All smiles at Pocklington’s new Pre-School

Children at Pocklington School’s new Pre-School are getting smile-ready for World Smile Day on Friday [Oct 6th], as they settle into their new classroom opened in response to parental demand.

From this term, three year-olds have been attending half and all-day sessions, enjoying specialist teaching aimed at helping them get ready for school.

The Pre-School’s emphasis on developing creative, visual and communication skills include a focus on World Smile Day, initiated by the smiley face image creator Harvey Ball in 1963, and whose message this year is: Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.

Kindness is one of the key teaching messages taught at the Pre-School, opened alongside Pocklington Pre-Prep this term after parents asked for them to help prepare their youngsters for school.

The first intake coincided with the publication of a report by the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and the Family and Childcare Trust, which said eight out of ten school leaders reported that many children arriving at primary school are not ready to take part in classroom activities.

The headteachers highlighted particular concerns about communication skills and physical development. Speech, language and communication problems were the biggest issues, with 97 per cent of respondents identifying these problems as a worry.

Sarah Cobb, Head of Pocklington Pre-School and Pre-Prep, said: “There has been increasing recognition that early childhood education and care provides the crucial foundation for learning and helps to develop cognitive and non-cognitive skills important for future success.”

“Parents are a child’s first educators and they are increasingly aware of the benefits to their children of first class early years education. The key to school readiness is not starting formal education earlier but nurturing children’s creativity, confidence, resilience and motivation within a safe and secure setting.”

Charlotte Tong, whose son Harry is among the new intake of three year-olds at Pocklington Pre-School, said: “We wanted him to be familiar with the setting and to make the transition into the reception class as easy as possible for him.”

“He particularly enjoys the PE and music activities. The teaching staff have made a huge impact on Harry and his confidence has grown in the few weeks he has been attending. With Harry being so happy and settled, it makes the transition not just easy on him but also easy on us as parents, too.”

If you are interested in having a look at the Pre-School, Pre-Prep or any other aspects of the 3-18 year old educational facilities at Pocklington School, there is an Open Morning on Saturday October 7, from 9.30am. 

For more information and to register, see: http://www.pocklingtonschool.com/open-morning-regi... or call 01759 321200.