Early Years curriculum

(click here to download curriculum as pdf)

Our Early Years department is part of the lower school and is made up of the Nursery and Reception classes. It is based in April House, an annex situated within the main building.

Nursery curriculum

(click here to download curriculum as pdf)

The curriculum is based upon the Early Learning Goals (ELGs), which was implemented in September 2000. ELGs set out the expectations of most children's learning and development throughout the foundation stage. The foundation stage is the period from age three years to the end of the Reception year.

The foundation stage curriculum is set out in six areas of learning, which are:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy;
• Mathematical development;
• Creative development;
• Physical development; and
• Knowledge and understanding of the world.

For each area of learning, there are various stepping-stones of development which, at the end of the foundation stage, lead to specific ELGs. These stepping-stones are not age-related, as all children develop at different rates. However, most children are expected to achieve the ELGs by the end of the foundation stage, and some children may exceed the expectations.

In April House, the curriculum is planned to enable each child to reach his or her full potential, and the stepping stones within each area of learning are integrated into various term topics.

Reception curriculum

(click here to download curriculum as pdf)

The Reception year is described as the final year of the foundation stage. The foundation stage curriculum is organised into six areas of learning - the Early Learning Goals (ELGs):

• Personal, social and emotional development;
• Communication, language and literacy;
• Mathematical development;
• Knowledge and understanding of the world;
• Physical development; and
• Creative development.

The foundation stage prepares children for learning in key stage 1. National Curriculum programmes of study for Key Stage 1 have been written to be taught in years 1 and 2.

Early Years assessment profile

Children are assessed during their attendance in the Nursery and when they are in the Reception class. This assessment and continuous monitoring enables the teaching staff to plan and set targets for individual needs and requirements.