Early Years Foundation Stage

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework for all the children which meets the individual needs of all the children in our care.
The framework is grouped into four PRINCIPLES: 

• A Unique Child
  Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured
  
  
• Positive Relationships
  Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person.
  
  
• Enabling Environments
  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/carers.
  
  
• Learning and Development
  Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected.
  
  

Learning and development is divided into 7 different areas, PRIME AND SPECIFIC and through play these areas are covered: 

The prime areas are:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development
• Communication and language
  
  

The specific areas are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

If you would like any further information on the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, you can order the publication from:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

One of the main aims of being in a nursery is the opportunity for all young ones to experience life outside the confines of their homes. It is at the nursery that children learn there are others like them with the same personal and emotional needs. Turn taking and sharing are perhaps the first experiences which most young children encounter. They also form the basis of relationships with other adults and children who may come from different backgrounds and cultures.

Various topics based on the young children's experiences are often explored and presented. Multi-cultural celebrations and customs are introduced in the hope that children will grow to understand and respect people from different lands and diverse needs. We celebrate all major festivals of different faiths during the year with stories, art and craft activities, cooking, decorations and occasionally outings.

We also celebrate the children's birthdays. Little Learners will provide a birthday cake.

More importantly, we aim to help the child learn how to be independent and exercise the confidence needed in later life.

Communication and Language

We provide activities related to language acquisition through circle time where children learn to listen and discuss various topics of interest e.g. the weather, the days of the week and their own personal experiences. In addition songs and rhymes where children acquire vocabulary and rhythm through familiar and new nursery songs and rhymes.

Physical Development

We have a garden where our children can exercise their large motor skills like climbing, running and balancing. There are also tricycles where they develop co-ordination and spatial awareness. We also provide activities to develop hand and eye co-ordination.

Literacy

We provide activities related to literacy through the book corner where children can select a variety of books, sharing stories at circle time throughout the day, five books of the week that staff consistently read on a daily basis and writing areas with a variety of mark making equipment including shaving foam and cornflour.

Mathematics

We ensure learning mathematical concepts by providing materials for sorting, matching and measuring e.g. puzzles and coloured cubes, activities where children explore shape, size, weight and length e.g. cooking.

Understanding the World

We aim to introduce and extend the children's knowledge and understanding of science and the world around them by exploring natural materials and their properties e.g. sand, water and clay. We encourage outdoor pursuits through visits to the library and local shops and invite members from the local community such as a fire-fighter,  police officer and dentist for talks and presentations to encourage personal and social awareness. We also introduce computer technology which opens up various avenues of learning. 

Expressive Arts and Design

We encourage expressive arts and design through story telling, drama, role play, music and movement, drawing and painting with various medium, design and technology where children learn to use various tools like the scissors, glue spreaders and cello tape to create two- and three-dimensional models. Clay/playdough is also used to help children learn how to sculpt and develop a sensorial approach to learning.