Curriculum for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Within the group, all children are supported in their development at their own
pace. Our key-worker system enables us to ensure a planned curriculum tailored
to the needs of each child. By means of developmental play activities and a high
level of individual adult input, we offer a curriculum that enables children to
progress through the seven early learning goals throughout the Foundation
Stage. This prepares them for the National Curriculum, which begins at Year 1 in
Primary School.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Within our nurturing environment, children are individually supported in
developing confidence. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently
and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with
other children and adults.
Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable
ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of
others. All children are given the opportunity to take responsibility for
themselves and also for the group.
At the open snack bar we introduce different foods to try, always as part of a
healthy diet.
Lunchtimes provide an informal and social occasion for the children to chat and
share their experiences with each other.
Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and outdoors, allows
children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their
own bodily skills.
A very high level of adult supervision enables children to safely create and
meet physical challenges, developing skill and control in moving, climbing and
balancing. At the same time, children are helped to develop the skills they will
need to use tools, including scissors, pens and pencils, and to handle small
objects with increasing control and precision. They use outdoor tools when
digging in the garden.
They are also encouraged to develop awareness of their own bodies and learn
about how to stay healthy. This is achieved through role-play, snack bar,
stories, etc.
The children have access to climbing and gym equipment with safety mats, and
they play with our array of play equipment including balls, hoops, bicycles,
tractors and prams, as well as our large building blocks.
Communication and Language
In both small and larger groups, children are encouraged to extend their talking
and listening by hearing and responding to stories and songs. They are helped to
understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purposes of
writing and, when they are ready, to use drawn and written symbols for
themselves.
Literacy
A well-stocked book area gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to
become familiar with books, able to handle them and be aware of their uses, both
for references and for stories and pictures. We regularly take the children to
visit Harbury library for book-reading sessions.
Mathematics
The children become familiar with the sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing
and counting activities, which form the basis for early mathematics.
As their understanding of numbers develops, children are helped to learn and use
the vocabulary of mathematics, identifying objects by shape, position, size,
volume and number and are encouraged to use their problem solving skills.
Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number
sequences.
Sand or water play is always available to the children where we provide
problem-solving activities.
Understanding the World
A safe and stimulating environment allows children to observe and experiment
with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to recognise
differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their
findings.
We help the children explore and understand their environment, both within the
group and also in the wider community.
The children learn to respect other people, and expect to be respected for
themselves.
Harbury Pre-School regularly takes the children to the local village shops such
as the greengrocers to see the fruit and vegetables displayed. The children are
encouraged to talk about the origin of the produce and learn what money is
for. Or they may visit the Post Office to post a letter back to themselves at
home.
We explore different cultures and festivals, for example we have celebrated the
Diwali Festival of Light and Chinese New Year, along with taking the children to
a local stable for a Nativity Songtime.
Expressive Arts and Design
Children are encouraged to express their own ideas and feelings through art and
play.
Art equipment, including paint, glue, crayons and pencils as well as natural and
recycled materials, provides for open-ended exploration of colour, shape and
texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage.
Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many
opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a
group.
The children like to create their own puppets, and together they put on puppet
shows using stories they have created.
