In 2021 the Department for Education published a new Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. This framework states the government’s expectation for teaching and learning, and sets out what they expect children to be able to achieve by the end of Reception. It covers the age ranges from 0-5 years of age. As a nursery school we work to this framework, and have set out curriculum goals for the children at Greenfield Nursery School.

Our curriculum goals are holistic and cover multiple areas of learning including as well as teaching and learning based on children’s interests, a range of core experiences. We have 9 key goals that we aim for children to achieve by the time they leave us to start Reception. They are:

1. I can give meanings to my marks as I write, draw and paint
2. I enjoy books and know some core stories really well
3. I can ride a balance bike
4. I can make a model
5. I can follow a recipe to make a bread roll
6. I can dress myself independently
7. I can talk about my day in a group
8. I can play independently and with others (NEW FOR 2024)
9. I can play a board game and recognise numbers on a die (NEW FOR 2024)

Curriculum Goals 2024

Most of the curriculum planning will take place from child led learning and building on children’s strengths; interests and learning needs. Our curriculum has to be flexible to meet the needs and fascinations of our children as children learn a huge amount through the play they choose.

However, we also believe that children benefit from developmentally appropriate adult guided learning. This is where our curriculum goals for our children fit in. Class teachers will plan for learning opportunities to support the development of our curricular goals. We will also provide adult guided group sessions that are developmentally appropriate. These will be planned and focused on:

1. Phonics Phase 1
2. Core books
3. Singing and rhymes
4. Opportunities to listen, talk and take turns and talk about their day
5. Learn new and revisit mathematical concepts

Our curricular goals are adaptable to the children on roll. We are aware that all children will have different starting points and will work through our curriculum at different pace. Where children move on quickly, we focus on deepening understanding rather than introducing new skills or concepts.

Some children may be identified as needing a small amount of additional support in developing skills to  access the curriculum (e.g Listening and attention, speaking). Adaptations may be made. For example, pre-teaching of core books may take place during the session, 1:1, additional group teaching. This is quality first teaching. Children’s progress towards curriculum goals will be discussed at weekly children’s meetings and shared with parents during their Spotlight. Where children are making little or no progress, the SENCo/ SLT will be informed and additional support made available as set out in our SEND Policy.

Supporting and developing high levels of Wellbeing and Involvement is pivotal to our curriculum as this encourages ‘deep level learning’ (Laevers et. al ). This is linked to our curriculum goal ‘I can play independently and with others’. Although, the whole curriculum itself is providing opportunity to develop these skills (concentration; energy; creativity; persistence; satisfaction; flexibility; self-confidence and self-esteem; assertiveness; enjoyment; vitality)

Our goals link to “Development Matters”  and “Birth to 5 matters” and OP@L. We have provided reflection points which are points where we, as Early Years Professionals reflect and make assessments.