Curriculum

We create a curriculum based on the child's interests and needs, following the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS), which  sets out the learning and development stages for children as they grow from birth to five years.

The EYFS is based on 4 overarching principles which shape good practice in early years settings:

A unique child 

Every child is unique.  They are consistently learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. 

Positive relationships

Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.

Enabling environments

Children learn and develop well in environments where their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and yourself as a parent and/or carer.

Children learn and develop in different ways and at different rates

The framework covers the education and care of your child within the early years setting, including children with additional needs.

So what does this mean for you and your child? The EYFS supports practitioners to provide play experiences that enable your child to expand their knowledge and skills to support their individual learning and development in their early years.  As practitioners we recognise your child’s strengths and areas they may need additional support with.  This support may come from within Pre-School or from other professionals.

It is important for your child to feel safe and secure in their surroundings, this is aided by having a Key Worker within the setting who will get to know you and your child well and build a strong and interactive relationship with you both. 

The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their healthy development. Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. 

We concentrate on the 3 prime areas first as these provide the foundation for all other learning. These are: 

• Communication and language; 
• Physical development;
• Personal, social and emotional development. 
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These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning. As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. 

These are: 

• Literacy; 
• Mathematics; 
• Understanding the world;  
• Expressive arts and design. 
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These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities. The staff at Barrowby will teach and support your child by planning activities that are suited to your child’s unique needs. This is a little bit like a curriculum in primary and secondary schools, but it's suitable for very young children, and it's designed to be really flexible so that staff can follow your child's unique needs and interests. Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.Your child has an individual learning journey where we record observations, videos, photos and other information that is kept as an on-going record of their developmental journey.  

Wherever your child is being cared for, whether at Barrowby Pre-School or elsewhere, we will be following the same set of overarching principles within the EYFS framework.

If you have any further questions about early education or the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) please talk to your child’s Key Worker who will be able to offer further information

9am – Doors open. - Make your way into Pre-School. The children can find their friends and choose where they would like to play. If you have any messages for the Pre-School staff please inform the staff member at the door, or Louise the Manager

9.15 am – Welcome time. - The children greet each other with our Hello song. We look at the calendar, count all the children and talk about what we will be doing today. 

9.30 am – Snack cafe / focused activities / free flow. - The children choose which activities they would like to take part in. There is always lots to choose from, such as craft, painting, play-dough, tabletop activities like jigsaws, the role play area or small world and construction area. Our staff play alongside the children and work to observe, assess and develop their learning. They also lead focused activities during this time which enable their key children to learn and achieve their next steps. The snack cafe is open throughout the morning so children can choose when they would like a break for snack. We provide a range of healthy snacks like fruit, cereal, toast to eat with either milk or water. The children are encouraged to pour their own drink and to tidy up after themselves. We have a lovely garden which we use every day, whatever the weather. The children can experiment in the mud kitchen, build castles in the sandpit and compose with the sound wall.  There is usually lots of games to take part in, like ‘What’s the time Mr Wolf’, ball games and circle games, as well as developing their physical skills on the scooters, scuttlebugs and rockers.

11.40 am Tidy up

11.45 am – Circle time. - This time allows children to share what they have been doing in the morning, the discoveries they have made and the play they been part of.  Before lunch we enjoy a range of story books and sing our favourite nursery rhymes. 

For those only doing the morning session it’s time to say ‘Goodbye’

12 - Lunch time. The children who have not gone home, wash their hands and enjoy lunch with their friends.

12.45 pm – In the afternoon, children select the activities they would like to do, continue with the mornings play and activities, inside or outside, take a walk, go to the park, or relax on the sofa with a story. 

2.45 pm – Circle time. – We come together at the end of the day to reflect on the day’s activities, have a story, sing some songs or play ‘bug in a rug’ and wait to be collected.

3 pm - Home time. See you tomorrow! 

Don’t forget to take the artwork you put in your tray home.