Curriculum - Learning Through Play

The most important part of early education is allowing children to learn through play.

What does that mean?

Allowing children the freedom to explore, formulate questions and answers in their mind, build on their interests, try things out, test out their own theories and assess risk in their play, in order to become effective learners, who are excited about the world around them and intrigued in all they do.

The role of the adult is to:

• Support exploration
• Follow the children’s lead, interests and areas of fascination
• Encourage them to have a go, build on what they already know and discover new opportunities and possibilities
• Make sure we keep the children safe, whilst allowing them the space to take considered risks
• Encourage and relish in messy play, letting them explore different textures, using all of their senses to experience it

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS)

The key to children’s learning is having active play experiences, with adults who play alongside and support what they are doing.

The curriculum highlights the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning.’ These are:

• Playing and exploring
• Active learning
• Creativity and Critical Thinking

We support children with the Characteristics of Effective Learning, by providing quality and exciting play opportunities, that enable the children to explore, question, have a go and find their own solutions.

There are seven areas of learning and development in the Early Years Curriculum:

Three Prime Areas, which are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development

Four Specific Areas, which are:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding The World
• Expressive Arts and Design

In Cleator Moor Nursery School, our weekly planning ensures that all areas of learning and development are included in our activities and that children participate in play opportunities, which will interest, challenge and develop their skills and knowledge. 

Our curriculum is ambitious, broad and balanced. Through sequenced planning, we help children build their learning over time. Young children's learning is driven by their interests, therefore our planning needs to be flexible. Language development is central to children making progress across all areas of learning. 

Self regulation skills are the mental processes which enable us to plan, focus attention, remember instructions and complete multiple tasks successfully. We will provide activities which help children with their growing ability to self-regulate. These activities will...

• focus children's thinking
• help children monitor what they are doing and adapt accordingly
• support children to regulate strong feelings and understand them
• encourage children to be patient for what they want
• instill a sense of perseverence and the desire to keep trying

Topic newsletters are sent home regularly and can be found on the newsletters page of our website. Weekly plans can be viewed in the cloakrooms. If you would like any further information about our curriculum, please speak to a member of staff or contact the school office.