“Play is the soil from which a child grows” ~ Vince Gowmon
We provide a safe, positive and enabling environment, where children are guided and supported by adults that they trust, allowing them to feel confident to explore the world around them, extend their interests and discover their passions.
We have one Nursery class called Indigo and two Reception classes called Saffron and Citron. These classes work together to provide a solid foundation on which our children can continue their learning journey.
The Characteristics of the Foundation Stage Curriculum
Prime Areas:
- Communication and Language
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development.
These are areas that children develop quickly in response to relationships and experience. They run through and support children’s learning in all other areas.
4 Specific areas:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
These are areas that include developing specific skills and knowledge.
Both the Prime and Specific areas will be taught through:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
The importance of play
Well-planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is an important way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. In playing, they behave in different ways; sometimes their play will be boisterous, sometimes they will describe and discuss what they are doing, sometimes they will be quiet and reflective as they play. Through play, in a secure environment with effective adult support, children can:
- Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world
- Practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills
- Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules
- Be alone, be alongside others or cooperate as they talk or rehearse their feelings
- Take risks and make mistakes
- Think creatively and imaginatively
- Communicate with others as they investigate or solve problems
- Express fears or relive anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations.
Early Literacy
Literacy in the early years includes talking about books, print in the environment, early mark making and writing, as well as sharing books and reading. Below are some useful links to help you support your child with developing early literacy skills.
How to help your child develop their phonics skills and letter recognition