Our Curriculum

INTENT:

Here at the Old School Nursery and pre-school our main mission is that our children are happy, confident learners: who are supported to become the very best version of themselves so that they grow into independent, self-assured, resilient and respectful citizens for the future.

 Through close key relationships with sensitive key persons, the children are able to feel safe, supported and respected. Through these strong relationships our children are given a secure base in which to nurture and grow.

Staff plan enriched activities with open ended resources that support children to engage, be curious, explore and learn.

By observing children's interests activities can be planned and extended to support children learning and development, ensuring that children are learning at their deepest level.

A well planned enabling environment allows our children to become independent learners, to make good choices in decision making whilst being supported by the seven areas ( prime and specific) of the Early Years Foundation Stage, throughout our curriculum we hold a strong focus on Communication and Language as we prepare our children for the next stage in their development.

(Nursery to Preschool & Preschool to Reception)

IMPLEMENTATION:

·       First 6 weeks- carry out observations on the child. Gather information from parents, speak with the child and gather information regarding their family and home environment, and any outside agencies, who may be involved with the child. Show a genuine interest in the child and their family in order to begin to form a secure relationship as their key person.

·       ‘All about me’ is to be the theme during the first 6 weeks of Autumn term, in both nursery and preschool which will help inform the practitioner gather information about their keywork child.

·       Assess all the information you have about the child, together with your observations.

·       This will form the baseline or starting point for the child.

·       If there are any concerns around any area of a  child’s development, referral will be made to the setting SENCO and following discussions with the child’s parent a further referral may be made to the area SENCO.

·       Discuss the setting rules and boundaries with the children, from the outset and ask the children to decide on a rule they would like added.

·       Introduce feelings and emotions from week one.

·       Plan next steps. Consider what knowledge and understanding you wish the child to gain at each stage.

·       Share your planned next steps for the child with their parent/ carer.

·       Your planned next steps should build on what the child already knows- ‘graduating learning’.

·       Concentrating on the ‘Prime Areas’ for our youngest children- Age 2.

·       Prime Areas given priority for all children and expanding to all 7 areas, as Prime areas secure. Continuing to build on the child’s existing knowledge.

·       Adjustments must be made to ensure all of our SEND children are able to access all activities and be included.

·       SEND children may benefit from the work station. When possible, a quiet area and sensory blackout tent should be accessed.

·       Frequent opportunities for conversations must be sought, including whilst children play, during 1:1 time, during adult led activities, circle time and story time.

·       Books should be shared and read to children at every opportunity.

·       Picture prompt cards must be used with our EAL children, SEN children (if required), hearing impaired children and non-verbal.

·       Maketon should also be used where appropriate.

·       Dual language books should be sent home with our EAL children.

·       Activities promoting communication and language should take place every day, either as 1:1 or as part of group work.

·       In preschool, all 7 areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework should be equally worked on with the children, graduating their learning as you continually build on the knowledge which the children already have.

·       Children should also be taught the importance of staying healthy, as directed by the EYFS. This includes healthy eating and looking after their teeth. Activities to continuously promote this should happen throughout the year.

·       The curriculum is a guide and will be discussed and adjustments made to meet the changing needs of our children.

·       

·       IMPACT: Our children will be emotionally secure and confident, happy individuals as they move on to their next stage of education, ready to learn- Preschool children will start Reception class able to listen, speak at a good level, understand and  respond. They will also be able to attend to their own personal care.

Through their variety of experiences with us and their individual culture and homelife we believe that we will be preparing the children for future success.

Nursery children will be ready to learn and develop across all areas within our preschool.

Individual transitions will take place for our SEN children to support them as they move onto Reception.