At Little Explorers Nursery and Preschool the children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. The children are constantly encountering new experiences and seeking to understand them in order to extend their skills, develop their confidence and build on what they already know. The foundation stage is continued in reception classes in primary school. The foundation stage is based on seven areas of learning.

Three Primary Developmental Areas

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This area of learning is about emotional well-being, knowing who you are and where you fit in and how to feel good about yourself. It is also about developing respect for others, social competence and a positive attitude to learn.

Communication and Language

The ability to communicate gives children the capacity to participate more fully in society. We will help your child to learn to talk confidently and clearly, enjoying stories, songs and rhymes. They will learn to link sounds with letters, develop writing skills, and become familiar with books.

Physical Development

The children will learn to improve skills in co-ordination, manipulation and movement, develop a positive sense of well- being and begin to recognise the importance of keeping healthy. They will have access to enjoy opportunities outdoor play in our fantastic garden area and we will also have frequent access to equipment to enhance their gross motor skills indoors.

Children who attend get the chance to play and learn alongside other children and acquire skills, which will give them a head start at school. Our nursery is filled wall to wall with toys, art equipment, stimulating posters and signs, and we even have a a little fun with ICT on the nursery iPad.

As they acquire skills they are taking part in fun, challenging activities – keeping them stimulated with a desire to learn. We like to plan and take the children on an adventure every day, whatever the child's abilities or skills. With our wealth of resources and fantastic practitioners your child will be guaranteed a fun packed day!

Four Specific Areas

Literacy

The children will learn to link sounds with letters, develop writing skills, and become familiar with books and text.

Mathematics

Your child will develop an understanding of mathematics through counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns and making connections. We will encourage learning about numbers, shapes, space, and measures through games and activities.

Understanding the World

Children in this area of learning are developing skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world around them. This forms the foundation for later work in science, history and geography. They will find out about past events in their own lives and those of their family. They will also find out about different cultures and beliefs.

Expressive Arts and Design

Children will be encouraged to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings, imaginatively using a wide variety of different materials and equipment including sand, water, paint and music.