The Nursery Curriculum

At Daisy Chain Day Nursery we follow The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which is split as follows:

A Unique Child

Positive Relationships

Enabling Environments

Learning and Development

A Unique Child

Recognises that every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. The curriculum focuses on development, inclusion, safety and health and well-being.

Positive Relationships

Loving and secure relationships with parents and/or key persons encourage children to be strong and independent. The curriculum focuses on respect, partnerships with parents, supporting learning and the role of the key person.

Enabling Environments

The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. The curriculum focuses on observation, assessments and planning, support for every child, the learning environment, and in the wider context – transitions, continuity and multi agency working.

Learning and development

Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.  All areas of learning and development are considered equally important and inter-connected.

The nursery provides a rich and personalised experience that many parents give to their child at home, providing individual learning, development and care to give the best possible start in life. Children are supported to progress at their own pace.

 Learning and development is split into 6 areas:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication, language and literacy
• Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
• Physical Development
• Creative Development

None of these areas of learning can be delivered in isolation; they are equally important and depend on each other.  The areas are delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult led and child led activities

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children are provided with experiences and support which will help them to develop a positive sense of themselves and of others, respect for others, social skills and a positive disposition to learn. 

Communication, Language and Literacy

Children’s learning and competence in communication, speaking and listening, being read to and beginning to read and write is supported and extended. They are given opportunities and encouragement to use their skills in a range of situations and purposes, and are supported in developing the confidence and disposition to do so.

Problem solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Children are supported in developing their understanding of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practice and talk about their developing understanding. They are given opportunities to practice and talk about their skills in these areas and to gain confidence and competence in their use.

Physical Development

The physical development of babies and young children is encouraged through the provision of opportunities for them to be active and interactive and to improve their skills of coordination, control, manipulation and movement. They are supported in using all their senses to learn about the world around them and to make connection between new information and what they already know. They learn of the importance of physical activity and making healthy choices in relation to food.

Creative Development

Children’s creativity is extended by supporting their curiosity, exploration and play. They are provided with opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, for example, through a variety of art, music, movements, dance, imaginative and role play activities, mathematics, and design and technology.  This also lays a firm foundation for children's future learning.

Record of Achievement

Each child has his/her own Record of Achievement folder. This document includes examples of experiences; narrative observations of each child at play and short snap shot observations of achievements. Photographs of each child playing are also included. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to add to this record.