Nursery Curriculum

This theme is about how children develop: they are all different and their learning needs and styles are unique too. Positive relationships and good communication are vital so that we can plan for individual learning needs. Children do best when all their physical and emotional needs are met, and this is what we aim to do at Noah’s Ark. Staff begin by observing each child’s development and learning and assess their progress, planning for their next steps. Together we identify any areas which may need some additional support and arrange this if necessary.

Each child’s development is supported across all the areas of learning by the Characteristics of Effective Learning:

• Playing and Exploring: Finding out and exploring, Playing with what they know, Being willing to ‘have a go’.
• Active Learning: Being involved and concentrating, Keeping trying, Enjoying achieving what they set out to do.
• Creating and Thinking Critically: Having their own ideas, Making links, Choosing ways to do things.

This theme is about children learning to manage their feelings and build friendships. We respect all families and aim to develop a positive two-way relationship with parents and carers. Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships. Staff are warm and friendly and help to foster a sense of belonging. We are sensitive and responsive to children’s feelings and support their efforts and encourage independence. Children need to learn about risks and safety, how to make right choices, and how to stick to boundaries.

This theme is about how we plan for and check on each child’s progress. Children learn and develop well in environments in which the adults provide experiences based on children’s individual needs and there is a strong partnership between staff and parents/carers. These environments value everyone’s learning and offer stimulating resources relevant to all the children’s cultures and communities. We offer rich learning opportunities through play and playful teaching and support children to take risks and to explore.

This theme is about how children develop and learn in different ways. The EYFS framework covers the education and care of all children in the nursery, including children with additional needs. We teach children by providing challenging, playful opportunities across the Prime and Specific areas of learning and development. We aim to foster the Characteristics of Effective Learning: Playing and Exploring, Active Learning and Creating and Thinking Critically.

The EYFS is divided into two areas. The first, the Prime Areas, begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas. The Prime areas continue to be essential throughout the whole EYFS.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Making relationships, Self-confidence and self-awareness, Managing feelings and behaviour.
• Communication and Language: Listening and attention, Understanding, Speaking.
• Physical Development: Moving and handling, Health and self-care.

The Specific Areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. They grow out of the Prime areas and provide important contexts for learning.

• Literacy: Reading, Writing.
• Mathematics: Numbers, Shape, space and measure.
• Understanding the World: People and communities, The world, Technology.
• Expressive Arts and Design: Exploring and using media and materials, Being imaginative.