Early Years Curriculum

Little Griffins Nursery provides children with the best start to their education adventure with an inspiring, relevant Early Years curriculum, subject-specialist teachers and amazing opportunities to grow and shine.

• We inspire children to discover the confidence to make choices about their learning, what they do in the classroom and how they approach activities.
• We strive to allow them to be creative, critical thinkers who can learn independently.
• We acknowledge each child as an individual and our unique approach to their education means that no two learning journeys are the same. Children feel recognised for their accomplishments and develop a deep level of learning.

Inquiry-based learning

Each half-term the whole school begins a new ‘Theme of Investigation’. These overarching themes cover important and relevant concepts and in Nursery are used as a starting point. Our experienced teachers tailor learning to the children’s ages, developmental needs and interests within these themes. They weave in core skills that they wish the children to develop and provide an immersive curriculum. This ensures continuous development in all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

For two-year-olds we place a strong emphasis on the Prime Areas: Communication and Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Physical Development. These key areas form the foundation for each child’s growth, helping them build essential skills to thrive as they progress through our school.

Click here to read more about what a week in our Nursery looks like.

Children thrive on a consistent daily rhythm and each day is structured to provide a balance of routine and freedom to make choices about their learning. Take a look at our example weekly timetable below.

• Mornings begin with gathering time, greetings and singing fun songs, such as learning the days of the week.
• Children are shown a visual timetable so they know what to expect for the day.
• Story time linked to the current curriculum theme introduces them to the day’s activities.
• Our experienced EYFS staff support children as they engage in continuous provision, guiding and scaffolding their learning.
• After lunch, children who nap have time to rest while those who don’t enjoy some outdoor play.
• Throughout the day children explore activities in our indoor learning spaces and outdoor classroom, ensuring a rich and varied experience.

Early Years facilities

Classrooms

Each space in our Little Griffins Nursery is purposefully set with different areas to explore, such as block play, imaginative play, small world play and creative play. Through open-ended resources we provide an abundance of opportunities for children to guide their own learning and make independent choices. The children build their social and emotional skills and continuously develop their language through lots of cooperative play.

Outdoor learning area

The learning continues outdoors in our brilliant Early Years Outdoor Classroom, allowing children the chance to explore and develop their confidence, from navigating the climbing wall, to getting creative in the mud kitchen or tending to the herb garden.

Forest learning

Every term the children take a trip to Pangbourne Woods, where they spend the morning learning through nature. They might embark on a listening walk, get busy building dens and climbing trees, or create transient art using the materials they find. And if it rains? Then there is nothing better than pulling on some wellies and jumping in puddles!

Specialist teachers

Our Little Griffins are fortunate to have lessons from our specialist teachers in Music, Drama and PE. These lessons are carried out in an age-appropriate way, full of games and interaction which encourage the development of skills in the performing arts and sports.

Our staff are experts at understanding where each child is in their developmental journey and what they need for the next steps in their learning. The Nursery Teacher and Early Years Lead plan daily Small Group times which progress with the children’s development. They might start the year with songs and rhymes, simple counting and turn-taking games as well as Phase 1 phonics which focus on listening skills.

When the children are ready, they begin our phonics programme (usually the term before moving to Reception), focusing on exploring, understanding and developing practical skills with sounds and letters.

Find out more

Discover how our thriving Little Griffins class will help your child make the best possible start to their education. Book a personal tour of our lovely Nursery or chat to our friendly Registrar, Jordan Ruddick: registrar@stedwardsprep.com