Our curriculum
Child-led learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The EYFS at Paws
Our work is guided by the four themes of the EYFS framework, and our curriculum covers its seven areas of learning and development.
- A unique child
- Positive relationships
- Enabling environments
- Learning and development
We teach to Development Matters and the EYFS framework.
Seven areas of learning
Three core areas form the base of each child's learning. Once children are secure in those, they go on to grow in four specific areas.
Core areas
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communication and language
- Physical development
Specific areas
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Learning that follows children's interests
We explore ourselves, each other and our families, and we look at different cultures and places around the world throughout the year. Children investigate objects, resources and their properties through child-led play with adult-led guidance.
Each year we build topics around the children's own interests and curiosity, so the curriculum stays broad, diverse, balanced and stimulating.
How we plan and track progress
Planning in the moment
During independent learning we can act on new ideas as they appear, picking up on teachable moments and each child's next steps there and then. Continuous provision keeps resources at children's fingertips, and we add activities planned for individual children.
Assessment
Children learn through free-flow play with access to all the resources. Each child's key worker tracks their development using Tapestry, an online learning journal, along with their own knowledge of the child, then targets any area that needs extra support.
Additional needs
Paws has a SENCO, who works with parents, classroom staff and other agencies so that children with additional needs can make progress. Our "assess, plan, do, review" cycle makes sure every child moves forward at their own pace.
Parents in partnership
- Parents can use Tapestry to add observations from home, and see the photos and videos staff upload during the nursery week.
- We hold an annual Information Evening to introduce parents to the EYFS.
- Parents meet their child's key worker termly, and key workers write an end of year report.
- Parents can talk to staff at drop-off and pick-up, and a noticeboard at the door is updated daily with what the children have been doing.
Our curriculum in three parts
Intent
A safe place where children can experiment, explore and progress in their own creative ways. Each child leads their own learning, while we provide a stimulating environment and experienced staff. We want children to leave as active learners with the skills, knowledge and attitude for fulfilling lives.
Implementation
High quality teaching in a language-rich environment, based on each child's interests, with accessible resources and links to the world around them. We value, respect and care for every child.
Impact
Through continuous provision, staff interactions and key worker assessments, we expect every child to flourish to their own unique potential, and to leave us willing to pursue learning wherever they find it.