Our Curriculum – Helping Every Child Flourish

At St Barnabas Preschool, we believe the early years should be filled with wonder, discovery, laughter and a genuine love of learning. Our curriculum has been carefully designed to give every child the strongest possible foundations while ensuring that their preschool years remain exactly what they should be – happy, exciting and full of play.

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), but our curriculum goes beyond simply covering the seven areas of learning. We create rich, meaningful experiences that help children develop the confidence, communication skills, independence, curiosity and resilience they will carry with them long after they leave us.

🐛 From Caterpillars to Butterflies 🦋

One of the strengths of our curriculum is the clear journey children make through St Barnabas.

In Caterpillar Class (2–3 years), we concentrate on those all-important early foundations – secure relationships, communication, physical development, sensory exploration, confidence and beginning independence.

As children progress into Butterfly Class (3–4 years), we build carefully on those foundations. Children are encouraged to ask more questions, investigate their ideas, solve problems, develop friendships, communicate with increasing confidence and take greater responsibility for themselves and their learning.

This means that children aren't simply completing different activities each year. Their learning genuinely grows with them.

🌟 Learning that children want to be part of

Each half term brings a new and exciting theme, with opportunities for stories, songs, sensory play, creativity, investigation, role play, outdoor learning and real-life experiences.

However, our curriculum is never so rigid that we miss the magic happening in front of us.

If the children discover a snail in the garden, become fascinated by a building site they can see, arrive excited about something that has happened at home or suddenly develop an interest in dinosaurs, space or superheroes, we use those moments as opportunities for learning too.

Our practitioners know that some of the very best learning happens when it begins with a child's own curiosity.

💛 We know every child is different

There is no "one size fits all" approach at St Barnabas.

Our experienced practitioners get to know children as individuals – what makes them laugh, what captures their attention, what they are confident doing and where they might need a little extra encouragement or support.

We observe children naturally as they play rather than constantly testing them or working through tick lists. This allows us to understand what children can genuinely do and decide how we can help them take their next steps.

Our curriculum is inclusive and adaptable, enabling children with different starting points, experiences, languages and additional needs to participate, achieve and feel successful.

🌱 Building skills for life – not just for school

Of course, we want children to be well prepared for Reception, but being "school ready" is about much more than knowing numbers or writing letters.

We want a child leaving St Barnabas to be able to think:

"I can have a go."
"I can ask for help."
"I have ideas."
"I can make friends."
"I can do things for myself."
"I am excited to learn."

Throughout their time with us, children gradually develop the communication, independence, emotional confidence, physical skills and positive attitudes to learning that will help make the transition to school a happy one.

🦋 Ready to spread their wings

By the time our Butterflies leave us for Reception, we want them to look back on preschool as a place where they were known, valued, encouraged and excited to learn.

Our goal isn't to rush childhood or turn preschool into school.

It is to give children strong roots, growing confidence and the freedom to spread their wings.

Because at St Barnabas, we don't just prepare children for their next classroom – we help them develop a lifelong love of learning.

How Our Curriculum Progresses

Children don't simply move from one topic to the next – their learning grows with them.

A two-year-old exploring autumn might touch, collect, fill, empty, name and sort leaves.

As their knowledge and skills develop, an older child might compare leaves, describe changes, count and classify them, represent what they have observed and ask questions about why leaves fall from trees.

The experience may be connected, but the depth of learning, vocabulary, independence and challenge progresses with the child.

Our progression documents help staff understand what development may look like over time and ensure that children's experiences build upon previous learning.

Importantly, these are not tick lists. Children develop in different ways and at different rates. Staff use observations, conversations with families, knowledge of the child and their professional judgement to decide what support, experience or challenge would be most valuable next.

How We Know Children Are Learning

Assessment at St Barnabas happens mainly through knowing our children well.

Staff observe children as they play, talk, investigate, create and interact with others. We consider what children can do independently, what they are beginning to understand and where they may benefit from further experience or support.

We use this information to help us adapt our provision, plan meaningful next steps and identify children who may require additional support or challenge.

Our aim is not to rush children towards the next stage. We want them to develop secure foundations that they can build upon.