Personal and Social Development.

Within a safe, secure and stimulating environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and a positive sense of themselves. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently, but also to work as part of a group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activities, topics, conversations and positive role models, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others.

a. Communication, Language and Literacy

Individually and in varying size groups, children are encouraged to use communication, language and literacy in every part of our curriculum, including talking, listening and responding to stories, songs and rhymes. Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning and, when they are ready, children are encouraged and supported to use drawn and written symbols for themselves. They are encouraged to be able to handle and be familiar with how books work, and to be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

b. Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

By means of adult supported practical experience, children become familiar with sorting, matching, counting, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures.

c. Knowledge and Understanding of the World

In this area of learning, children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances recognising differences, similarities, patterns and change. A wide range of equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate, to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.

Children are assisted to explore and understanding their environment, both within the setting and in the wider community. We explore different religious beliefs and cultures with the help of a variety of activities and resources.

d.  Physical Development

A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoor and out, allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in their skills and co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. Close adult supervision enables children to safely create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving. At the same time children are supported in the development of fine control skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.

e.  Creative Development

Children are encouraged to express their own ideas and feelings and to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. Paint, glue, crayons and pencils, as well as natural and discarded resources, provide for an open-ended exploration of colour, texture, shape, form and space in two or three dimensions and the development of skills in painting, drawing, collage and modelling. Children join in with, and respond to, music, dance and stories. There are many opportunities for role-play and imaginative play both individually and as part of a group.