Gascoigne Nursery Curriculum  

Four Guiding Principles 

Our Nursery curriculum takes into account the four guiding principles of the 2021 Early Years Foundation Stage which state that: 

1. every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured  

2. children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships  

3. children learn and develop well in enabling environments with teaching and support from adults, who respond to their individual interests and needs and help them to build their learning over time. Children benefit from a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.  

4. importance of learning and development. Children develop and learn at different rates. (See “the characteristics of effective teaching and learning” at paragraph 1.15). The framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision, including children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Learning Through Play 

Well planned play, both indoors and outdoors, is the key way in which young children learn with enjoyment and challenge. 
Through play, with effective adult support, children can: 

• Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world. 

• Practice and build on ideas, concepts and skills 

• Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules 

• Be alone, alongside others or cooperate as they talk or rehearse their feelings 

• Take risks and make mistakes 

• Think creatively and imaginatively 

• Communicate with others as they investigate or solve problems 

The learning opportunities within the nursery aim to reflect that it is every child’s right to grow up safe; healthy; enjoying and achieving; making a positive contribution; and with economic well-being and improve outcomes. 

Seven Areas of Learning and Development 

We have 7 curriculum areas which are all linked together:- 
3 Prime Areas  

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development 

• Physical Development 

• Communication and Language 

4 Specific Areas  

• Literacy  

• Mathematics 

• Understanding of the World  

• Expressive Arts and Design 

It is important for children to develop at their pace and have time to explore their interests. Our staff are skilled at observing children so that they can develop their learning in an effective way. They know how to use language to help children develop their thinking. 

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Successful personal, social and emotional development is crucial for children in all aspects of their life. It will give them the greatest opportunities for success in all other areas of learning.  

We aim to provide the experiences and support to enable children to develop a positive sense of self. 
Children will learn to respect themselves and others, learn about developing relationships, develop a positive attitude to learning and problem solving. 

Physical Development 

Physical development in the Early Years Foundation Stage is about improving skills of coordination, control, manipulation, and movement.  

Physical development helps children gain confidence in what they can do. It also enables them to feel the benefits of being healthy and active. 

Communication and Language 

All aspects of speaking and listening are planned for in all areas of the curriculum, and the children will be supported to become confident communicators.   

Opportunities are provided to support their developing vocabulary, as they learn to communicate with others in the nursery, ask questions, comment on activities and recall experiences. 

Literacy 

Children enjoy sharing books, story telling,mark making  and  playing with letters and sounds in a lively and stimulating way. Reading and writing will be experienced in all areas of the curriculum. 

The children explore writing for a wide range of purposes e.g., making lists, writing books, making labels and captions and recording comments about their own models and pictures 

Mathematics 

This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking pattern, working with numbers, shapes, space and measure. 

Mathematical understanding will be developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play so that children enjoy using and experimenting with numbers. 

Understanding the World 

In this area of learning, the children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. 

This forms the foundation for later work in science, design and technology, history, geography and information and communication technology  

Expressive Arts and Design 

Imagination and expressiveness are fundamental to successful learning. 

Being imaginative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. 

This area of learning includes art and crafts, music, dance, and role-play. 

Characteristics of Effective Learning

Active learning  and motivation 

• Being involved and concentrating 

• Keeping trying 

• Enjoying and achieving what they set out to do 

Creating and thinking critically 

• Having their own ideas 

• Making links 

• Choosing ways to do things 

Playing and Exploring

• Finding out and exploring

• Playing with what they know

• Being willing to have a go

What is it like to attend Gascoigne Nursery?

The setting is considered as a strong provision where children flourish as they attend this extremely stimulating and nurturing Nursery. They arrive exceptionally happy and eager to play and learn. Enthusiastic staff know children exceedingly well and always helps them to feel welcome and safe and provide the best possible start in life though education and care provided. Children at Gascoigne Nursery form positive and secure relationships with adults and their peers. Children behave extremely well and are respectful towards one another and thrive. The staff are excellent role models of expected behaviour. Leaders and staff have exceptionally high expectations for all children. They develop their ambitious and broad curriculum based on children's interests and learning needs. At Gascoigne Nursery children are in control of their learning as skilful and responsive staff follow their lead during activities. This helps all children to make outstanding progress in relation to their starting points. This includes children with special educational needs and or/disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.  Staff have an excellent understanding of what they intend children to learn. Staff at Gascoigne nursery demonstrate an extremely high quality of teaching. They implement the curriculum incredibly well and skilfully sequence children's learning. They know children remarkably well and successfully meet their individual needs. This supports children to achieve their next steps and, in some cases, to exceed all expectations. The nursery staff are experts in their use and modelling of language. They create opportunities for children to use new language throughout all activities. For example, children sing songs and listen to stories in their home language. They spontaneously use their extended vocabulary in practical situations. Staff interactions with children are excellent and they continuously build on what children already know. This ensures that all children become exceptionally confident talkers. Children show a strong interest in books. For instance, children select their favourite books and immerse themselves in independent reading. Staff choose books wisely to enhance children's knowledge and understanding of matters, such as diversity and inclusion. 
 
At Gascoigne Nursery children learn to use language associated with feelings and are kind to each other. Staff support children's mathematics skills superbly. Children sustain high levels of concentration and are deeply engaged in their learning. For example, younger children count their body parts during their play. Older children use beads and other resources to do calculations, such as addition and multiplication.  

Staff use the outdoor area exceedingly well to enhance children's learning and development. Children explore natural elements and confidently use outdoor equipment, such as tricycles. Children participate in vigorous physical activities, actively taking part in using the various climbing equipment. This helps children to strengthen their core muscles and ability to use a variety of sport equipment safely.  

Children are extremely curious and motivated to try new things. They show exceptionally positive attitudes to learning. Children are highly independent and helpful. For instance, they put their coats on for outdoor play. Children help with small tasks, such as tiding up after snack time. This helps them gain a deep sense of responsibility and develop their skills, in readiness for school.  

Staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and receive ample training and tailored support to fulfil their roles. They feel valued and show huge dedication to their work. Gascoigne Nursery Parents are extremely complimentary about the setting. They are delighted with the progress their children make. Parents feel superbly supported and informed about their children's learning. This has a significant impact on children's learning. The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. All staff have an extensive knowledge of child protection polices and procedures. Staff are extremely vigilant and are able to notice even subtle changes to a child's behaviour. Safety is given the highest priority. Staff teach children to identify hazards and how to stay safe. For example, children immediately clean the floor if they spill liquid.

 

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