Curriculum
Within the group, all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. By means of developmentally appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input. Play underpins all development and learning for young children. Most children play spontaneously, although some may need more adult support, and it is through play that they develop intellectually, creatively, physically, socially and emotionally. The group provides continuous free flow to the outdoor environment for all the children.
Communication and Language Development
These two areas of learning support children by encouraging them to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Allowing children time to initiate conversations, respect their thinking time and silences and help them develop the interaction. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing and have access to a variety of mark making areas for themselves.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also 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
Mathematics
By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities, which form 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, imaginative play, games and stories help children become aware of number sequences and, when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding.
Understanding the World
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a wide range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their finding. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both indoors and outside. A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.
Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their own body skills. A very high level of adult supervision enables children safely to create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skills and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens, pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision. Mealtimes are an opportunity to promote children's social development, while enjoying food and highlighting the importance of making healthy choices.
Expressing Arts and Design
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions. Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and discarded resources, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage. Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a group indoors and outdoors.
Literacy Development
It is crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading. Through talking to the children about the world around them, reading books, enjoying rhymes, poems and songs together we develop skilled word reading and pronunciation of words. We also encourage writing through mark making which develops into forming letters and writing words.
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