Curriculum
Children entering Nursery begin a curriculum called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is followed throughout their year in Nursery and continues until the end of their Reception year. All subjects which are taught in Nursery follow the guidelines set out in the EYFS Statutory Framework document.
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Academic Year
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Term 1
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Term 2
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Term 3
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Term 4
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Term 5
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Term 6
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2024/2025 |
All About Me |
The Sky and Space |
Exploring My World |
Materials and Forces |
Woodlands |
It's Showtime |
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2025/2026 |
All About Me |
The Sky and Space |
Colour and Artists |
How Things Work |
In The Garden |
Farms and Zoos |
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning and development.
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Personal, social and emotional development.
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Communication and language.
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Physical development.
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Literacy.
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Mathematics.
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Understanding of the world.
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Expressive arts and design.
Structured activities and experiences are planned within these areas to provide the early years’ curriculum.
Children do not make a distinction between ‘play’ and ‘work’. Well-planned activities, both indoors and outdoors, are a key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge.
Children behave in different ways when playing. Sometimes they will choose to be physical, sometimes they will describe and discuss what they are doing and sometimes they will be quiet and reflective.
Our role is crucial. We:
- offer a challenging environment;
- support learning through planned play activities;
- extend spontaneous play;
- extend and develop language and communication through play.
Through play, in a secure environment, children can:
- explore, develop and represent learning experiences to help make sense of the world;
- practise and build up ideas, concepts and skills;
- learn how to control impulses and understand need for rules;
- be alone, alongside or co-operating with others;
- take risks and make mistakes.
CLASSROOM ORGANISATION
The Nursery is divided into specific areas. Examples of these are:
DISCOVERY
This area includes activities such as, water, dry and wet sand play, woodwork, dough or clay, and other materials including wet cornflour, pulses and pastas. There is also time for simple scientific experiments including work with magnets, mirrors, colours and magnification.
CRAFT
Children are able to experiment with paint, fabrics, glue, string, foil, junk materials, buttons, pulses and pastas to create their own pictures, patterns and designs.
‘LET’S PRETEND’
During choosing time, children have the opportunity to explore and use their imagination. Props are provided which are often related to our topics. Children are encouraged to use the equipment in a variety of different ways, practise their language skills and socialise with others.
CONSTRUCTION
In this area, children are able to experiment and create. Construction kits and large and small bricks will be available. The children will use their manipulation and imaginative skills to build various models. They may be asked to record their model in picture form.
QUIET AREA
Speaking, listening and concentration skills are developed here. Jigsaws can be pieced together, stories heard, computer programs explored and mathematical skills stimulated and discovered.
COOKING
The children take turns to cook regularly and make sandwiches or toast for snack.
SNACK TIME
Our snack time is sometimes spent altogether as a group, but at other times we offer a snack bar to support children’s independence.
PHONICS
Kirton Primary School follows the ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised’ scheme to teach daily phonics sessions in Reception and Year 1. This systematic, synthetic phonics programme follows a clear sequence in order to support our children to learn how to blend for reading and segment to spell. We carefully match your child’s reading book to their phonic stage using the ‘Big Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised’ books. Each week, our children are supported to develop skills in decoding, reading with expression and comprehension.
PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORKING TOGETHER
If we are to be successful, it is essential that there is a good home/school partnership. For our part, we try to keep you informed of what we are doing and how you can help – for your part, we hope that you will support the school’s work and also come and talk to us if you have any queries or concerns.
Should you wish to find out more about your child’s curriculum, please contact their class teacher.