Curriculum

At Jack and Jill our holistic curriculum is designed to give all children the best possible start that enables them to become independent, inquisitive and happy learners. In collaboration with parents as their primary educator, we intend to consistently provide high quality learning experiences for all children and ensure children have the skills needed for their future learning.

Our intent is to provide a safe, stimulating, inclusive environment with positive well qualified adult role models who provide high quality interactions. Our curriculum covers all seven areas of learning and recognises the unique needs of each individual. We recognise the crucial role of developing early language and a love of reading in children’s development. We also recognise the impact of the pandemic children’s development, in particular our youngest children. We aim to help redress the delays in speech and language and the regression in independence that some children may be experiencing. Buy recognising the unique interests of each individual and our inclusive approach to learning we nurture a sense of belonging and community.

The implementation of our curriculum is varied and multi-faceted. The characteristics of effective learning are embedded in a mixture of child and adult led play using the children’s individual interests as a starting point. Through high quality interactions we encourage in-depth learning and the development of executive function. This has taken on even more importance since the pandemic. Our curriculum supports the skills required for self regulation and by embedding the understanding of consent into our practice, children learn to respect themselves and others. Opportunities to follow creativity and imagination are provided through indoor and outdoor exploration. Using Development Matters we continue to monitor children’s development and ensure all necessary support is in place in order for them to become independent, inquisitive and happy learners.

Through the impact of our curriculum our learners will be well equipped for their next transition. They will have the foundations of a growth mindset and cultural capital which will enable them to become lifelong learners. We recognise that some of the consequences of the pandemic may take time to surface and as a result we will need to adapt in order to best meet the needs of our children. In order for this to happen we acknowledge that our curriculum is an evolving entity

Areas of Learning and Development

There are seven learning areas, 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas, from which we plan a structured and stimulating curriculum, so that children have access to a wide range of experiences, helping to prepare them for entry into primary school.

The Prime Learning areas are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication and Language
Physical Development

The Specific Learning areas are:

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported to develop:

A positive sense of themselves
A positive sense of others
Positive relationships and respect for others
Social skills
And learn how to manage their feelings
An understanding of appropriate behaviour in groups
Confidence in their own abilities

Communication and Language

In both large and small groups, children are encouraged to:

Develop their skills through opportunities to experience a rich language environment
Develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves
Speak and listen in a range of situations

Physical Development

Providing a wide range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out, allows children to develop and enjoy the use and development of their own bodily skills. Children are encouraged to:

Develop their co-ordination, control and movement
Fine motor skills and hand strengths to develop pre-writing skills
Develop an awareness of their own bodies and what keeps them healthy
Make healthy choices in relation to food

Literacy

Development involves encouraging children to:

Link sounds and letters
Access a wide range of reading materials
Access a wide range of mark making materials

Maths

Providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in:

Counting
Understanding and using numbers
Calculating simple addition and subtraction problems
Describing shapes, spaces and measures

Understanding the World

Guiding the children to make sense of their physical world and community through opportunities to:

Explore and observe
Find out about people, places, technology and the environment

Expressive Arts and Design

Enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials as well as providing opportunities and encouragement to:

Share their thoughts and ideas
Share their feelings

Through a variety of activities in:

Arts
Music
Movement
Dance
Role Play
Design and technology

Each area of learning and development is implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

Jack and Jill Pre-school acknowledge that play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.

At Jack and Jill Pre-school we respond to each child’s emerging needs and interests, guiding their development through warm, positive interaction. In planning and guiding children’s activities, we reflect on the different ways that children learn through the three characteristics of effective learning:

Playing and exploring
Active learning
Creating and thinking critically

Each child will be assigned a Key Carer when they start attending the Pre-school. The Key Carer will help ensure that the child’s learning and care is tailored to meet the individual needs, whilst supporting the parents/carers in guiding their child’s development at home.