Our Curriculum
INTENT (The purpose –what we intend to do)
Our Curriculum offers a wide variety of rich experiences that are crucial to child development. At Tree Tots Day Nursery we believe that all children deserve an education rich in wonder and memorable experiences that allows children's natural creativity and curiosity to flourish, alongside the purposeful acquisition of skills and knowledge. We believe that an education that does all of this gives children the best chance to become well-rounded, happy individuals, ready to succeed in an ever-changing world. We believe children learn best when they are interested, curious and deeply engaged, which at this age and stage of development is best achieved through play.
Our approach is committed to child-led learning. We see children as confident and capable learners who are able to lead their own learning and develop their own ideas and theories, whilst educators observe, support and extend the learning alongside the child. We believe that the correct mix of adult directed and uninterrupted child-initiated play ensures the best outcomes for children.
It is our intent that all children develop physically, verbally, cognitively and emotionally in an environment which values all cultures, communities and people.
Warm and positive relationships between staff and children, consistent routines and strong relationships with parents are key.
IMPLEMENTATION (How)
At Tree Tots Day Nursery we meet the welfare requirements laid down in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2021 and actively safeguard and promote the welfare of all of our children. We recognise that children will learn most effectively when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met and when they have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. We aim to provide a setting that encompasses a safe and stimulating environment where children are able to enjoy learning and grow in confidence that helps them to achieve their fullest potential.
There are seven areas of learning and development that shape activities and experiences for children. Of these areas, three – known as the prime areas – are vital for igniting children's curiosity and building their capacity to learn and form relationships. These are communication and language, personal, social and emotional development physical development. The three prime areas are strengthened and applied through the four specific areas: literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design.
We prioritise creating a 'language rich' environment through the use of songs, nursery rhymes, stories and providing time for quality interactions between adults and between peers.
We understand the importance of parental engagement and believe that our parents have a crucial role to play in their children's education. We work hard to create strong partnerships between home and nursery. Parents enjoy using eyLog to engage in their child's learning and are encouraged to share learning at home.
As part of the learning and teaching process, children are assessed in relation to their progress towards the checkpoints in the Development Matters and our Nursery goals. These judgements are made on the in-depth educator knowledge of the children acquired through ongoing observation and assessment. These ongoing assessments are used to inform planning and next steps in teaching and learning for all children throughout the year.
The curriculum is taught through the following ways…
In the moment planning
We have adopted an 'In The Moment' approach to our teaching and learning. Our approach supports us engaging in high quality interactions with the children where we follow their interests and to spot 'teachable' moments in their play. We support them to develop their skills and knowledge. Their learning is moved on as immediate next steps are identified and met. All planning is flexible and responsive to children's needs so plans can be changed and adapted dependent on children's interests.
Our Environment
Our environment is carefully planned and designed to ensure the core provision meets the needs of all the children to ignite and promote curiosity. Our learning environment consists of various different areas. Each area is equally important and provides children with a range of resources and equipment to enable children to learn.
Curiosity Approach
We take aspects from 'The Curiosity Approach' and use natural, reclaimed and authentic resources, which promote exploration, discovery, creativity, imagination, curiosity, awe and wonder. These resources are anything from branches, pine cones, leaves, mud, flowers, shells, real items such as kettles, pots and pan, crates, tyres, cable drums and microwaves.
Forest School Approach
We support children through the Forest School ethos, this promotes a love of learning through play, discovery and curiosity in the natural world, fostering a connection with and love for the environment. Our educators are passionate about the wonder of learning through outside play and exploration by embracing the Forest School ethos. We have a designated forest school area and a specific curriculum for
our forest school programme, which every child from the age of 2 years will get to experience. Our Acorns (0-2) still get to explore the forest school area but will be learning through nature-based play.
Adult-led activities
In addition to open-ended, child-initiated learning and regular routines of the day our adult-led activities provide opportunities for introducing new knowledge or ideas, and for developing and practising skills. The activities can provide a new stimulus, or an opportunity to revisit or further develop learning. Sometimes the activities could be prompted by children's interests as observed in their play. Adult-led activities include a daily story, singing sessions, and letters and sounds activities and key group times. All children participate in music and movement sessions and physical sports sessions to promote balance, co-ordination and gross motor skills.
Monthly Curriculum Information
At Tree Tots Day Nursery, we have
monthly curriculum information. This will explain our focus theme for the month and what we will be working towards in each area of development.
IMPACT (The result of what we do)
Our curriculum and its delivery ensure that children, from their own starting points make good progress and are offered a broad curriculum which meets each child's unique needs.
Children make good progress toward their age-related expectations both academically and socially, before transitioning into the next room or reception.
We believe our high standards are due to our carefully planned environment, enriched play-based curriculum, quality teaching and assessment to make sure each child receives the right support at an early age.
We believe high quality child-initiated play results in deep involvement. Deep involvement indicates brain development and learning.
