Here at Highdale Day Nursery we follow the foundation stage Curriculum. This is in place to encourage each Child to experience and progress through each of the stepping-stones and gradually meet the ‘Six Early Learning’ goals approximately by the end of their first school year.
Here at Highdale Day Nursery we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum guidance. This is a framework put together by the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) and covers ages 0 – 5.
It focuses on six areas of development:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication, language and literacy
- Problem solving/ reasoning/ numeracy.
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
We aim to create a stimulating environment offering children first hand experiences and opportunities for them to develop and learn new skills through play enabling them to progress in all of these six areas.
We understand that through observation, interaction and planning we can follow children’s interests and encourage them to be motivated, enthusiastic learners.
We aim to build positive relationships with all children so that they feel secure and confident. Our role as adults is to be there to share and support children’s ideas, encouraging them to be independent thinkers and building up their self-esteem.
Children have access to all three areas of the nursery including our outside area throughout most of the session, this enables them to make their own choices, encouraging independence and self-confidence.
We have a large variety of toys and educational resources that are clearly labelled so that the children can access these easily.
There are designated areas within each larger area of the nursery these areas include:
- Home corner/ imaginative area
- Maths area
- Writing area
- Construction area
- Book area
- Computer area
- Sand and water area
- Art area
- Outside play area
- Garden area
These areas are incorporated into choosing time/free play and adult led planned activities.
We provide a balance of child initiated and adult led activities that are appropriate for each child’s age and stage of development.
Profiles are kept on every child to monitor their development and celebrate their achievements, we will be happy to discuss each stage of your child’s development with you as your child progresses.
We recognise that you as parents / carers are the most important people in your child’s lives and the knowledge that you have of them is invaluable to us, therefore we wish to work in close partnership with you to ensure that your child has the best possible start in their early years.
We hold regular parents evenings giving parents and guardians the opportunity to meet with your child’s key worker, discuss their development and contribute to the profiles, however if you have any issues you wish to discuss or would like to see your child’s profile we welcome you to do so at any time.
We welcome any input about activities, skills and appropriate information that will help us to get to know your child better, home/ nursery contact books are provided if you would like to use them to assist with this important communication.
Information regarding the Early Years foundation stage curriculum, particular skills that we are concentrating on and daily activities are displayed on our notice board.
Personal & Social Development
Children will be encouraged to learn, sharing, caring, playing and exploring as individuals in small groups. Encouraging concentration and self-discipline as well as social skills through interaction with Staff members and peers. Building and promoting a strong self image and self esteem.
Creative Development
To help explore a Child’s imagination, encouraging each Child to express their ideas and their feeling’s in a creative way, through Art & Design, Music & Movement, Yoga, Role-play, Design & Technology.
Language & Literacy
Helping to develop each Child’s ability to talk and Listen, by offering them the opportunity to be involved in discussions. Encourage Children’s communication skills, developing language and extending vocabulary by asking them for ideas and encouraging conflict-resolution. As well as providing the opportunities and tools to experiment with reading and mark-making
Mathematics
By providing Children with the opportunity to develop an understanding in all mathematical areas, for example recognizing and understanding numbers, shapes, measurements, counting, matching, sorting & comparing. Children can experiment and learn new skills.
Knowledge & Understanding of the World
We provide activities that develop a knowledge and understanding or the World and their surrounding environment so that they can gain as much information as possible about the World around them including different culture’s, religion’s and technology.
Physical Development
To help develop the skills needed for controlled movement and co-ordination, we provide activities that explore space and balance using their imagination. We help develop and practice both fine manipulative and gross motor skills with various methods and tools for experimentation.
