Our Learning Objectives
Children learn through play and we therefore access all of the seven areas of learning outlined by the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) Framework through carefully planned activities, guided by your child’s needs and interests.
1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Children develop confidence, show appropriate self respect and are able to establish effective relationships with other children and with adults. They can work as part of a group or individually; they are able to concentrate and preserve their learning and seek help where needed. They are eager to explore new learning, and show ability to initiate ideas and to solve simple practical problems. They can demonstrate independence in selecting an activity or resources and in dressing and personal hygiene.
Children develop sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others and show respect for people of other cultures and beliefs. They can take turns and share fairly. They can express their feelings and behave in appropriate ways developing an understanding of what is right, what is wrong and why.
We provide many opportunities for children to develop these areas. For example, by caring for each other, helping the younger children be helping to look after our small pets, by promoting good table manners and trying new food and by appreciating that things which are different are acceptable. The children are also encouraged to become more independent by clearing away toys and equipment that has been used. High expectations for behaviour are set and children are helped to distinguish between good and bad behaviour.
2. Communication. Language and Literacy
In small and large groups children can listen attentively, they can listen and respond to stories, nursery rhymes and poems. Children know that words and pictures carry meaning. Our staff are always on hand to support and listen to each and every child. We ask questions to allow children to develop their language skills and thought process. We encourage children to listen to each other.
We implement Letters and Sounds within the Nursery. Letters and Sounds is a phonics resource published by the Department for Education and Skills in 2007. It aims to build children's speaking and listening skills in their own right as well as to prepare children for learning to read by developing their phonic knowledge and skills.
3. Literacy
We realize that reading is a fundamental part of a child’s growth, stories, poetry, rhymes and non-fiction books are enjoyed daily which also helps to extend a child’s everyday language and understanding of the world. Children’s fine motor skills, an essential requirement for writing are developed through play such as drawing, cutting, sticking, and painting and play dough.
4. Mathematics
We aim to develop a positive attitude in numeracy and other mathematical areas. We believe that young children appreciate mathematics best when they can learn through a variety of practical experiences which provide pleasure and enjoyment. We use a practical approach allowing children to count, sort, and measure and develop an awareness of pattern and numbers; we also encourage work with shapes, spaces and measures. We provide opportunities for children to select from a wide variety of suitable resources which include number rhymes, songs, stories and games.
5. Understanding of the World
We encourage each child to talk about where they live, their families, pets and past and present events in their lives. They can explore and recognize features of living things, objects and events in the natural and man made world and look closely at similarities, difference, patterns and change. We give the children an opportunity to talk about and record their observations, including questioning why things happen and how things work.
Children begin to learn about their own cultures and the beliefs of others. Where possible we use technology to help with the children’s learning. Interest, nature and science tables are used to develop the children’s curiosity,
6. Physical Development
The children learn to move confidently and imaginatively with increasing control, co-ordination and awareness of space and others. The children have access to our large landscaped garden area where they can enjoy a vast range of activities such as wheeled toys, sandpits, digging area, wild area, outside role play area.
7. Expressive Art and Design
We encourage the children to explore and develop imagination through music, art, role play, free play and we regularly praise their individual approaches. We have a variety of different materials such as paint, collage material, junk modelling, play dough and sand and water for he children to experiment with. We encourage children to take part in messy activities, e.g. playing with gloop/shaving foam. The types of activities are open ended and the agenda is then totally set by the child.
“Here at Little Tewkes Nursery & Childrens Centre learning is made enjoyable to help create an attitude towards learning that once formed will last a lifetime.”