Early Years Curriculum

Our Curriculum

Our school Early years provision meets the full requirements of ‘The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework’, (2021). This sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes. The EYFS framework supports an integrated approach to early learning and care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences to all children.

As well as being the core document for all professionals working in the foundation years, the EYFS framework gives parents/carers confidence that regardless of where they choose for their child’s early education, they can be assured that the same statutory commitments and principles will underpin their child’s learning and development experience. The full document can be found on the document below.

Our school also provides a broad, balanced, early years curriculum based on the needs and interests of the children and local community. We ensure a progression of learning from 2 to 5 years, supported by our key curriculum document ‘Birth to Five Matters’ (2021 ,www.birthto5matters.org.uk) - see document below. This non-statutory document outlines how we can ensure your child receives care and education to support their learning through activities which are enjoyable, useful, fun and appropriate to their present stage.

How your child will be learning:

There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.

Prime areas.

Three areas are particularly important for building a foundation for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving. These are the prime areas:

• communication and language

• physical development

• personal, social and emotional development

Specific areas.

We also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:

• literacy

• mathematics

• understanding the world

• expressive arts and design

The staff at Castleton Early Years will use these to plan your child’s learning and activities. Activities will be suited to your child’s unique ways. They will learn by playing and exploring, being active and through creative and critical thinking, which will take place indoors and outside.