There are seven areas of learning and development that shape our educational programme at Little Chepstow Nursery. All areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected. There are three prime areas and four specific areas.
Communication and Language: (Prime) This focuses on giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations. We help children become effective communicators and with the ability to use language to problem solve, discuss and to build relationships with others.
Physical Development: (Prime) split in gross and fine motor, this involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive, and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. They are also helped to understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food and exercise.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development: (Prime) involves helping young children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups, and to have confidence in their own abilities.
Literacy: involves beginning to use phonic knowledge to decode words; to demonstrate an interest and recognition of the written word, and to begin to form letter and engage in pre-writing and mark making skills.
Mathematics: involves quantity counting, ordering numbers, sorting and recognition of numbers. Encouraging problem solving, learning about space, shape and measure, this is done in a wide variety of ways but also using NUMICON.
Understanding the World: involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about themselves primarily, then their families, other people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design: involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
“Through a base of security, we help the children become independent and effective communicators and also to develop good relationships with others.”
Gill Whiteside, Head of Little Chepstow