Our Curriculum

We offer children a wide range of activities’ and experiences, both in our indoor classroom’s and our wonderful large garden, open all year round. These will nurture children’s all-round development and lay a solid foundation for later learning in primary school. This time in a child’s schooling is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage which continues until the end of the Reception class in their next school. Please see our curriculum policy and individual curriculum policies on our website for more information. (A paper copy can be found in the entrance hall or please ask the office for your own copy).

Our Curriculum Progression Map sets out a sequential programme of planned learning objectives across the nursery year, covering the prime and specific areas of the EYFS statutory framework. These statements cover the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes we want children to learn. They are linked to a half- termly topic tied to key books, including fiction and non-fiction. 

Half Termly Overviews set out key questions, topic books, vocabulary, key concepts, core songs & rhymes, circle time, focused activities, phonological awareness, progression reading skills, maths and rhymes staff teach over each half term.

In brief, our curriculum includes:

Personal, social and emotional development – self-confidence, self-regulation, self-care, independence, forming relationships, collaborating, respect for others and the environment, positive attitudes towards learning, concentration.

Communication & Language – speaking and listening, quality conversation, back & forth interactions, reading, rhymes, poems, providing opportunities’ to teach specific language and rich vocabulary, encouraging children to use new words they have learnt. 

Literacy –speaking and listening, re-telling and inventing stories, a love of books, stories and poems, awareness of print, writing, the names and sounds of letters.

Mathematical development – counting, calculating, recognising numerals, shape, space and measurement, pattern, problem solving.

Understanding of the world – observing, questioning and experimenting, testing and interpreting through work on processes, forces and the living world, constructing, designing, planning, using tools and materials, ICT, a sense of history and a sense of place, learning about religions.

Physical development – control of large muscle movements through running, climbing, balancing, kicking, throwing; developing fine manipulative control through using tools, scissors, brushes; learning to take care of yourself and about what you need to do and eat to stay healthy and safe, facing challenges.

Expressive arts & design– drawing, painting, making models, using clay/dough, appreciating the work of others, sewing, music, dance, imaginative and fantasy play.

Our progressive curriculum is carefully planned so children make small steps of progress in each of the seven curriculum areas over the course of the year.

Progressive learning objectives are linked to the half term topic and activities planned around the topic. Your child will be invited to a range of teacher led activities where learning objectives are carefully taught by staff through playful learning activities. Please have a look at this terms Half Term Plan and see what your child will be learning.