Curriculum

Guided by the EYFS, Developed by Our Staff

Our Curriculum and the EYFS

Within each group, all of our children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. By means of developmentally appropriate play activities and Montessori equipment, we offer a curriculum that follows the nationally approved EYFS guidelines, (further information can be found in your starting pack) and prepares children to progress within a relaxed environment.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Nelson Mandela

Prime Areas

Communication & Language

Children’s learning and competence in communication, speaking and listening must be supported and extended. They must be provided with opportunity and encouragement to use their skills in a range of situations and for a range of purposes, and be supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so.

In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening, and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.

Children learn language skills from:

  • Interesting and challenging experiences which give them plenty to talk about in the nursery and afterwards at home.
  • Encouragement to talk about experiences that are important to them
  • Lots of time, adult attention and response when they talk.
  • Hearing language used by adults talking to children and other adults, in pair or small groups.

Personal, Social & Emotional

We aim to create a stimulating and caring environment in which children are encouraged to become independent and self disciplined. The staff aim to build children’s self esteem by developing confidence in their abilities and by raising their awareness of the needs of others in both the immediate and wider environments. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feeling of others, their different cultures and beliefs.

Physical Development

A range of equipment and opportunities allow the children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their bodily skills. Children create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skills and control in moving and balancing. At the same time children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision. When outside in our play area, the children are encouraged to explore and develop their gross motor skills. We also set up an indoors obstacle course to encourage their control and co-ordination. They are supported in developing an understanding of the importance of physical activity and make healthy choices in relation to food.

Specific Areas

Mathematics

By means of practical experience, children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis for early problem solving.

Problem solving encourages children’s thinking and reasoning skills are developed by building on their own experiences. It embraces natural curiosity and develops the confidence to tackle situations which arise in problem solving and in other areas of the curriculum.

As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems children are assisted to learn and use the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size and volume and number. Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.

Literacy

Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. A large emphasis is placed on pre-reading skills and as the children become familiar with the letters of the alphabet they are encouraged to word build using the phonic approach. A well stocked book box gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

Understanding of the World

​Children have a natural curiosity about their surroundings and science gives them the opportunity to gather the experiences they need to understand the world in which they live. We encourage them through discussion and observation to understand their environment, sometimes recording their findings but the emphasis is on practical work. Children are encouraged to handle materials and to learn from their own discoveries in a collaborative setting. With visits around the local environment children are able to experience many features and services of the town and discuss their purposes. Children are encouraged to find out about the uses of everyday technology and use information and communication technology to support their learning.

Expressive Arts & Designs

Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual two and three dimensional models. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources provides for exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in paint, drawing and collage. Through music, dance and drama the children are encouraged to use their imagination and express their ideas and communicate their feelings.