We use the mixed-age approach in this setting, whereby Pre-school children are in a mixed age group removing stressful transitions from one group to another and enabling younger children to learn from older or more mature children. They also share breakfast and after-school sessions with the school children, were nurturing, sharing, and co-operation are encouraged to create a family atmosphere.
Quieter children can gain confidence and improved social skills from mixing with younger children and children are less likely to display aggressive behaviour or compete with others at the same stage of development. Being in a mixed age group helps children to extend skills physically, verbally, and socially and encourages them to develop an appreciation of the differing needs of younger and older children. They have access to many resources that may otherwise be restricted in age-appropriate rooms.
The mixed-age approach enables siblings to share a key person who will cater to the whole family’s needs so that parents work with one practitioner and only have to tell one person about family or confidential issues.