in groups and how to be a successful student.

The expectations for what students should achieve and specifically, whether they should know how to read and write by the end of kindergarten, varies across schools and children’s individual abilities.

Our classrooms are organized by centres or areas which are divided by different subjects and different types of play. For example, a typical classroom may have the following centres: reading, arts and crafts, building and math toys, and a pretend play area. In addition to this, all classrooms have televisions and computors. The school day is structured with both time for free play, during which children can choose which centres to play in, as well as structured scheduled lessons devoted to each subject.

At OIK we strive to make learning fun and every Childs time with us a memorable experience. We have a varied timetable, which includes weekly lessons of: Arabic, English, Math, P.E, Drama, Music & movement, cookery, arts & craft and topics which comply with the British curriculum. We aim to give the children an interest in books, stories, rhymes, poems and music. We encourage the children to help adults write signs, posters, and their names to give them the confidence to eventually produce their own writings themselves.

Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another, and so extend their understanding this area of learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play.

Each term specially selected topics are chosen, so that the children learn a variety of inter-dependent skills based on a particular topic. Elements from key learning areas throughout the Foundation stage curriculum. We firmly believe that learning is fun and we place a very strong emphasis on practical work, from cooking to craft. Children are encouraged to use their imagination and develop dexterity as well as to enjoy themselves. Our activities are always undertaken with the utmost attention to safety.

Playtime is one of the most important aspects of the school day. Children learn to enhance their social skills by interacting with their peers and to develop their confidence and sense of responsibility. An exciting range of outdoor equipment encourages physical activity and helps to develop co-operation. Children are carefully supervised during playtime to ensure their safety.