Nursery and Reception Curriculum

We have a spacious three area setting incorporating 2 indoor spaces and 1 outdoor learning zone. At times the children will work in two separate Key Groups (Pre-Nursery and Nursery) for focused group time which will develop their concentration, focus, speaking, listening, phonics and learning linked to all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. At all other times the children will free flow across the 3 areas in Nursery, learning through play by accessing exciting and purposeful activities. Alongside this, teaching staff will set up guided learning opportunities which will be personalised to ensure every child succeeds but also has an appropriate level of challenge.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is split into 7 Areas of Learning: 

·       Communication and Language- Listening Attention and Understanding, Speaking

·       Personal, Social and Emotional Development-Self-Regulation, Managing Self, Building Relationships

·       Physical Development-Gross Motor and Fine Motor Skills

·       Literacy-Comprehension, Word Reading, Writing

·       Maths-Number, Numerical Patterns

·       Understanding the World-Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities, The Natural World

·       Expressive Arts and Design-Creating with Materials, Being Imaginative and Expressive

        and taught through the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

·       Playing and Exploring

·       Active Learning

·       Creating and Thinking Critically

All learning is taught through half-termly topics by a team of passionate and dedicated staff. The Nursery Manager is a Qualified Teacher who oversees the excellent provision but is also an integral part of the daily teaching and learning in Nursery. She is ably supported by well qualified and experienced Key Workers each with Level 3 or higher in Child Development. This enables us to offer a first-class education to the youngest children in our school.

Specialist Teaching

Music

The children develop a holistic method of learning music through song, movement and small percussion instruments. All principles are based on the Kodály Method. The inner ear is developed at this early stage through song and musical games, whilst the internalising of the beat is developed through movement and percussion work. 

Physical Education (PE)

Early Years  PE lessons help develop the children's fundamental movement skills to further their physical development. These include a number of activities which help improve and enhance their gross motor skills through a rolling curriculum of gymnastics based, ball skills and mini activity games. This is all carried out through fun sessions which includes stories, games, song, and dance. Nursery and Reception have 2 PE lessons per week.

Spanish

Spanish lessons in Nursery and Reception are engaging and fun, taught through songs, games, stories and roleplay.  Learning another language from a young age enables children to foster curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.