Our Curriculum During their time at pre-school all children are supported in developing their potential at their own pace. Our curriculum is tailored to the needs of each individual child, and by working both in small and large groups, prepares children to progress with confidence through the foundation stage. (Age three years to the end of reception).
The education programme is likely to ensure that children, by the END OF RECEPTION year;
Communication, language and literacy #Listen attentively and respond (using stories, songs, rhymes and conversation). # Talk about their experiences. #Use increasing vocabulary to express thoughts and explore meanings. # Make up their own stories and take part in role-play. #Use and enjoy books, for reference and fiction, knowing that pictures and words have meaning. # Recognise own names, some familiar words, alphabet letters. #Associate sounds with words, letters, syllables and patterns in rhymes. # Communicate meaning using upper and lower case letters, and picture symbols. # Use a pencil and hold it effectively.
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy # Use mathematical vocabulary to describe shape, position, size and quantity. # Talk about, recognise and recreate simple patterns. # Sort, compare and put objects in order. # Become familiar with rhymes, songs and counting games. # Count to 10 and read and write to 10. # Use objects to solve simple mathematical problems.
Knowledge and understanding of the world #Talk about their families, environment, past, present and future. # Explore features of living things, natural and man-made objects, recognise similarities, differences, patterns and changes. # Talk about and record their observations, questioning why things happen and how things work. # Choose and use material and equipment to cut, fold, join and build. # Use technology, where appropriate, to support their learning. # Begin to know about their own cultures and beliefs and those of others.
Creative development # Explore sound, colour, texture, shape, form, space in two and three dimensions. # Respond in various ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel. # Have increasing ability to use observation and imagination for art, music, dance, stories and play. # Express ideas and communicate feeling through a widening range of materials, suitable tools, musical instruments, etc.
Physical development # Move confidently and imaginatively, with increasing bodily control, co-ordination and awareness of space. # Use a range of large and small equipment, plus balancing and climbing apparatus with increasing skill. # Use appropriate tools, objects and materials safely and with increasing control. # Recognise the importance of keeping healthy and the things that contribute to this.
Personal, social and emotional development # Have confidence and self-respect. # Behave appropriately, being aware of right and wrong. # Are willing to share and take turns fairly. # Have good relationships with sensitivity to others, including those of other cultures and beliefs. # Respond to significant experiences showing a range of feelings when appropriate. # Work well in groups and independently. # Concentrate, persevere and use initiative. # Have personal independence (dressing, hygiene, etc). # Have good relationships with adults and peers.
We have established links with local schools, so that the children start their school years with confidence. In order to support our curriculum, we organise occasional visits during the year e.g. to an estate agency, garden centre and Whitchurch School Library. The pre-school year go on an annual visit in the summer term that reflects the current topic.