Curriculum
We provide an exciting curriculum designed to focus on building lifelong skills in children and giving them what they need to be confident in the future. Our approach is play based and the majority of the learning takes place through child-led activities. We add resources and enhancements to the environment to stimulate and promote curiosity, investigation, exploration and enjoyment. Our Nursery staff skilfully play alongside and with the children to develop their thinking and knowledge and then plan subsequent experiences that will deepen their understanding. We also plan for adult-led activities in small groups and one-to-one for individual children’s development and learning.
The EYFS Curriculum
In Nursery, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework as directed by the government.
The EYFS has four guiding principles:
- Every child is a Unique Child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
- Children learn to be strong and independent through Positive Relationships.
- Children learn and develop well in Enabling Environments with teaching and support from adults who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from strong partnerships between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
- Importance of Learning and Development. Children develop and learn at different rates.
The EYFS has three characteristics of effective teaching and learning:
- Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
- Active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, enjoying and achieving
- Creating and thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas and make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things
There are seven areas of learning and development that shape the educational programme in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.
Three prime areas that are important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving:
- Communication and Language
- Physical Development
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Four Specific areas through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding of the World
- Expressive Art and Design
