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Early Years Curriculum

 

Early Education
Providers involved in the care and education of young children from birth to five follow statutory guidance from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.  This guidance is intended to support practitioners to meet the diverse needs of all children, enabling them to enjoy and achieve.

Children birth to three years
Care, learning and development for babies and children up to three is available at a variety of settings including day nurseries, registered pre schools and childminders. Practitioners use the Birth to Three Matters Framework to support the young children in their care.  The Framework:

  • values and celebrates babies and children
  • recognises their individuality, efforts and achievements
  • recognises that all children from birth develop and learning though interaction with people and exploration of the world around them
  • recognises the ‘holistic’ nature of development and learning

The child is at the centre of the Birth to Three Matters Framework. It identifies four Aspects, which celebrate the skill and competence of babies and young children and highlights the links between growth, learning, development and the importance of the environment in which they are cared for and educated.
These four ‘Aspects’ are

  • A Strong Child
  • A Skilful Communicator
  • A Competent Learner
  • A Healthy Child

Children three to five years
Pre-school education is available at settings which are registered for the Nursery Education Grant which include maintained nursery provision, private day nurseries, voluntary pre-school and childminders.  Learning and development in these settings is based on the principles of good practice set out in the Foundation Stage Curriculum Guidance.  The Foundation Stage starts at age three and continues until the end of the reception year.

All children, whichever provision they attend, will experience a play based curriculum of planned, independent and adult led activities.  These experiences may take place indoors and/or outdoors and will aim to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in the following areas:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
    Helps children to mix and form relationships with individuals and groups, playing and learning co-operatively.  Children are supported to develop a positive sense of themselves and an awareness of the needs and feelings of others
  • Communication, Language and Literacy
    Children are supported to develop skills in talking and listening, reading and writing.  They are introduced to a rich learning environment where these skills are valued.
  • Mathematical Development
    Mathematical understanding is developed through a variety of practical activities based on every day situations.  Children are supported to develop mathematical ideas and use related vocabulary while taking part in sorting, matching, ordering, counting, pattern making and working with numbers, shapes and measures.
  • Knowledge and Understanding of the World
    Children are encouraged to be curious, to ask questions, to experiment and solve problems to help them make sense of the world they live in. A variety of practical experiences build the foundation for later learning about science, design and technology, information and communication technology, history, geography and religious education.
  • Physical Development
    Young children are supported to develop physical control, co- ordination and manipulation, confidence and ability to move in different ways and handle large and small equipment.  Children learn how their bodies work and how to stay active, safe and healthy.
  • Creative Development
    Children have opportunities to take part in a range of creative experiences.  As their imagination develops they have opportunities to communicate and express their ideas and feelings in a number of ways through artwork, music, dance and role play. 

These six areas of learning are of equal importance and through activities and experiences children learn and develop in a holistic manner. 

Early Years Foundation Stage
From September 2008 The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together: Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage, the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the National Standards for Under 8s Daycare and Childminding.  Providers will use the EYFS practice guidance to continue to deliver quality experiences to support children’s learning and development and care from birth.

 

Related pages:

Leaflets and publications:

Information for practitioners:

External websites:

Contact us:
Children’s Information Service
Tel: 01925 443131
Email: cis@warrington.gov.uk