Learning
At Southmead Children’s Centre we aim to support all children:
To be happy, confident, motivated, independent, aspirational and who love to learn.
To have a positive self-image and high self-esteem.
To form and maintain positive relationships, to work collaboratively and be valued members of the community
To take responsibility for themselves, each other and their environment
To question, challenge and solve problems creatively
To know their strengths and to have the confidence to take risks
To know their ideas will be heard and respected and that they can make a difference
To be inquisitive explorers, investigators, researching and making sense of their world.
We use the Early Years Foundation Stage which sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.
The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework supports an integrated approach to early learning and care. It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences to all children.
Overarching Principles
There are four guiding principles that should shape practice in early years:
Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable and self-assured
Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships
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
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 those with special educational needs and disabilities.
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. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.
These three prime areas are:
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Early Years Settings must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied
The specific areas are:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design