The Early Years Curriculum takes the children from birth to 5 years old, it is split into 7 areas, 3 Prime areas and 4 Specific areas.
Prime areas:
Personal, Social and Emotional
Communication and Language
Physical Developmet
Specific areas:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive arts and Design
Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
Communication and Language
Communication and Language is split into 2 aspects: Listening, Attention and Understanding, and Speaking.
As the year progresses we expect children to remain at a particular activity for longer (age appropriate) periods of time.
Speaking: This is where children's vocabulary is developed, introducing them to a wider range of words. Also encouraging children to speak in longer sentences to share their ideas and experiences. In Nursery examples of how this is delivered is through:
Singing and reciting a wide variety of nursery rhymes,
Learning and reciting Poetry Basket poems,
The use of story maps to retell familiar stories,
Sharing books on a daily basis talking about the story.
Our first story map this year is Dear Zoo. The story map for this book will be sent home later in the week so your children can share this with you.
The stories that your child will retell throughout their time in Foundation Stage will increase in complexity.
Saying poems out loud emphasises the sounds and rhythms of language and the syllables contained in each word which is a vital part of learning to read.
When reciting a poem with actions, children discover and use new words in an almost effortless way. It is as if the rhythm and the structure of the verse give context to these unfamiliar phrases.
Physical Development
Gross Motor skills is developing children's core strength and balance, allowing them to:
Use large muscle movements and move their body in different ways.
Remember a sequence of movements.
Ride bikes and scooters.
Kick and catch large balls.
Independently match their skill to a task or activity. (e.g. Deciding whether to run, walk or crawl over a plank)
Collaborate with others when moving heavy objects.
Squiggle Whilst you Wiggle is an early writing programme by Shonette Bason.
It combines music, dance and a range of gross motor movements to help your child develop the fine motor skills they need to become future writers.
In nursery your children participate in Squiggle Whilst you Wiggle every other day.
All areas of learning are important and interconnected. They also work alongside the Characteristics of Effective Learning.
Playing and Exploring
Active Learning
Creating and thinking critically
Whilst the curriculum focuses on what children learn, the Characteristics of Effective Learning focus on how children learn. They tell us that children are learning when they are engaged, motivated and thinking.
Our curriculum underpins all future learning by supporting the children's personal, social and emotional wellbeing. It encourages positive attitudes and dispositions towards learning and promotes learning through play.
Each half term throughout the year as a school we follow a curriculum driver. The subject drivers form part of our teaching through use of books, links to literacy sessions and also within provision.
Using a whole school curriculum driver ensure that skills and concepts are progressive throughout school from Nursery to year 6.
Objectives are broken down further into nursery and reception class. Below is an example of the strand 'Chronology' from the History curriculum.
The curriculum drivers for the rest of the year are:
Autumn term 2: Art: Sculpture
Spring term 1: History
Spring term 2: DT
Summer term 1: Geography
Summer term 2: Art: Drawing
As children move into Reception year there is a greater focus on formal teaching of the essential skills and knowledge in the specific areas of learning.
Assessment
Ongoing assessments plays an important part in shaping learning to meet the needs of all pupils. Through observations, practitioners develop a clear understanding of a child's achievements and next steps in learning. Observations are recorded on SEESAW, and linked to the appropriate learning objectives.
At Mapplewell Primary School we use Objective-Led planning to ensure pupils are moved forward in their learning through observing and supporting play using scaffolding and questioning.
Your child's attainment against the EYFS curriculum is constantly monitored and updated half termly on our school system. You will be informed of your child's attainment in the prime areas at parents evenings throughout the year.
What does your child's day look like?
8:40am The children enter Nursery, hang up their coat and bag. After register children participate in Squiggle Whilst you Wiggle or Dough Disco session.
8:50 Children participate in group time, this is usually focused around Personal, social, and emotional development, Communication and Language, Literacy or Maths.
From 9am - 11:15am the children in Nursery access indoor and outdoor provision.
11:15am Children will join their key worker again for a phonics group session.
11:30am Whole class story and singing time.
Parents as partners.
As parents you play an essential role in your child's development. It is essential that there is a quality relationship between yourselves and your child's key workers.
Thank you for your time, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.
Mrs Travis, Mrs Fielding and Mrs Wilkinson.