What experiences will my children have?

The nursery curriculum planning that is carried out is taken from the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance. The planning and teaching is then carefully differentiated for all of the children’s academic needs and follows on from the achievements that they have already made with you at home. 

The nursery is run with a strong, Froebelian influence, where the belief is that, through engaging with the world, understanding unfolds. We value giving children opportunities for uninterrupted play as a creative activity and a way for children to learn and discover about the world around them.  

The aim of the nursery is to guide children as they take their first steps towards learning and independence indoors and out. 

Froebel believed that from the beginning the child must be surrounded by kindness, understanding and beauty. We share this belief. We place a high importance on the nursery environment. The use of natural materials and soft warm colours of natural wood are combined to provide a homely atmosphere. There is a calm unhurried feel to the nursery, which begins as the children listen to the sounds of relaxing music at candle time and carries on throughout the day. For more information on the Froebelian principles here

The nursery class is housed in the blue house in the grounds of Newlands Spring Primary and Nursery School. There are a variety of spaces, indoor and out, providing beautiful areas for block play, art and craft, cooking, role play, small world and quiet activity. Snack time is taken together as a calm and shared experience.  

In the nursery we meet all the requirements of the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Our play and other learning materials are mostly made of wood and other natural materials that allow for open ended play and the opportunity for each child’s imaginative and creative play to be set free. Outside is a lovely garden with areas for physical play with loose part materials, water play, a mud kitchen, a large sandpit and allotment area. 

The curriculum

The nursery curriculum is based on the seven areas of learning of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The nursery class will be in our purpose built early years classroom, equipped with play resources to develop creativity, problem solving and enjoyment of learning.

The four guiding principles help to shape our approach:

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured
• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
• children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers
• the learning and development of each child will be different

We support the children in developing the ‘Characteristics of Effective learning’ and acknowledge these are an important part of how children play and learn.

• playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

The EYFS covers seven different areas of learning. We believe children learn best through play, first- hand experiences and talk. Staff plan engaging activities based on the children’s developmental needs and interests. Our high quality indoor and outdoor environments support the children in all areas of learning. Planned first-hand experiences such as cookery and Forest school, also provide additional, rich learning opportunities for the children.

Prime Areas

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

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• Communication and Language

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Physical Development 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific Areas

• Literacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Mathematics

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• Understanding of the World

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• Expressive Art and Design

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on the EYFS curriculum go to

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2

More information on our cookery, woodwork and clay activities can be found at: https://www.froebel.org.uk/pamphlets/