Parent's Evening” at Learning Curve

Our first event of 2006 was an evening for parents and carers of the older children. This was an opportunity for parents to find out what their children get up to all day, and to gain some valuable CPD—Continuous Parental Development! Here is one parent’s account of the evening.

"Parent's Evening” at Learning Curve certainly was an experience. As we
all arrived for "registration" we quietly and anxiously eyed each other up
not knowing what to expect. Within 10 minutes of arrival we had become our
children. As Naida explained the agenda of events there was a low murmuring of nerves but not for long before we were whisked away to participate in a "day in the life of" our children.           

The Warm Up Act

Task one, how many blocks would fit in the pot. Sheepishly we attempted it, feeling total dread that we wouldn’t be able to achieve what our 3 years olds achieved on a daily basis.

Everybody: “one, two, three…..”

Task 2: making birds nests. Fear was replaced by excitement at once again being able to be creative without worrying about the carpet!

What to do with straw, pasta and glue...make a mess!

Task 3, "Who made that noise?". Just natural laughter and enjoyment was really beginning to show as all the parents began to relax. Task 4, 5, and 6 and by now I can honestly say I was ready to quit work and be 3 again!

OK, be serious now—teacher’s watching.

On a serious note, these were hours well spent. Not only was this an exceptionally well delivered, educational experience but surprisingly
enjoyable and an opportunity to meet and talk to other parents and learn about the inspirational role the team at learning curve have in the life of
our children.

We talked about those items our children love and we love to loathe and coincidently learnt that noise and mess were the front runners. Then it was back into Honey Street for some real education of the behind the scenes effort that goes into the planning of a day at nursery.

Here is another participant’s view:

We came to the evening feeling a little nervous and apprehensive but we were soon made to feel relaxed and welcome. We found all the Team to be really friendly and enthusiastic together with being so informative.

We found it really beneficial to meet with other Parents and to learn more about their children. It was also nice to learn their names as we only know them as '........ Mummy/Daddy’! It was a real eye-opener to learn just how much work and planning is involved by all the Team to prepare for the topics and exercises within them.

Which one washes whiter..?

It was good to find out how the children learn by enjoying their topics. It was interesting to learn at what ages the children do what activities and for how long and how this gets increased as the    children progress.

This sounds like ………… concentration!

The Team have definitely worked hard to achieve an excellent balance of fun, play and learning.

We came away feeling so proud of James'     Nursery.

Many thanks

So that’s how two of our parents saw the evening. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed seeing how their children were learning through play and activities and how all the activities relate to the Early Learning Goals that Ofsted has set down for early years education. It was fun and educational, and at the end all the parents got to go home with something they had created.

Yes - I made it!

And finally, here are a few comments from other parents:

Fantastic insight into what my children do mon-wed and why they are such well-developed children and love their nursery so much and have to wave every time they go around the Prince of Wales roundabout

Very informative & very helpful

An eye-opener into goes into preparing every day/every activity

The staff must have worked very hard in preparation for this evening

I wish I was 3 again!!

Are you all sitting comfortably? Then we’ll begin…