Curriculum
The curriculum is defined as the knowledge and skills that a child needs to acquire, to achieve the early learning goals by the end of reception in school.
Our curriculum intent is to provide a stimulating and safe environment that fosters the development of children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills.
Within the group, all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. Through working with and observing children- staff are able to incorporate individual needs and interests into our curriculum planning.
We have an emphasis on “Learning through play”
Our curriculum is carefully planned to ensure each child progresses during their time with us.
We also are legally bound to take into consideration the Early Years Foundation Stage standards (EYFS) when we are planning children’s learning and development. The EYFS are a set of standards we have to work to. See separate page on the EYFS.
We have a very clear vision of what we would like children to learn. This gives us the foundations of how we go about achieving these learning intentions by planning lots of exciting activities, experiences using various resources- (both equipment and adult resources) ,from which the children can learn and develop. Its a process- taking into account each child’s age, stage and abilities and differentiating these activities and experiences accordingly.
So we have a lot to think about when we plan and implement activities and experiences!
Along side our continuous provision ( the activities we have out everyday) we introduce themes and topics throughout the year . These maybe seasonal topics- winter, spring, summer and autumn and the wealth of learning each season brings, as well celebrating festivals.
To give you an idea of some of the topics we cover throughout the year, but not limited to ……
Autumn topics include learning about and exploring the changes in the environment as summer changes to autumn, looking at autumnal creatures ( hedgehogs, owls etc) which can include a visit from a hedgehog rescue centre, harvest- fruit and vegetables, bonfire night and rockets and space.
Winter topics include looking at different types of weather, a visit to the Antarctica to visit the penguins and a trip up north to the Artic to meet the Polar Bears! Winter clothing, bird feeders and Christmas.
Spring topics include again changes in the environment including spring flowers and animals including walks around the village and a trip to a local farm, we look at our different feelings and emotions, celebrate Valentines Day, books and stories incorporating World book Day, our families and homes, planting and growing, health and self care- including a cosy Pyjama Day and Easter.
Summer topics include lots of life cycles- those of the butterfly, frog and chick. We observe tiny caterpillars go through their stages until we release them as butterflies, we observe frog spawn ahead of the change to frogs and new for 2025- we will have some eggs to observe as they crack open to reveal some chicks- how exciting! Also our annual trip to Nell Bank an outdoor educational centre packed with fun adventures and of course Addingham Gala and being part of the parade.
We invite into setting People Who Help Us-to talk to us all about their roles in helping us in many ways- police with a police car, firefighters with their engine, doctors, nurses and dentists with their bags of equipment and a road crossing person to talk to us about road safety. Holidays, sports days and lots more including lots of transition activities and visits for those children leaving us for school or for new ones joining us in September!
We have also lots of other topics which we fit in where we can! We celebrate other religious festivals-including Diwali, Lunar New Year. We raise money for Comic Relief, Children in Need and Help the Children through dressing up days!
Of course- throughout the year we will follow children’s interests at the time and develop on these, decide to plan something different. So whilst we do plan- we are flexible to change!
We love the journey from welcoming and settling new children into our setting to seeing them leave for school and during this time watching them learn and develop the skills needed for their next stage in life.