Our Curriculum

Carefully structured and planned play helps children understand the world and to develop socially and emotionally. We believe that having fun with friends and their teacher really does give them a head start in life. 

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum encompasses seven areas of learning to ensure children will develop emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development 

Children will develop self-confidence and independence alongside social skills such as the ability to take turns and to share. Qualities of honesty, kindness, thoughtfulness and fair play are strongly promoted.

Communication and Language 

Many of our children have English as a Second Language, so we make communication and language development a curriculum priority. In the Kindergarten classes, we develop children’s speaking and listening as well as early reading and writing skills. Role play, stories, rhymes and poems are all used to encourage a growing English vocabulary.

Physical Development 

Every day the children take part in varied activities, both indoors and outdoors, which help children to develop physical control. As well as twice weekly lessons with our specialist PD teacher, the children also have daily access to the Jungle Gym, trikes and bikes and hoops and balls.

Literacy 

We use a wide range of books to foster an interest in reading and children are encouraged to experiment with mark making to develop the first stages of writing. When they are ready the children will be introduced to a programme of letter sounds and shapes called Jolly Phonics. Their introduction to phonics is through the scheme Letters and Sounds from the Primary National Strategy of England and Wales.

Mathematics 

The teachers devise daily fun play activities in the classroom to help children learn about number, shape and pattern. They also constantly use real life every day experiences to reinforce mathematical ability.

Understanding the World 

Children are encouraged to find out about other people and the world around them. Work in this area of learning provides the foundation for later study of subjects such as science, history, technology and geography. For example, the children will plant seeds and watch them grow, do some cooking, use Information Technology to play computer games or pretend to be a spaceman flying to the moon in our role play area. Curiosity will be stimulated outside school with visits to local places of interest.

Expressive Arts and Design 

Children learn how to express themselves creatively through regular art, music, dance and drama activities. They use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways and think about what they want to use things for. They are encouraged to represent their own thoughts and feelings through role play and stories, as well as through physical art activities.