West Dorset Living Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Value of Independent Early Years Education By Sarah Hollingsworth, Head of Gresham’s Pre-Prep School and IAPS’ recently-appointed Pre-Prep and Early Years Subject Adviser Albert Einstein famously said: “Logic will get you from A-B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” More recently, worldrenowned education expert and adviser Dr Ger Graus noted: “Children can only aspire to what they know exists.” These two much-quoted comments have a common theme and highlight the power of what children are exposed to during their early years and the impact this has on their future. Early years educators like myself have been entrusted with the important task of empowering those in our care with opportunities to develop essential life skills such as resilience, independence, kindness and imagination. But early years education has to start with what parents expose their children to at home, not least lots of love, exposure to reading, role modelling, but also choosing the best setting to entrust one of the most important people in their lives to. This is where it all begins. The period from birth to age eight is critical for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Optimal brain development requires a stimulating environment, nourishing food, top-quality care-givers and social interaction. Unsurprisingly, this is a hot topic for every government, not to mention the Princess of Wales, who has spoken recently about the importance of early years education. A massive part of that is having the best practitioners delivering this education and having the right opportunities and environments for them to learn in. I have been fortunate to work across the state-maintained and independent sectors and benefited from some of the very best training and guidance during my professional career, including incredible continuous professional development and leadership training. I am also the daughter of an early years teacher and, growing up, I witnessed how hard my mother worked and how much energy she gave to the children in her care. For the last seven years, I have been in a unique position as Headmistress of Gresham’s Nursery and Pre-Prep, a co-educational day and boarding school on the North Norfolk coast. The school has three parts: Nursery and Pre-Prep, The Prep School and The Senior School, each based on a different campus, allowing the children to have the security of friendships growing with them as they move through the school at crucial transition stages. Gresham’s believes that each child is different and has a gift. Our very youngest children, aged just two, are exposed to many opportunities, with access to all the school’s facilities as well as acres of woodland, swimming pool, astro turfs, tennis courts and sports hall. They experience opportunities which open their eyes to future jobs, interests and passions and also enjoy lessons in ballet and music, languages, computing, cooking, and outdoor learning half days. Research demonstrates high-quality opportunities help children to succeed. The independent sector is fortunate to have small class sizes and all the facilities and resources to offer this. There is no one more precious than our children. They are the future – and the future for a hopeful world. So, our task is simple. We work to create an environment where happy, relaxed, calm, courteous and curious children can flourish and be their best. 12 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
COSY THIS Christmas You can bring the most wonderful time of the year to your bedroom this Christmas, thanks to all of the gorgeous bedding sets on offer. Add a miniature Christmas tree, you can get one of these from supermarkets, and you can create a super Christmassy feel in your room, without it costing the earth. Here, we take a look at some of our favourites: Dog lovers everywhere will covet this doggy bedding set. Available in either red or grey, this designer quality comes at an affordable price. Super cute and cosy, this will light up any room. Olivia Rocco Christmas Dogs Duvet Cover, Currently priced at £11.95 for single and £13.95 for double Stockist Details: www.amazon.co.uk Pokemon Duvet Set, from Asda from £19. Carved Fleece Polar Bear Bedding Set M & S from £29.50 Prep School Excellent in all areas ‘Pupils demonstrate high levels of self-confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness and perseverance. Pupils' communication skills are excellent and applied confidently across the curriculum and beyond.’ ISI Inspection Report, March <strong>2023</strong> Welcoming pupils from 2 years to 13 years To arrange a personal tour with the Head, please call us on 01305 262306 or scan the QR code to go to our website and book your visit. We look forward to meeting you! South Walks Road, Dorchester, DT1 1EB | sunninghillprep.co.uk www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T S A NOTE from the edi
Page 5 and 6: Illuminate Winter Lights at Abbotsb
Page 7 and 8: NEW COTTON PYJAMA AND KIMONO RANGE
Page 9 and 10: Disney’s Wish Star Plush by Simba
Page 14 and 15: STYLISH Stays Katie Thomson heads f
Page 16 and 17: FREE EVENT Holiday Let Insights wit
Page 18 and 19: Cooking for CHRISTMAS We have some
Page 20 and 21: Renovate & ELEVATE We take a deeper
Page 22 and 23: when you’ve gone shopping, and ad
Page 24 and 25: est. 2003 Will Your Fence Survive T
Page 26 and 27: CARE CONSIDERATIONS: OPTIONS FOR CA
Page 29 and 30: Celebrating Spring at Friary C This
Page 31 and 32: Selwood House Care Home Our brand-n

West Dorset Living Dec 2023 - Jan 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?