During the summer of 2013 when so much time was spent on the beach and seeing how much the children enjoyed this time outdoors and how much was learnt in the different areas of development ways were looked at how to take the setting forward. One way was to create Beach School sessions.
The concept of a Beach School is for children to learn more about the world outside, to appreciate nature and look after the natural world. We have spent a lot of time on the beach exploring, building sandcastles, mark making, getting involved in role play, talking and having picnics.
A Beach School qualification enhances our setting and enables us to utilise the beach area even more for outdoor play for the children to learn more and also to help support the children to learn about the coastal environment and introduce them to conservation. Jackie, our Manager has completed the Level 3 Beach Schools Practical Skills and Environmental Management course which was done in Devon in November 2013.
The Beach Schools qualification can be utilised independently to assure yourselves as parents of children attending Preschool and Ofsted, local authorities etc. that Beach School Practitioners:
"Consider children’s safety as paramount, exercise good practice at all times use the marine shores and beaches in a sustained way for the benefits of future generations are continually productive in educating our children on the coastline with their unique qualities and habitats."
Beach school session risk assessments, tide times, and normal operational procedures are displayed along with photos of beach school activities are displayed on our beach school display.
Preschool also has its very own beach hut along the Sutton-on-Sea promenade. This is our home from home while we are at that end of the beach; the beach hut has its own large secure grass area which the children love to play football and just run for the fun of it on!
Sessions will be dependent on the weather of course as children's safety and comfort is always put first. The number of times we visit the beach will increase again as the weather gets better.