Early Years Curriculum

Speaking and listening

A key feature throughout our provision is developing children’s language and vocabulary. We do this through the stories we read, our interactions with children, and our language and communication rich environment. We provide lots of opportunities to develop children’s familiarity with stories, songs and rhymes throughout, from Nursery to Reception.

Reading and writing

Reading and writing is central to our curriculum. Understanding and enjoyment of books is supported through daily story time and sharing books in all of Early Years. We use ‘core books’ in Nursery and Reception, both fiction and non-fiction to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the world. We immerse the children in high quality books, involves lots of talk and role play, and has been highly successful in raising engagement and attainment in reading and writing. We develop children’s writing through spoken language, their experiences and comprehension of stories.

Phonics

Phonics teaching is based on ‘letters and sounds’ in nursery, and moves on to ‘Read Write Inc’ in Reception. This is taught systematically with daily sessions, in groups, so that teaching can be targeted at children’s levels.

Maths

Maths is taught through concrete, meaningful experiences aimed at developing children’s conceptual understanding. We follow the ‘White Rose Maths Hub’ scheme in Reception.
 

Creative and Physical development

We provide opportunities for children to develop their creative skills, this entails learning
about artists, a nd using tools, equipment and skills to create artefacts and pictures.
The children are always encouraged to develop their gross and fine motor skills through a
broad range of activities and challenges such as digging, climbing and riding a bike.

Early Years principles

Running all the way through our early years is the principle of learning through play, the best and most meaningful way for young children to learn. We offer lots of open ended exploratory experiences, and the structure of our day includes periods of uninterrupted play, so that children can get deeply involved in their learning. We provide rich, enabling learning environments, inside and outdoors, which promote exploration and discovery. The classrooms and outdoor areas in both Nursery and Reception are organised so that opportunities in all areas of learning are offered. Children can access resources by themselves, make choices, follow their own interests and extend their own learning independently. This all leads to greater involvement and deeper learning.

Outdoor learning

We place a strong emphasis on the importance of outdoor learning throughout our provision. This has many benefits, including contributing to health and wellbeing, and in developing the ‘whole child’. Children are often more confident outside, and outdoor play offers great opportunities for experiencing the natural world, and active learning and exploration, as well as elements of risk and challenge. We have exceptional outdoor learning environments and a system of ‘free-flow’ whereby children can choose to play and learn inside or outside for a large part of the session.

Interactions and the characteristics of effective learning

Much of our teaching is through interactions. Adults observe the children closely, and join in (‘intervene’) sensitively with their play, to extend their language and thinking, and develop their knowledge and skills. We support the ‘Characteristics of effective learning’ (‘playing and exploring’, ‘active learning’ and ‘creating and thinking critically’) developing confident, resilient, independent learners throughout the early years. We encourage good attitudes to learning, like curiosity, concentration and willingness to ‘have a go’, in everything we do.

Parent and School partnership

We actively encourage parents to support the school with your child’s learning. We offer a
soft start where parents c an play with their children to help settle them in at the beginning
of the school day.
Parents are welcomed to curriculum meetings designed to support you with your child’s
learning. We have three termly parent consultations to discuss your child ’s
Our online learning journey Tapestry keep s parents updated with their child’s progress.
Parents can also respond and upload their children’s learning from home.
Your child will be given a key worker who wi ll work closely with you and your child alongside
all the Early Years team.