Our Curriculum

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high-quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.” Early Years Foundation Statutory Framework, 2021

Intent - We aim to design and provide a broad, balanced and enriched curriculum. It is carefully planned to ensure a broad coverage and progress of all subjects within the EYFS. We strive to provide a sense of awe and wonder that instils a thirst for learning therefore embedded throughout the curriculum are enrichment opportunities to make learning memorable through hands on learning experiences, hooks for learning and a variety of visits and visitors.
 

Implementation - Our EYFS curriculum follows the statutory guidance EYFS Framework 2021 and includes the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. The characteristics highlight the importance of a child’s attitude to learning and their ability to play, explore and think critically about the world around them.

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The three characteristics are:

• Playing and Exploring - children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’

• Active Learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements

• Creating and Thinking Critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

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Seven Areas of Learning

The EYFS framework includes seven areas of learning and development, all of which are seen as important and interconnected but three areas are seen as particularly important for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, for building their capacity to learn and form relationships and thrive. They support children’s learning in all other areas and are known as the prime areas.

The prime areas are:

• Communication and Language – Listening, Attention and Understanding and Speaking

• Physical Development – Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – Self-regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships

The specific areas of learning develop essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society.

The specific areas are:

• Literacy – Comprehension, Word Reading and Writing

• Mathematics – Numbers and Numerical Patterns

• Understanding the World – Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities and The Natural World

• Expressive Arts and Design – Creating with Materials and Being Imaginative and Expressive
  
   

Our Curriculum

We believe many children need to be given a starting point to learn new things and find topics are a great way to fire imagination. We have a two-year rolling programme of topics. The topics are flexible to ensure we also follow the children’s interests as well as local or national events. Every half term, our practitioners plan the next topic, and book visits and visitors that will enhance the learning of our children. Our practitioners plan in more detail on a weekly basis using daily notes, observations and interactions with children to inform where the learning journey should move to.

 

Enabling Environments

Our learning environments are engaging and exciting but most importantly relevant to the needs of our children. Our indoor and outdoor environments are designed to allow children to access resources and learning opportunities independently. All environments are adapted on a regular basis to support and challenge all children.

 

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Working with Parents

We believe that parents and carers are a child’s first educator and therefore work very closely to ensure they are involved in all areas of learning. We use EYLog which is a Digital Learning Journey where you can observe, track and view information on your child’s progress easily and securely. EYLog provides us with the opportunity to share valuable learning steps and progress with you, enabling you to support your child’s progress further at home. Parents can upload photographs of the experiences they are sharing with their child at home. We want parents to feel they can speak to us about their child at any time and feel comfortable in our setting. Our door is always open!

Below are some useful websites that you can access to support your child’s learning at home.
Learning to talk | 3 to 5 years | Start for Life (www.nhs.uk)

Children's language development and parenting advice - BBC Tiny Happy People

50 Things To Do

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Enrichments

Throughout nursery our children will have the opportunity to be involved in a range of activities to enhance their life experiences. Children have the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities, designed to encourage co-operative working and good social skills. We are pleased to be able to provide a range of opportunities through small group work, creative art and music as well as sport. Children have many opportunities to work with visitors in nursery and go on visits into the community.

 

 

 

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