The Early Years Curriculum

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum

 

In Nursery and Reception we follow the EYFS Curriculum which is followed by all Early Years Settings in England.

 

The curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning and is rooted in the principle that children learn through play, problem solving, investigation and discovery. The Nursery environment is planned and organised to support children’s development in all areas of the curriculum. In Nursery children follow their own curiosity to explore their interests and our staff follow their lead to support their learning. Activities are planned to challenge the children but they are also free to engage themselves in their own child initiated learning. Children are taught to independently access resources and to take responsibility for looking after and tidying them away.

 

The 3 prime areas lay the foundations for children’s success in all areas of learning and of life:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

• Physical Development

• Communication and Language.

 

The 4 specific areas provide the experiences and opportunities for children to broaden their knowledge and skills:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding of the World

• Expressive Arts and Design.

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage also identifies characteristics of effective learning:

• Playing and exploring - engagement
  • Finding out and exploring
  • Playing with what they know
  • Being willing to 'have a go'
• Active learning - motivation
  • Being involved and concentrating
  • Keeping trying
  • Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
• Creating and thinking critically - thinking
  • Having their own ideas
  • Making Links
  • Choosing ways to do things.

 

Learning in Nursery

Each week our learning starts with a story, based on the children's current interests, and we enjoy rhymes and songs together too. The children explore their creativity through art and craft and role play with friends. As we move through the academic year Nursery staff introduce number and phonics teaching to help the children to be ready for school. As well as learning through experiences the children take part in small group teaching sessions and are supported individually as required.