We follow the Early Years Foundation which is the Statutory Framework for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that sets standards for an integrated approach to the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. There are seven areas of learning and development, three prime areas and four specific areas:

Three Prime Areas:

• Communication and Language Development
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Four Specific Areas:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding of the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

In each area, there are Early Learning Goals (ELGs) which state what it is expected that children will know and be able to do by the end of the Reception/Kindergarten of their education.

Prime Areas of Learning & Their Associated ELGs

COMMUNICATION & LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Circle time provides the children with the opportunity to interact with each other as a group which will develop social-emotional skills and build friendships. By sharing emotions and responses during circle time, we can develop sensitivity towards others and begin to learn about the value of and need for trust, honesty, support and reliability.

This also involves giving children opportunities to speak and listen in a range of situations and to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves. During this time, children will also learn about the calendar, weather and sing songs, play games, read stories and learn about each other.

• ELG 01 Listening and attention
• ELG 02 Understanding
• ELG 03 Speaking

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

We plan varied activities both indoors and outdoors which help children to develop their co-ordination, physical control, movement, awareness of space and manipulative skills. This involves providing opportunities for children to be active and interactive, to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

• ELG 04 Moving and handling
• ELG 05 Health and self-care

PERSONAL, SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The goal for children of all ages is to promote positive self-esteem and competence. All children are encouraged to be independent according to their individual development and teachers encourage them to problem solve, accept and appreciate diversity and negotiate when in conflict with others. Teachers will assist children in areas of practical life, self-help and personal development through activities that encourage new skills.

• ELG 06 Self-confidence and self-awareness
• ELG 07 Managing feelings and behaviour
• ELG 08 Making relationships

Specific Areas of Learning and Their Associated ELGs

LITERACY

Nursery children take part in daily ‘Letters and Sounds’ high-quality phonics sessions.

In Nursery, Phase 1 phonics is introduced through small focused groups and activities. Here they will become tuned into sounds around them and learn to use them. Children carry out rhyming activities using objects and songs. When children enter Reception/Kindergarten class, they will be taught Phase 2 and Phase 3 in Principle and Practices of High-Quality Phonics every day. These are fun sessions which involve lots of speaking, listening and games, where the emphasis is on children’s active participation.

As children progress, they learn to use their phonic knowledge for reading and writing activities in guided sessions and in their independent play and work.

• ELG 09 Reading
• ELG 10 Writing

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics skills focus on number recognition, sorting, counting, sequencing, shapes, patterns, measurement, charts and addition by providing a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk about them.

• ELG 11 Numbers
• ELG 12 Shape, space and measures

UNDERSTANDING Of THE WORLD

Our Thematic-Based Approach Learning Programme has general monthly themes that are designed to promote developmental skills and to enrich all children’s understanding of their world.  The themes have educational, social, cultural, and emotional values. Children will have opportunities to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts usually focused on the theme and also explore and find out about their environment, technology, people and places that have significance in their lives.

• ELG 13   People and communities
• ELG 14   The world
• ELG 15   Technology

EXPRESSIVE ARTS & DESIGN

The majority of our projects are focused on the holidays and theme units.  This involves supporting children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials.  Children will have opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of art, design and technology, music, movement, dance and imaginative and role play activities.

• ELG 16 Exploring and using media and materials
• ELG 17 Being imaginative