Curriculum - Hamble Village Playschool

As an Early Years provider, Hamble Village Playschool has a legal responsibility to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe, in line with the standards as set out in the EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE (EYFS).

Children are provided with experiences and support which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others; respect for others; social skills and a positive disposition to learn.

There are 7 areas of learning and development within the Early Years. These areas are divided into Prime and Specific areas.

The 3 Prime areas consist of:

Communication and Language development involves 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.

Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking, listening and responding to stories, songs and rhymes in both small and large groups.

Physical Development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activitiy and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

A range of equipment and opportunities allows children to develop confidence and enjoyment in the use and development of their body skills.
A high level of adult supervision enables children to safely create and meet physical challenges, develop increasing skill and control in moving climbing and balance.
Children are supported in the development of the fine motor skills required to use tools including pens and pencils, and to handle small objects with increasing control and precision.
During snack and lunch time staff engage children in conversation about various foods and which are healthy.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development involves helping 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.

Children are supported individually in developing confidence, autonomy and self respect within a nurturing environment.
Children are encouraged to work and concentrate inependently and also to take part in the life of the group, sharing and co-operating with other children and adults. Through activity, conversation and practical example they learn acceptable ways to express their feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others.
All children are given the opportunity to take responsibility for themselves and also for the group, its members and property.

The 4 Specific areas comprise of:

Literacy development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry meaning, to be aware of the purpose of writing and, when ready, to use drawn and written symbols for themselves.
A well stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, the ability to handle them correctly and to be aware of their uses, both for reference and as a source of stories and pictures.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.

By means of adult-supported practical experience, children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities, which form the basis of early mathematics.
As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted in learning to use the vocabularly of mathematics and identify objects by shape, position, size, volume and number.
Songs, games and picture books help children become aware of number sequences and when they are ready, to use simple mathematical operations such as adding and subtraction.

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 people, places, technology and the environment.

A safe, stimulating environment allows children to explore and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. children learn to observe the features of objects and substances, recognise differences and similarities, and to share their findings.
Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and the wider community.
A range of safe and well-maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques, as appropriate, to achieve their intentions and solve problems.

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.

Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings and to construct their individual response to experience in two and three dimensions.
Art equipment, including glue, crayons, pencils as well as natural and recycled resources, provides for open ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage.
Children join in and respond to music and stories; there are also many opportunities for imaginative role-play, both individually and as part of a group.

At Hamble Village Pre-school, our aim is to provide a safe, happy, varied and stimulating environment. We offer your child the opportunity to learn and explore using a wide range of activities and equipment covering all areas of the curriculum, providing the best possible foundations for their future.