Oliver has really loved his Leaps and Bounds Sessions. He calls Tuesday's "Leaps and Bounds day" and always reminds us how many sessions he has left! Last week Oliver talked all the way home in the car (40 minutes journey) about what he had some in Leaps and Bounds, talking about the slide and colours and big and small spaces. When we got home he showed us how to push a beanbag and how to balance in a line. They next day, when his Nana was looking after him, he was still talking about it and Nana and Bampa were also shown how to balance and push beanbags! Oliver sets up his own Leaps and Bounds sessions at home using his foam letters as stepping stones practicing his balancing. He has absolutely loved the sessions ..... Oliver's Mum, First Steps Nursery
Leaps & Bounds at Scallywags
Scallywags have been holding Leaps and Bounds with our Preschool children for over eight years now and we are huge fans! The children’s progress is evident and they have all come along in ‘leaps and bounds!’ Their confidence has increased along with their physical and emotional development.
Over the eight years we have seen vast improvements in our children’s development as they spend up to two years doing Leaps and Bounds once each week. Sylvia, our special Leaps and Bounds instructor is a real credit to the sessions, she really gets the most out of all the children involved and even the staff have fun joining in! Sylvia is committed and so enthusiastic making every session so different and exciting!
Here’s what they children have to say;
Lily, 4: “I like sliding”
Andrew, 4: “I like climbing and sliding”
Daniel, 3: “We do lots of different things”
Bethany, 4: “Its lots of fun!”
They can’t wait to line up at the end of each session as they succeed in their goal and receive their sticker! We find these everywhere in the Preschool room!
We hope to support Leaps and Bounds for years to come!
 Amy Heading
Group Nursery Manager
Both my son and daughter attended Castle View Private Day Nursery in Chester le Street from the ages of 1- 4yrs. My daughter took part in Leaps and Bounds each week and I could see a profound difference between my two two children's ability to catch balls and general co-ordination. My daughter was much more dextrous and also very keen to take part in sports and generally seemed more confident as she was often picked to demonstrate skills in front of the group. I firmly believe that my daughter benefitted tremendously from attending the sessions and would heartily recommend this course to other parents and carers. Susan, the Instructor running the session was very enthusiastic and was always keen to praise her when she had done well - even taking the time to speak to me when I picked my daughter up from nursery - way beyond my expectations. My daughter loved attending Leaps and Bounds and she always enjoyed the sessions. - Lucy 

 

 

 Scallywags Day Nurseries Cambridge

The children at Scallywags have enjoyed Leaps and Bounds every Friday since 2004. The children look forward to a Friday as they know that Sylvia will arrive with her car full of equipment. The children are in two groups the 2-3 year olds and the 3-4 years olds. Some of the children have enjoyed Leaps and Bounds for a very long time.

I feel that Leaps and Bounds is a fantastic way for the children to develop their gross motor skills making it fun and enjoyable for all involved.

It amazes me how much the children benefit from having these sessions. It wasn't until recently I realised how much. We had a number of new children join in and the difference between the children who are at nursery every Friday to the children who aren't was amazing. The marked difference in the way the children climbed the way Sylvia had showed them just showed me how much these sessions were beneficial.

Sometimes for the children the half an hour session they have is simply not long enough!! When it comes to sticker time there are a few groans that they want to carry on.

Scallyways Day Nurseries staff would liek to thanks Sylvia for all the fun activities she provides for the children. Fridays wouldn't be the same without her!! - Sarah Scallyways Cambridge 

 

 

 Ofsted Report where Leaps and Bounds Classes were taking place in a Wolverhampton Nursery - November 2010:

“Develop links with professionals” “Extensive, purposeful and close partnerships with parents and other professionals and agencies in the community with a key strength and are significant in successfully promoting children’s welfare and learning.” “Outside professionals come into the setting to offer their expertise, taking part in activities with children and staff.” “They show pride at balancing on a beam and walking sideways across it ‘like a crab’.”

 

 

Hi Susan,

It was lovely to meet you at the Busy Bears Nursery,Durham last week.Just a small note to say a big thankyou for running these sessions in the nursery and we believe our daughter's physical development has truly come up in leaps and bounds  even after just 8 weeks, thanks to your structured programme. She used to take great pride in demonstrating her skills learnt from each session when she returned home on wednesdays. She is now ever so ready to take new challenges with jumping,landing,balancing etc that sure catches eyes when we take her to different places/play areas etc.

The course sure has made her more confident in many a skills at a very early age. As medics involved in care of children we have already recommended this programme to folks we have met and will continue to do so as we believe it encourages children as young as 2 to get involved in physical activities which certainly will have a huge impact in their lifestyle when they grow up.

