Ashfield Nursery – High Scope

At Ashfield Nursery we believe that children learn best through active learning, which is why we implement the High-scope approach alongside the EYFS.

The High-scope approach supports children’s learning through their play. It helps children to develop their language, self-esteem and confidence.

Social & Intellectual Skills Development

The High-scope approach encourages children to think for themselves and make their own decisions. It encourages children to learn at a level they feel comfortable and confident with, therefore enhancing the opportunity for developing many social and intellectual skills.

Children Are Active Learners

This approach is based on the belief that young children build and construct their own knowledge of the world. The children are ‘Active learners’, this means that children will discover things through direct experiences with people, objects, events and ideas e.g. they learn best when pursuing their own interests.

Active learners become engaged in their own play because they have chosen to do so. We encourage the children to become engaged in activities and interactions that are enjoyable and are related to their current interests. This allows them to experience feelings of control, success and competence.

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High Scope Philosophy

All of our nurseries follow the High Scope philosophy. By this philosophy we seek to gently commence the development of independence and social skills in the children.

The children are encouraged to sit down with the staff and help to plan out the day’s activities.
At the end of each session they participate in a review of how the activities went, what they enjoyed about them etc.

The slightly older children enjoy role-plays, which develop further their interactive skills as they explore situations together in pairs or groups.

This active learning style follows a pattern of:

• Coming together to plan the activity.
• Enjoying the free play.
• Talking about it individually.
• Discussing the activity as a group.

Many nursery care systems focus purely on adult led activities. By encouraging the children to participate in this ‘plan – do – review’ style, they learn to compromise and develop co-operative relationships with each other by expressing themselves and listening to others.

One significant benefit recognised from this approach is that it tends to bring the quieter children out of their shell.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the High Scope philosophy please contact the appropriate nursery manager.