Pre-School Curriculum

Our Foundation Stage curriculum is ambitious and has been crafted and created with the whole school key drivers at the heart of it: community and culture; communication; confident individuals; and ambition and opportunities.

In Literacy, storytelling and high quality books are at the heart of our approach to early literacy with the key aim to promote and develop a love for reading, language comprehension, word reading, transcription and writing composition.We have a systematic approach to the teaching of the firm foundations of phonics using ‘Supersonic Phonic Friends’.

In Maths, we have a systematic approach to the teaching of Maths. We utilise ‘White Rose Maths Hub’ resources to support our planning and to develop the children’s mathematical learning. These resources support the use of concrete experiences to support the teaching and learning of mathematical concepts that then provide a strong grounding in number.

We create an enabling environment through careful planning of the continuous provision, both indoors and outdoors. This helps to develop the children’s curiosity and enables them to become independent learners.

The outdoor provision is an essential part of foundation stage life. Whilst accessing outdoor provision, the children are provided with opportunities to develop their independence, teamwork, resilience, cooperation and problem solving skills. This includes time in the outdoor areas, forest schools, the nature garden, the garden area and the school chickens.

Areas of Learning and Development

The 7 areas of learning (split into Prime and Specific) that shape our Foundation Stage provison:

Prime Areas

• Personal, Social & Emotional Development. Aspects: Making Relationships, Self-confidence & Self- awareness, Managing Feelings & Behaviour.
• Physical Development Aspects: Moving & Handling, Health & Self-care.
• Communication and Language, Aspects: Listening & Attention, Understanding, Speaking.

Specific Areas

• Literacy, Aspects: Reading & Writing,
• Mathematics, Aspects: Numbers, Shape, Space & Measures.
• Understanding the world, Aspects: People & Communities, The World, Technology.
• Expressive Arts & Design, Aspects: Exploring & Using Media & Materials, Being Imaginative.

We provide teaching and learning opportunities that support the children to reach their full potential, through a balance direct teaching and child led play-based learning. Their child led learning doesn’t always have an immediate fixed outcome, but the children have significant choice and independence which supports with their development of their confidence, independence, collaboration, persistence and self-regulation. We have an inclusive curriculum. Every child can access our curriculum, with extra help when needed. We aim to scaffold up to an inclusive curriculum, rather than give children a watered-down differentiated curriculum.