Our Curriculum   

Maples Nursery School and Children’s Centre aims to provide high quality care and education for all children. We know that every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential.

In order for children to succeed and reach their potential, all aspects of their development must be given attention. We pay attention to children's physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, as well as cognitive aspects of learning. At Maples children learn holistically, and meaningful learning happens through play and exploration. Staff are constantly observing and listening to children’s interests, following an observation-evaluation-planning process. These observations are then used to:

i) plan stimulating indoor and outdoor activities, which allow children to explore, experiment and follow their interests and

ii) create reflective displays of children’s work and language, using ‘characteristics of effective learning’.

In planning and guiding what children learn, staff aim to reflect on the different rates at which children are developing and adjust their teaching and planning appropriately. The three characteristics of effective teaching and learning we focus on are:

• 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.

At Maples Nursery School and Children’s Centre we follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Alongside the statutory framework, we have adopted Birth to Five Matters, a pedagogical tool, which helps staff to interpret children’s development, learning and progress.

Maples’ philosophy and pedagogical frameworks are guided by specific principles and the 7 areas of learning focusing on communication and language that underpins all 7 areas:

Principles:  

Unique Child: Every child is a unique child who is constantly learning.

Positive Relationships: Provide children a sense of belonging. Making them strong and independent through positive relationships.

Enabling Environment: Children’s learning and development are enhanced through stimulating learning areas, meaningful teaching and supportive adults.

Learning and Development: Staff recognise that children learn and develop at different rates and aim to foster the characteristics of effective learning.

Inclusive Practice: Responding to and reflecting on the needs of all children.

If you would like any further information, please follow the links below or speak to our headteacher or your child's keyworker. 

We follow the Statutory Framework Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which has three prime areas for learning and four specific areas.

Prime areas: 

• Communication and Language
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific areas:

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