Learning

The children in our Pre-School learn through playing and exploring, being active and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.

 

Within the group, all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. Our key person system enables us to ensure a planned curriculum is tailored to the needs of each individual child. By means of developmentally appropriate play activities and a high level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum that enables children to progress towards the early learning goals throughout the Foundation Stage; this prepares them for the National Curriculum, which begins at Year 1.

 

The 7 areas of learning and development

 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) areas of learning and development have been produced by the government and early years professionals for use by all early years providers. We use these areas of learning and development when we are observing, assessing and planning for your child’s individual needs. We ensure that they are constantly challenged as we help them to develop and succeed.

 

There are 7 areas of learning which are split into 2 parts:

 

3 Prime areas – children should develop the prime areas first and they are the most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.

 

4 Specific areas – as children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in the 4 specific areas

 

The 3 prime areas

Personal, social and emotional development

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Is confident and self assured
  • Manages their feelings and behaviour
  • Makes friends
  • Shares and takes turns

 

Physical development

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Moves and uses gross motor skills
  • Develops fine motor skills
  • Learns about healthy living
  • Manages care independently

 

Communication and language

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Listens and pays attention
  • Understands what is being said
  • Communicates with others
  • Develops vocabulary and speech

 

 

 

The 4 specific areas

Literacy

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Enjoys reading books
  • Likes making marks
  • Learns to write
  • Starts to explore phonics and letter sounds

 

Mathematics

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Learns about numbers and counting
  • Recognises the passing of time
  • Explores and measures, capacity space, shapes, opposites etc. during play

 

Understanding the world

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Finds out about nature and the world around them
  • Talks about people and their local community and learns about similarities and differences
  • Learns to confidently use information and communication technology

 

Expressive art and design

This area of learning and development is about how your child …

  • Enjoys being creative
  • Sings, dances and makes music
  • Plays imaginatively
  • Uses colour to express themselves

 

If you would like to know more information about the areas of learning and development or the EYFS then please don’t hesitate to ask your key person.