 

Thankyou again and we look forward to seeing our daughter's future sessions after the summer break..

A big thumbs up -Well done and keep up the good work...

 

Subhan and Dagny Christudas, parents of child 2/3 group,Busy Bears Nursery,Durham Wednesday pm.

 

 

 

"We chose Leaps and Bounds to provide a physical development programme to enhance our current nursery curriculum and to give the children extra time focusing on physical activity. The structure of the leaps and bounds programme helps the children develop at their own pace and to reach their own potential through the challenges they are faced with. Our children are always excited to take part and eagerly look for our instructor Alison out of the window on the day of our sessions. All the children feel a massive sense of achievement at the end of each session when everyone gets a sticker and a round of applause. The parents have commented how their chilren go home and tell them all about what they have been doing in the sessions and are very happy that their children are enjoying it so much. We look forward to continuing to use Leaps and Bounds in our nursery. Tracey Hallway Nursery Manager Westoe Village Kindergarten, South Tyneside

 

 

"We have just come to the end of our first block of Leaps and Bounds.  I have to say that the progress our children  have made has been fabulous. From the first session the children have and lots of fun and enjoyment.  They have gained many skills  through Leaps and Bounds, Susan knows each child by name and how each one has developed their own skills since starting the programme.  Even the children who have not participated in this first block know Susan and know it is Leaps and Bounds day.  The children love participating and love to collect their achievement stickers at the end of the sessions. Children have been seen to blossom since the start of classes, their confidence, independence and physical skills have progressed at an amazing pace.  It is wonderful to see children developing and moving forward in many areas of their development, but the main thing is that they are having fantastic fun.  Parents have remarked on their own children's progress and have been amazed at how confident they have become since starting Leaps and Bounds.  I look forward to more Leaps and Bounds in the Autumn term."

Vikki Greggs Nursery Manager Castle View Nursery Chester Le Street

 

"The Leaps & Bounds leader is always punctual and prepares for the sessions well for the ages and abilities of the children. She is always cheerful and enthusiastic and that made the children eager too as they anticipate for the for the sessions start. The equipment that Leaps & Bounds provide for each session varies from week to week so there is always something different to look forward to. The children expirience new physical challenges through these sessions and enjoy the songs, rhymes and ring games too.
Kamariah Kazmi Manager Regent Nursery

 The Leaps & Bounds leader is a pleasure to have; she is always smiling and has a fantastic sense of humour which the children and I adore.
Laxmi Patel Administrator/Manager Ghanshyam Nursery School

 

 

 

"Our children have a fabulous time at the Leaps and Bounds classes.  They are on the 2nd set of classes now and they absolutely love it.  They have all developed their physical skills really well and we are delighted with the impact that our classes has on them.  Parents are keen for the children to continue with the programme as they can see how much their children get out of them.  We would highly recommend Leaps and Bounds classes".
Andrea Townsley Proprietor Clever Clogs Nursery Belmont Durham

"My daughter Millie absolutely loves Leaps & Bounds, we as parents have noticed how much more confident she has become and how well her balancing, catching and general motor skills have improved in such a short space of time. Millie can't wait for the class each week and we would recommend it to all parents. It's certainly Millie's favourite activity and I hope that many more schools and educational practices offer Leaps and Bounds as it's such a popular and important way to learn in a fun filled way.

 

Lisa & Bryan Oliver Parents of Millie 3/4 group at Busy Bears Nursery Bearpark Durham

Thanks for the success of Leaps & Bounds at Busy Bears.  The children love the activity and it brings good variety to their daily routine.  Their progress from start to end of the programme is excellent and the children do look forward to the weekly event.   Staff are pleased to see how the children progress and improve weekly, and parents in turn are delighted that their children are both enjoying and learning at the same time.    At Busy Bears we have great facilities with enough space indoors (and outdoors if the weather is very sunny).  This in turn maximizes everyone’s enjoyment.  

A great activity!  

Emma Graham  BA Hons Msc EYPS
Proprietor  Busy Bears 

 

 

 

We are absolutely delighted with the Leaps & Bounds programme.  The staff have noticed such a difference in the children - in their confidence, their self-esteem and their flexibility.  The children have thoroughly enjoyed the session and the leader has been really wonderful with the children and must have the patience of a saint!

Karen Hudson - Head of Centre Coquet Early Excellence Centre

 

 

Older children enjoy weekly Leaps & Bounds (Tumble Tots) sessions, which provide further variety to their physical play.  Children are very enthusiastic when particiapting in these sessions and are gaining good control of their bodies.  All children move freely and confidently within designated areas of the nursery. They delight in the excellent range of activities, which they tackle enthusiastically.

OFSTED Inspector - Cilla Burdis