Our curriculum divides the areas of learning and development into 7 areas:
Personal, social and emotional development forms the foundation for children’s learning and development. The development of independence, concentration skills and the ability to follow simple instructions are essential for children to be able to settle and to achieve later in their school career. The Learning Hub provides the opportunity for your child to learn how to relate to both adults and other children. Learning to share, co-operate and show consideration, respect for others and their property will enable your child to fit in and be at ease with their peers.
Developing children’s physical skills is an essential element in our Early Years curriculum. Children need to have developed the ability to control their movements in order to do many of the tasks that are expected of them in school. It is also necessary for them to be physically fit to cope with the many demands of the school day, which is usually longer and far more tiring than the early years routine. Physical activity and exercise are also important in the longer term as children (and adults) need to develop a positive attitude towards physical activity in order to remain healthy. To promote the healthy growth of your child and for them to develop muscular control and coordination regular activity is provided through games and play like swimming and yoga lessons, which is part of our school routine.
This curriculum area is divided into four sections:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
We develop all aspects of language so that children can communicate well. Good communication depends upon the ability to speak, listen, read and write. In every activity at the children are asked to talk about what they see and do.
Reading and writing is encouraged by making reading and writing materials readily accessible to your child. There are many opportunities to listen to stories, audio and video tapes and children are encouraged to listen to each other.
Many mathematics teachers believe that if children are given a ‘feel’ for numbers, shapes and measurement early on in life, they will be able to study maths in school with more confidence. We provide children with practical experiences of basic mathematical concepts. Maths revolves around practical activities and experience which form part of our daily routines. For example, tidying up and organizing toys, matching shapes to understand shape and size, construction with shapes and fitting them together, counting and much more.
This area of the curriculum looks at helping children to explore and consider the world around them. It builds on children’s natural curiosity and desire to touch, feel and ask questions about their environment. Activities are designed to make your child aware of the world around them and the wider world outside. They will begin to understand about the weather, nature, animals and plants, different countries and culture.
Creative development as a curriculum area not only encompasses children’s ability to express themselves creatively using a variety of media, but also develops in children an awareness and appreciation of different aesthetic forms. This means that children need to be provided with opportunities to appreciate different types of visual art, poetry and drama as well as being given the chance to express themselves creatively. Your child will use creative activities involving model-making, art, craft, music and movement drama to record what they have seen, done, imagined and felt. Everyday a selection of these activities will be available to your child, many of which will be structured with guidance and encouragement from our staff. Involvement is more important than what is actually made. For each of the 7 areas of Learning and Development, we set out an Early Learning Goal. These goals establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of their preschool. We will continually observe and assess the children attending the preschool. This allows us to plan activities that meet the needs of individuals and help them progress towards the Early Learning Goals in all areas.