At Ainslie Wood we agree with The Early Years Framework when they say “Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential.”
We want every child to be the best that they can be and we know this starts with a solid foundation and enjoyment of learning from the very beginning of a child’s school journey. We provide learning opportunities that are exciting and inspired by the children’s interests and encourage children to develop independence in their learning by providing lots of highly engaging activities which encourage children to lead their own learning.
For more information about the Early Years Curriculum, Framework and Assessment, use the following website
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage provides the structure for our curriculum and approach. We use the four guiding principles to shape our practice:
· every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
· children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
· children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers; and
· children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.
The framework covers the education and care of all children in Early Years provision, including children with special educational needs.
There are seven areas of learning within the Early Years curriculum these are broken into 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas.
Three prime areas:
Four specific areas:
In Nursery we begin with the prime areas and as the children grow in confidence we begin to develop the specific areas. In Reception we build upon the learning that has begun in Nursery in both Prime and Specific areas.
Use the following link to find out more about the curriculum in Early Years;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-handbook
Learning in the Early Years is inspired by the children’s interests. We spend our time observing children and getting to know every one of them as an individual. This information is then used to plan learning opportunities which not only excite and engage the children, but also meets their individual needs. Children are encouraged to lead their own learning by choosing from a variety of interactive, open ended activities in both the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The following websites have excellent activities for your child to access, or feel free to speak to the staff in Early Years to find out more about how to support your child with their learning;
www.crickweb.co.uk/early-years.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/4_11/
Phonics is an essential tool for the development of pupil’s Literacy skills. In Reception children explore a range of phonics activities during freeflow and they also engage in a specific phonics lesson every day using the Letters and Sounds program. Nursery children begin phonics when they are ready.
The following websites have excellent phonics activities;
http://www.letters-and-sounds.com/
http://www.familylearning.org.uk/phonics_games.html
http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/freeIndex.htm
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/5-7-years/letters-and-sounds