Early Years Learning and Development

Children in the Early Years will learn skills, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development. 

There are three prime areas which are important for children to develop well in before anything else. Without a sound foundation in these three areas it will be very hard for children access other areas of learning. 

The three prime areas of learning are: 

• Communication and language 

• Personal, social and emotional development 

• Physical development

As children develop in the prime areas they will begin to  engage in learning linked to the four specific areas. 

The four specific areas of learning are:

• Literacy 

• Mathematics 

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

At first glance, it can appear that the children are ‘only playing’ in Nursery and Reception. However, the best early years education is based on the understanding that whilst children are playing and exploring the world around them, they are learning. 

During the day there will be a mixture of child-initiated and adult-led activities as well as whole class, small group and individual learning sessions. All learning takes place through play and exploration both within the classroom and the outdoor area. 

The teachers will use the children's interests to plan engaging learning  opportunities and activities around all of the areas of development, ensuring that the activities provided are suited to each child's unique needs. 

Staff will continuously monitor children's learning and development across all areas of learning, building up a holistic understanding of children's skills, next steps and areas of development. Successes and key wow moments in learning and development will be shared with parents, as well as any emerging needs or causes for concern.

Characteristics of Effective Learning

When we think of ‘teaching and learning’ we tend to think about being taught to read, write and understand mathematical strategies. But, it is easy to overlook that there are precise skills that are vital to develop and practice alongside more academic skills in order for it all to become embedded, practiced, and investigated. These are the ‘Characteristics’ and another way of looking at them is to call them the skills we need for life.

The Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning are divided into three sections. They’re all interconnected and overlap with one another. 

They are the three characteristics that drive our teaching and signpost to us that a child is learning:

Playing and exploring – Children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.

Active learning – Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements.

Creating and thinking critically – Children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.

All children demonstrate each of them at some time – provided they’re given the opportunities to do so.

Curriculum

Find out more information about our bespoke on our curriculum page.