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Our Curriculum
At Willow Green, we embrace the UK Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, tailored for Nursery and Reception children. Our approach focuses on seven key areas of Learning and Development, emphasizing active engagement and individualized learning. Through careful observation during play and structured activities, our dedicated staff assess each child's abilities and guide their next steps. We prioritize play and exploration, providing ample opportunities for children to choose activities and learn through first-hand experiences. Our curriculum balances teacher-led initiatives with child-initiated learning, catering to diverse interests and learning styles. By fostering independence, resilience, and social bonds, our play-based approach cultivates essential skills for lifelong learning and development.
Our 7 Key Areas
There are seven areas of learning and development that set out what we must teach the children. All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.
These areas are split into PRIME AREAS and SPECIFIC AREAS
Prime Areas
The three prime areas are particularly important for learning and forming relationships. They build a
foundation for children to thrive and provide the basis for learning in all areas.
Communication & Language
Communication and language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development
Physical development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be
helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.
PSED
Personal, social and emotional development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of
themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities.
Specific Areas
The four specific areas, help strengthen and develop the three prime areas, and ignite children’s
curiosity and enthusiasm.
Literacy
Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.
Mathematics
Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.
Understanding the World
Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts & Design
Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology
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