Early Years Curriculum – Chalkhill Primary School

Early Years at Chalkhill

At Chalkhill Primary School:

We value the individual child
We value our diverse and culturally rich community
We value our relationships with parents and work closely with them as their child’s first teacher
We provide a bespoke curriculum with engaging topics and enriching experiences planned around the children’s interests and developmental needs
We foster learning through play and the opportunities it provides for developing language and communication and problem-solving skills
We provide a language-rich learning environment, full of opportunity for creativity and independent learning
We value outdoor learning and the unique opportunities the outdoor classroom can provide

Areas of learning and development

There are seven areas of learning and development we teach the children in the EYFS. All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected.

Three prime areas are particularly important for learning and forming relationships. They build a foundation for children to thrive and provide the basis for learning in all areas. These are the prime areas:
• Communication and language
• Physical development
• Personal, social and emotional development

We also support children in four specific areas, which help strengthen and develop the three prime areas, and ignite children’s curiosity and enthusiasm. The specific areas are:
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Using the EYFS Statutory Framework and the non-statutory guidance ‘Development Matters’ we have created a bespoke curriculum overview for Nursery and Reception which is changed and adapted according to the children’s needs and interests.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

In planning and guiding what children learn, practitioners must reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust their practice appropriately.
Three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are:

Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
Active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

PRIME AREAS:

Communication and language – Development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations. Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking and listening and by hearing and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.

Physical development – Children are encouraged to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food. A range of equipment and opportunities both indoors and outdoors allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use of their bodily skills. Adult support enables children to safely create and meet physical challenges, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. Physical skills are taught through a clear sequence of progression by the school’s PE coach once a week. Children are also supported in the development of fine motor skills required to use tools, including pens and pencils and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.

Personal, social and emotional development – Children are taught to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others, to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and to have confidence in their own abilities. Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self-respect. They are encouraged to work and concentrate independently and also take part in the life of the class, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. We use the “Zones of Regulation” to help support children in identifying and regulating their emotions. We teach children strategies to help self sooth and thus enabling them to manage their feelings and behaviour. We deliver a programme called “MindUp” which teaches children the function of the brain and how to care and look after their mental health. The children practise Brain Breaks three times a day which is a mindfulness practise.

As children grow, the prime areas are strengthened and these will help them to develop skills in the four specific areas.

SPECIFIC AREAS:

Literacy – Development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to read and write. Children are taught to read and write through by use of phonics. Click here for more information about phonics. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest giving every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books. They learn how to handle them carefully and be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures. Books are shared daily in small groups and as a whole class, and individual reading books are sent home to be shared at home.

Mathematics – Children are given opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures. By means of adult-supported, practical and child initiated activities, children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities which form the basis for early mathematics.

Understanding the world – Children are encouraged to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. A safe and stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognising differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings. Children explore and understand their environment within the class and within the wider community.

Expressive arts and design – Children explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, and are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology. A variety of art equipment is available for all children to explore, including paint, glue, crayons, pencils, pens, chalks, pastels and natural/man made materials. Children participate in specialist teaching of music weekly where they practise rhythm, rhyme, explore instruments and build a repertoire of favourite songs.