There are three Prime areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum - Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development. These are fundamental to learning and support of all other areas:- Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design, Literacy and Mathematics. These are specific areas of learning and provide children with the skills and knowledge to participate successfully in society. To read more about these learning goals please click on the links below. At Wellesley we focus on creating happy and settled children by introducing them to school life gradually in Term 1. We embark on a play-based curriculum using a mixture of child-initiated and adult-led learning opportunities. This is always done so by focusing on the interests and needs of the children. Once we are confident that the children are engaged in independent learning, we start to introduce more formally taught content including Phonics, Mathematics, Reading and Writing. Many aspects of the curriculum are taught discretely through play, though adult-led ‘group times’ are also provided to allow quality first teaching direct to their individual needs.
The classroom environment is designed to allow children to independently select their own resources during both adult-led and child-initiated learning. We ensure the children have extended periods of ‘Explore Time’ where they are able to follow their own interests and develop key skills essential for a well-rounded learner. This is enabled by well-planned and resourced provision. During these times, staff make detailed and individualised observations of learning whilst also continually enhancing the provision to further the children’s opportunities.
At the end of our school day we reflect upon the learning that has taken place and celebrate our successes. We also focus on how we could expand our ‘growth mind-set’ by discussing what we could do ‘even better’. The children love congratulating each other on their achievements and work together to become happy and life-long learners.