Early Years Foundation Stage
Within the group all children are supported in developing their potential. Our key person system enables us to ensure a planned curriculum tailored to the needs of each individual child. By developing appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum which leads to nationally approved learning outcomes and which prepares children, at five years of age, to progress with confidence to the National Curriculum.
Communication Language and Literacy – 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 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 well stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, able to handle them and aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.
Personal and Social Development – Within a nurturing environment children are supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. al children are given the opportunity, as appropriate, to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, and their environment.
Problem Solving – by means of adult supported practical activities children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting. This forms the basis for early mathematics. 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, 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.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World – A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. Children are enabled to extend their technological understanding using simple tools and techniques to achieve their intentions and to solve problem.
Physical Development– A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and outside, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own physical skills. A high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in movement, climbing and balancing. At the same time children are supported in the development of fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
Creative Development– Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in many dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils, as well as natural and recycled resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a group.