Alfred the Mouse Goes to School is an innovative new project that the Taunton Early Years Clusters are running across the more than 300 Somerset pre-schools they cover, supporting under-fives with the sometimes daunting transition to primary school.
Each cluster pre-school can have their very own Alfred the Mouse soft toy, being distributed by Rachel Parish, Cluster Manager (schools and pre-schools should contact her at info@willowsetpreschool.org.uk to receive theirs).
Children will be able to interact through a series of creative activities addressing specific areas within the Early Years Foundation Stage. These will support children’s imagination and development as they explore Alfred’s journey to school and through the journey reflect on their own upcoming transition.
To accompany Alfred on his journey, Take Art has created a supporting Alfred the Mouse Goes to School website www.alfredthemouse.co.uk, with a dedicated mini-site for nearly all of the primary schools in the Taunton clusters. Queen’s College Pre-Prep could not take part in this 2016 edition.
Alfred can be seen taking part comfortably in the reception class and wider school environment. The slideshow follows Alfred around the school to favourite places chosen with the reception classes. Some of the schools also have a soundscape.
There is a surround-around (a full panoramic 3D view) of the reception class, through which practitioners, teachers, parents and children will be able to explore their child/children’s future classrooms. Where a school has two reception classes, we have included two panoramic views.
Supported by Somerset County Council through the Raising Achievement Plan, and by the Taunton Early Years Clusters.