Children in the Early years learn through play. The curriculum is formed of 7 different areas: Communication and language, Personal, social and emotional development and Physical development make up the prime areas of learning. Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding of the world and Expressive arts and design make the specific areas of learning. 

 

Communication and language

Good communication and language skills depend on learning, and being competent in a number of key skills, together with having the confidence, opportunity, encouragement, support and disposition to use them. This area of learning includes communication, speaking and listening in different situations and for different purposes.

 

Physical development

Physical development is about developing co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. It helps children gain confidence and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active. Effective physical development helps children develop a positive sense of well-being as well as increasing the fine motor skills needed throughout their school life.

 

Personal, social and emotional development

Successful personal, social and emotional development is critical for very young children in all aspects of their lives and gives them the best opportunity for success in all other areas of learning. Settings are provided for the experiences to support and enable children to develop a positive sense of themselves and have good relationships with others.

 

Literacy

This area of learning includes reading and writing in different situations and for different purposes, being exposed to a wide range of books and reading simple texts and writing for a variety of purposes. Literacy skills are developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play, so that children enjoy using and experimenting with sounds and words independently.

 

Mathematics

This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognising relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Mathematics is developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play, so that children enjoy using and experimenting with numbers. 

 

Understanding of the World

In this area of learning, children are developing the crucial knowledge; skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. This forms the foundation for later work in science, design technology, history, geography and computing.

 

Expressive arts and design

Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.