Rocket Room
Rocket Room
Rocket Room is a welcoming, slightly more structured learning environment for children who will be starting school the following year. Children continue to attend their usual HETTY group while also enjoying regular sessions in Rocket Room.
Our experienced Rocket Room team consists of:
- Ms Solange Wood BA (Hons) / EYTS – Teacher
- Sara Campbell – HETTY Key Person
- Nicole Francis – HETTY Key Person
Rocket Room usually welcomes between 16 and 22 children. Throughout the week, staff from each of our HETTY groups take turns working in Rocket Room. This means children regularly see familiar and trusted adults from the main preschool setting, helping them to feel safe, secure and confident.
This also supports strong communication across the whole HETTY team. Staff can share observations, celebrate children’s progress and ensure that activities continue to reflect each child’s interests, individual needs and next steps in learning.
Learning Through Play
All learning in Rocket Room remains play-based and follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Activities are carefully planned around the children’s interests, individual needs and next steps in learning.
Children have opportunities to explore all seven areas of learning:
- Communication and Language
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
Children are encouraged to investigate, make choices, solve problems, share their ideas and develop confidence through purposeful play and adult-supported activities.
Supporting School Readiness
Rocket Room helps children become familiar with some of the routines and experiences they may encounter when they begin Reception. These are introduced gradually and sensitively, without placing unnecessary pressure on children.
We support children to:
- Develop confidence and independence
- Make choices and look after their belongings
- Listen and take part in group activities
- Communicate their needs, thoughts and ideas
- Build friendships and work alongside others
- Take turns, share and solve small disagreements
- Follow familiar routines and simple instructions
- Manage personal care tasks with increasing independence
- Develop early literacy and mathematical skills
- Build resilience and feel positive about starting school
We recognise that school readiness is about the whole child. It is not about expecting children to read, write or complete formal work before they begin school. Our priority is helping every child feel secure, capable, curious and ready to enjoy the next stage of their learning.
Early Literacy and Mathematics
Rocket Room uses elements of Little Wandle and First4Maths, supporting continuity with Hoole CE Primary School.
Through Little Wandle Foundations activities, children develop important early literacy skills, including listening, attention, vocabulary, sound awareness and a love of stories, songs and rhymes.
First4Maths supports children’s early mathematical development through practical play, meaningful conversations, number songs, games and everyday experiences. Children explore numbers, patterns, shapes, measures and mathematical language in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.
Preparing for the Next Step
We work closely with families, key persons and local schools to help make each child’s transition into Reception as smooth and positive as possible. Information is shared appropriately, and additional transition support can be arranged for children who may need it.
Every child develops at their own pace. Our aim is for children to leave Rocket Room feeling happy, confident and excited about beginning their next adventure at school.