Curriculum

We follow the Early Years Foundation stage profile with the Montessori methods of learning.

EYFS CURRICULUM, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Planning educational activities which cover all the seven areas of EYFS learning (below), teachers build up a profile of your child’s development from baselines and use observations and assessments through the year. We work in parental partnership to give your child the best opportunities to excel in their learning and development.

The Early Years Foundation stage is based around 4 themes, each theme is linked to important principles which are supported by 7 areas of learning. These seven areas cover learning goals and educational programmes which are split into 3 prime areas.

• Personal, social and Emotional
• Physical development
• Communication and Language

4 specific areas:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

Children’s health is a vital part of their development, through our provision children also learn about healthy eating, hygiene procedures, e.g. by washing hands, cleaning teeth after meals and exercise through indoor and outdoor activities.

Montessori Learning

The Montessori approach is designed to support the natural development in children in a well prepared environment. They have important principles:

• Respect for the child
• The absorbent mind
• Sensitive periods
• The prepared environment
• Autoeducation

Respect is shown for children by helping them to learn and do things for themselves. When children have choices they are able to develop skills and abilities for effective learning autonomy and they develop positive self-esteem. Freedom is the essential characteristic of the prepared environment and at Little Pearls; children are free to explore materials of their own choice which enables them to be independent, active and keen learners. With this self-directed and challenging learning, children are supported through numeracy and literacy with specific Montessori materials making way for a smooth transition to school.

Science

What is science about? It’s about observational skills, describing what children see, then asking questions, making predictions and problem solving.

We do this by:

• Investigating objects and materials by children using their senses.
• Finding about and identifying living things, objects and events like the weather children observe.
• Look closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.
• Ask questions about why things happen and why they work. There are so many activities that we do every day that require these skills, from art to sand and water play. To cookery and others which are more science based such as planting!

EYFS LEARNING JOURNEYS AND REPORTS

At Little Pearls we provide an EYFS Learning Journey with ongoing observations and assessments which celebrate your child’s achievements and interests in our setting. Through parent-teacher meetings we guide you through this ‘Learning Journey’ file as well as your child’s development records. We provide EYFS reports each term.

Scrap Books

A scrapbook is provided with your child’s creative work which also connects to the EYFS learning and progress of your child. When your child leaves and goes onto school, the Learning Journey is a treasured keepsake of happy memories at Little Pearls Nursery.

Arabic and Islamic Studies for little people

In short sessions in the day our children begin to learn Arabic language, prayers and values through circle time, creative activities, songs and our interactive board.