Our Curriculum

​​Children aged 2 to 3 years begin their learning journey with us learning through play.  At the begin of their learning journey, we focus on the three prime areas of the EYFS.

 

Communication and language, personal, social and emotional development and physical development.  All of these are statutory within the EYFS statutory framework and supported by our curriculum. Upon joining, each child is assigned both a primary and secondary key person who are responsible for monitoring, assessing, and supporting the child's developmental progress.

 

Our team of experienced practitioners collaborate closely, fostering a supportive environment and work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child.

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Once our children are secure and developing well in the three prime areas,  they are introduced to the four specific areas of the curriculum:  literacy, maths, knowledge and understanding of the world and expressive arts and design , this is typically between the ages of 3 and 4. We understand that all children are unique and they may progress/develop at different stages. we have a robust tracking and observation system in place to order to meet the needs of every child and identify their next steps.

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By the age of 4 and 5, our aim is to prepare children for a successful school transition. We focus on nurturing confidence, resilience, engagement, and independence in learning.

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Education and development across all seven areas of learning is delivered through fun filled engaging activities within the classroom.  We observe the children whilst they are involved in their play and plan activities around the children’s interest.   They have many opportunities to play in our outdoor space and explore the local community. Adult-led activities are informed by the children's interests and ideas. we are an inclusive nursery, and all children are welcome, family festivals and cultural traditions are an integral part of our curriculum.

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Communication and language

Development of communication and language underpins all of seven areas of learning (prime and specific).  We foster a language-rich environment through books, songs, and stories, with visual prompts, signs, gestures, and body language reinforcing understanding and inclusion.

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Children develop communication, speaking, and listening skills, as their vocabulary grows through different day to day experiences. They are encouraged to listen and respond to others, as well as share their own thoughts and ideas.  They also demonstrate an understanding by following a structured routine and following instructions.  Our children become confident in holding a two-way conversation with their teachers or peers. Creating confident communicators is a fundamental stage to development and underpin a foundation to increase learning in all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

 

Personal Social & Emotional Development

In our environment, we encourage independence from the very start of each child’s journey with us. Through supportive interaction, guidance, and adult modelling, children learn to make positive, healthy choices with food and manage their own hygiene, show an understanding of their own needs and those of others as they start to demonstrate a secure understanding. They develop essential social interaction skills that enable them to build constructive relationships with both peers and staff, fostering a positive self-image and respect for others. Children are supported by expressing their thoughts and feelings, as well as in developing effective strategies to adapt to new and challenging situations. We help them manage their emotions and understand the feelings of others. Through play and guided activities, our children acquire fundamental skills such as sharing, turn-taking, cooperating with others, and practicing patience to transition and become independent learners as well as become confident in self-care.

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Physical development

 

Gross/Fine Motor Skills

In our environment, our children are given daily opportunities to use various tools and equipment to enhance both their fine and gross motor skills through indoor and outdoor play. With various activities and engaging experiences, they build the coordination, abilities and hand eye coordination necessary for early literacy development. Movement breaks, exercises and yoga are incorporated into our sessions, these encourage movement, concentration and coordination.

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Throughout early childhood, sensory exploration helps children develop strength, coordination, and spatial awareness, which all contribute to the growth of their gross and fine motor skills.

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Literacy

We believe it is crucial for children to develop a love of reading from an early age, ideally before nursery.  Our pre-school fosters the love of books. Reading and storybooks are imbedded in our planning. Reading involves both language comprehension and word recognition. We offer a variety of books for children to explore both fact and fiction. Throughout the day, children have opportunities for one-on-one storytelling as well as group story sessions. Alongside stories, we introduce singing from the very beginning of their learning journey, gradually adding rhymes and poems as they grow. As children's passion for books grows, this naturally evolves into letter/word recognition through labelled items, self-registration and logos throughout our setting and in our local environment. Drawing and mark making serve as an initial step towards letter formation, which later supports the development of writing skills.

 

Mathematics

From an early age, children begin developing foundational skills in numeracy, starting with counting, matching, sorting and sequencing. It is vital that they acquire the core competencies required to confidently count to 10 and beyond, understand quantities, and recognise number patterns. These abilities serve as the essential building blocks for future mathematical learning, including mastery of number bonds.  We develop our children’s math skills by weekly STEM sessions i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

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Understanding the World

Children are supported in exploring their physical environment and local community through activities like trips to parks, libraries, museums, and using London transport. They learn about people who help them, such as police officers, healthcare workers, and firefighters. As a multi-cultural and diverse setting parents are asked to be involved and share their families’ customs and traditions.  The curriculum includes celebrating various festivals, encouraging children to learn about their own families, cultures, and religions as well as that of their peers. Topics like weather, time, and simple science concepts are also introduced to support understanding of growth and change.

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Expressive Arts & Design

We have daily opportunities for our children to engage in adult lead creative activities as well as having the opportunities to use various media, materials, textures, and sensory experiences to independently select and access. Providing opportunities for children to participate in arts and crafts is essential, as it fosters their imagination and creativity. The core principles of this learning area help children develop an appreciation for the things they see and observe.

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Creativity supports the development of mark making and language skills by incorporating singing and musical instrument use, enabling individuals to learn and express themselves creatively at their own pace.