Curriculum
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (aka the EYFS) which is a statutory framework, covering learning and development from the day your child is born until the end of their first year at school. Leapfrog Day Nursery provides all children with a firm foundation on which to build future academic, social and emotional success. We do this by ensuring the Early Years Foundation Stage themes are embedded in all aspects of what we do. The four guiding principles are as follows:
UNIQUE CHILD
Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS
Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers; and
Seven areas of learning and development
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected.
Communication and language development
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
Personal, social and emotional development
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
Mathematics
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 measure
Expressive arts and design
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
Physical development
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 activity6, and to make healthy choices in relation to food
Literacy
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
Understanding the world
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
