Curriculum
Our curriculum and teaching approach have been carefully researched and devised with the aim of giving every child the best possible start.
In addition to ensuring that we are complying with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, we have tailored both what we teach (our curriculum) and how we teach it (our approach, or pedagogy) according to the most effective practice and the latest research.
What is the EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets the standards that all early years providers in England must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It specifies requirements for learning and development across seven areas which must shape activities and experiences (educational programmes) for children in all early years settings.
The EYFS Areas of Learning are:
- Communication & Language (CL)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
- Physical Development (PD)
- Literacy (L)
- Mathematics (M)
- Understanding the World (UW)
- Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
What your child will learn at Kidz 1st
Our aim is for all children to be confident and enthusiastic learners, equipped with the key skills and motivation to navigate their later lives and learning. With that in mind, our curriculum centres on four pillars:
- My Community (PSED, UW) helps children to build relationships with and care for the people and the physical world around them, including the animals and the global environment.
- Social Skills
- Environmentalism
- The Local, Global & Virtual Community
- Identity & Diversity
- My Discoveries (M, UW) provides scope for children’s curiosity through an exploration in maths, cooking, the natural processes, and technology.
- Maths
- Cooking
- Technology
- The Physical World
- My Mind & Body (PSED, PD) focuses on children’s physical, emotional and mental health and wellbeing.
- Self-Care
- Physical Skills
- Executive Function
- My Voice (CL, L, EAD) builds children’s expressive and receptive abilities in the areas of communication, literacy, and the arts.
- Art & Design
- Music, Dance & Drama/ Performing Arts
- Language & Communication
- Literacy
Our Approach
Our approach to early childhood education is founded on four principles:
Quality Interaction – Our Educators build sensitive connections with the children, so every interaction is an opportunity for care and learning.
Child-Centred Practice – The children are at the heart of everything we do. Each child’s learning journey is as individual as they are, is based on their interests and abilities, and is tailored by their key Educator so they get the most out of every session.
Play-Based Learning – For nursery-aged children, play is learning and learning is play! Key learning objectives are planted deep within every activity set, every resource used and every question posed, and our skilled Educators use their expertise to help children master them in a fun and engaging way.
Responsibly Integrated Technology – Our children are growing up in a tech-saturated world. They will need to learn how to use them responsibly, and we do this through modelling. Technology is incorporated seamlessly into the setting, so the children learn not just how to use it, but also how to be safe when doing so.