The Curriculum
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Within our Playgroup we follow the Government led Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum to provide all of our children with the very best start in life.
The period from age three to the end of the reception year is now known as 'The Foundation Stage'. Most children are expected to achieve the early learning goals by the end of this stage. The Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into areas of learning and development. They consist of three prime areas and four specific areas. The prime areas cover the knowledge and skills, which are the foundations for children’s school readiness and future progress, and which are applied and reinforced by the specific areas. Where they have close links with National Curriculum subject areas – particularly literacy and maths – they form an appropriate baseline for the National Curriculum. These provide a framework for planning an early year's curriculum through activities and experiences. This enables us to make sure that your child achieves the most they can while in our care. It is based on four important themes and principles, which help to meet the individual needs of all children. |
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These themes are outlined below with the principles that underlie them:
Theme: A Unique Child Principle: Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. Theme: Positive Relationships Principle: Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships. Theme: Enabling Environments Principle: Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and carers. Theme: Learning and Development Principle: Children develop and learn in different ways. The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities. |
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The EYFS is made up of “Developmental Matters”. These are three characteristics of effective learning, three prime and four specific areas learning and development. They are connected to one another and are under pinned by the principle of the EYFS.
The three characteristics of effective learning are:
1.Playing and exploring - engagement:
Finding out and exploring
Playing with what they know
Being willing to ‘have a go
2. Active Learning – motivation:
Being involved and concentrating.
Keeping trying
Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
3. Creating and thinking critically – thinking:
Having their own ideas
Making links
Choosing ways to do things
The three characteristics of effective learning are:
1.Playing and exploring - engagement:
Finding out and exploring
Playing with what they know
Being willing to ‘have a go
2. Active Learning – motivation:
Being involved and concentrating.
Keeping trying
Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
3. Creating and thinking critically – thinking:
Having their own ideas
Making links
Choosing ways to do things
The three prime areas learning and development:
1.Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
Successful personal, social and emotional development is critical for very young children in all aspects of their lives. It is also a pre-requisite for their success in all areas of learning. Experiences are provided which enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves
2.Physical Development (PD)
Children develop confidence and control in the way that they move, use tools and equipment. Our outdoor area is perfect for this area of development, whether it be for children just to run around or to use the equipment that we provide, for example, balls, cars and bikes or climbing equipment. Health and self-care is included in this area too.
3.Communication and Language (CL)
Language and communication depends on learning and being competent in a number of key skill areas. This area of learning includes listening and attention, understanding and speaking.
The four specific areas are:
1. Literacy (L)
Literacy developmental involves reading and writing. From enjoying songs and rhymes and then showing awareness of alliteration to recognising familiar words and signs. This area includes linking sounds to letters and writing our name.
2. Mathematics (M)
Mathematic development are concerned with becoming confident and a competent learner and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, matching, seeking patterns and working with numbers, shapes spaces and measures. Mathematical understanding is developed through games, songs and practical activities.
3. Understanding of the World (UW)
In this area of learning, children develop knowledge and understanding that helps them make sense of the world. This could include, for example, taking the children on outings, to the shops and making real life a vital part of Pre-School education.
4. Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. The aspects covered in this area of learning include art, music, dance and imaginative play. Being creative enables the children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. Within our setting we provide ample opportunity for the children to explore their creativity – we have messy play (one of the children's favourite!), sticking, painting, playdough and many other activities.
For more information please visit: www.foundationyears.org.uk
1.Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
Successful personal, social and emotional development is critical for very young children in all aspects of their lives. It is also a pre-requisite for their success in all areas of learning. Experiences are provided which enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves
2.Physical Development (PD)
Children develop confidence and control in the way that they move, use tools and equipment. Our outdoor area is perfect for this area of development, whether it be for children just to run around or to use the equipment that we provide, for example, balls, cars and bikes or climbing equipment. Health and self-care is included in this area too.
3.Communication and Language (CL)
Language and communication depends on learning and being competent in a number of key skill areas. This area of learning includes listening and attention, understanding and speaking.
The four specific areas are:
1. Literacy (L)
Literacy developmental involves reading and writing. From enjoying songs and rhymes and then showing awareness of alliteration to recognising familiar words and signs. This area includes linking sounds to letters and writing our name.
2. Mathematics (M)
Mathematic development are concerned with becoming confident and a competent learner and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, matching, seeking patterns and working with numbers, shapes spaces and measures. Mathematical understanding is developed through games, songs and practical activities.
3. Understanding of the World (UW)
In this area of learning, children develop knowledge and understanding that helps them make sense of the world. This could include, for example, taking the children on outings, to the shops and making real life a vital part of Pre-School education.
4. Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. The aspects covered in this area of learning include art, music, dance and imaginative play. Being creative enables the children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. Within our setting we provide ample opportunity for the children to explore their creativity – we have messy play (one of the children's favourite!), sticking, painting, playdough and many other activities.
For more information please visit: www.foundationyears.org.uk
