We Follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework where areas of learning and development are organised into six areas of learning:
Children are encouraged to build friendships with other children and adults allowing them to practice skills such as sharing, caring, helping, and working together. The children are given opportunities to work alone, and in small and large groups. Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to hove respect for the feelings of others. They learn to become independent and ready for the transition to school.
Children are encouraged to talk about their own experiences and ideas, and to listen to others. They listen to stories and join in with rhymes, music, poems and songs. We stock a wide range of fictional and non-fictional books which are readily available for children to look at. Materials for writing or making marks are used and children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning. We use Phase 1 of “Letter and Sounds” Teaching programme which is followed at School by Phase 2 – this offers continuity for the child.
Children have many adult-supported opportunities to become familiar with counting, sorting, matching, sequencing and ordering everyday objects which form the basis of early mathematics. They are encouraged to use the language of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size, volume and number. Mathematical understanding is developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play. The Children are encouraged by the staff to be involved in “Sustained Shared Thinking”.
Children are offered the chance to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials (sand, water, playdough, etc). Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and within their wider community with regular discussions, walks and visits. Early computer skills are encouraged on a one-to-one basis.
There are lots of opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, for the children to develop, practice and master skills of balance, movement, running, jumping, climbing and catching. They closely supervised at all times to ensure safety, while encouraged to develop confidence and enjoyment in physical activity. The children are supported by the staff to become critical thinkers.
Children are offered a wide range of activities for creative play including, art, music, dance, role play, and imaginative play. Children are encouraged to use art equiptment including paints, crayons, pencils, glue, collage and model making materials, as well as sand, water and dough.
