EYFS

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

Providers must 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 development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development’- EYFS, 2021

All children develop at different rates- this is why we celebrate the ‘unique child’. We recognise that children will not all have had the same experiences and exposure to rich language environments. Here at Little Workshop Day Nursery, we support children in many ways to develop communication and language development. We make the most out of reading books together and emphasise that they are not just for the book corner! We bring books to life by actively engaging children through, roleplay, songs, rhymes and using props and puppets. This can help children to have a better understanding and focus when they are actively engaged. Most importantly of all, it is about knowing our children well so we have the knowledge and are well equipped to support a natural speaking and listening environment.

Your child will develop a secure relationship with the key carer in which they can grow their confidence, self esteem and learn more about social situations and self-care. At Little Workshop Day Nursery, we actively promote British values which are so important as they help to prepare young people for life in modern Britain as they grow older and leave school. Another example of why British values is so important is that they are an important element of safeguarding, as they help to prevent extremism and radicalisation. We have a strong ethos of mutual respect and tolerance and this is promoted through all our policies and procedures.

We have a range of indoor and outdoor equipment and space to support children’s physical development on a daily basis. Here at Little Workshop Day Nursery, we believe in children having their freedom to lead their own play whether it is chosen to be indoors or outdoors. Staff have the knowledge to support children in health and bodily awareness and to encourage children in using a range of equipment and materials to promote fine motor skills development such as using one-handed tools when drawing, painting or fastenings on clothing.

The EYFS gives children access to a wide range of reading materials. Such as books, written materials, and poems to ignite their interest in literacy. The most important thing at Little Workshop Day Nursery when it comes to reading is making it FUN! The children will engage with stories using varied resources to support creativity and imagination which can lead to a life long love and passion for reading. Developing the children’s use of writing and mark making resources is encouraged from day one with early mark making up until when they can write their name independently and beyond! We make mark making and writing at nursery fun and inspiring!

Children learn about maths through play and their daily experiences and the more meaningful to them and hands on it is, the better. We provide a wide range of play opportunities that help children explore and experiment with counting, recognising shapes, calculating and measuring. These may be by helping with preparing the snack table. The focus can be on the number or size of bananas/breadsticks/apples, containers or utensils and also with the quantity of water/milk in the jugs and cups.

It is important for younger children to become familiar with what is around them, and understand the environment that they live in. We encourage children to explore this in a range of ways including talking about themselves and their family, the similarities and differences between people, places, technology and their environment

Technology covers the previous aspect of ‘ICT’. It helps children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools.

We provide a wide range of resources – including toys, books, puzzles and games – which involve mechanical movements and functions such as buttons, flaps, fastenings and toys or everyday objects which move or make a sound in different ways. We also engage those children who do not demonstrate a natural interest in the technological aspects of the resources they provide, by modelling what they can do and enthusiastically sharing their experiences with the children.

Expressive Arts and Design is used to develop a child’s imagination, creativity and their ability to use media and materials. Here at Little Workshop Day Nursery, children do this in a range of ways including singing songs and making music, dancing, playing with colours, textures and design. All these approaches help children to represent and understand their own feelings and ideas. Exploring and being imaginative is key to successful learning through play.