OUR CURRICULUM
Children start to learn about the world around them from the moment they are born. The care and education offered by Orchard Pre-school helps children to continue to do this by providing all of the children with interesting activities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development.
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Being active and playing supports young children’s learning and development through doing and talking. This is how children learn to think about and understand the world around them. We use the EYFS statutory guidance on education programmes to plan and provide opportunities which will help children to make progress in all areas of learning. Our curriculum is made up of a mixture of activities that children plan and organise for themselves and activities planned and led by practitioners.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
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Provision for the development and learning of children from birth to 5 years is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our provision reflects the four overarching principles of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (DfE 2021):
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A Unique Child
Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.
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Positive Relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
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Enabling Environments
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, parents and carers.​
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Learning and Development
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 and disabilities.
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The EYFS Early Learning Goals (ELGs)
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We use the ELGs to support our observations and aid our planning and assessments.
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Prime Areas:
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Personal, social and emotional development
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Physical development
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Communication and language
Specific Areas:
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the world
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Expressive arts and design
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Characteristics of Effective Learning
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At Orchard Pre-School, your child's Key Person will also focus on and observe how your child is 'learning to learn'. This is called the Characteristics of Effective Learning (COEL). The COEL is divided into three areas:
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Playing & Exploring
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Active Learning
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Creating & Critical Thinking
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If you would like more information on COEL, we have a guide on our notice board outside of the pre-school. Alternatively, you can speak to your child's key person.
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