Our Curriculum

Planting the seeds of a lifelong love of learning

Our nursery curriculum is backed by 30 years of expertise, ensuring we offer children the best environment for their growth and development. Our longstanding dedication to early childhood education nurtures confidence, independence, and a lifelong thirst for learning in every child. Our carefully designed curriculum encompasses the seven key areas of learning from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), each contributing to the holistic development of our children.

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

They choose their favourite activities and explore new ones, taking pride in their achievements and building confidence in tackling new tasks. Our nursery fosters good behaviour with clear boundaries, encouraging sharing, caring, respect, and love for one another. Children learn how to collaborate and become active members of a group. Each child is allocated a key worker who builds a warm relationship with them and is responsible for their pastoral care.

Communication and Language Development

We encourage children to sit and listen to stories, join in with rhymes and songs, and share their news with the larger group during carpet time. This helps them build their vocabulary and learn to follow simple instructions through various activities. Children share their experiences with peers and adults, enhancing their communication skills.

Physical Development

Our children learn to manage their own bodies, understand healthy eating, and use the toilet independently. They confidently negotiate space and hold pencils correctly. Activities such as cutting, pouring, and threading enhance fine motor skills vital for their development. Outdoor play is a daily activity, as well as regular visits to Dundonald Park where we hold our annual sports day.

Literacy Development
We follow a recognized phonics scheme, introducing a new alphabet sound each week through rhymes, songs, games, and focused literacy activities. Children learn to recognize the shape and sound of individual letters and begin forming them. Each child progresses at their own pace, and when ready, they start on a reading scheme, which includes Dandelion Launchers, The Oxford Reading Tree, and Songbirds.

Mathematical Development
Numbers and counting are integral to our nursery environment. With a “Number of the Week” and other focused activities, children understand number value and representation. They complete puzzles, construct with various blocks, sort, match, and problem-solve. Hands-on activities such as measuring, recording, and exploring shapes in their environment are also encouraged.

Understanding the World
Children are interested in the customs and beliefs of their families and peers. We invite parents and grandparents to share their celebrations, helping children appreciate similarities and differences in various traditions. They learn the importance of caring for the environment through seasonal changes observed in park visits, planting seeds, and a spring term visit from a farm. Children also use simple programmable toys and digital cameras to experience technology.

Expressive Arts and Design
Creativity is encouraged through specialist dancing and singing teachers who visit weekly. Children share their experiences in dancing displays and Christmas and summer concerts. They experiment with imaginative resources, creating artistic works displayed proudly around the nursery. Imaginative role play is developed with access to props and costumes, allowing children to express themselves in unique ways.