Learning Journey | Curriculum | Little Stories
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Learning at Little Stories
Little Stories is continuously looking for innovative ways to improve our curriculum in order to encourage development and increase engagement. Recently, further guidance called Birth to Five Matters was released which is based on practitioner-led guidance. Therefore moving forward, In addition to Development Matters, we will use Birth to Five as a tool in the nursery. Furthermore, the EYFS framework has altered as of September 1, 2021, to place a greater emphasis on how to enhance outcomes at the age of five. Read More.
The changes to the EYFS allow us at Little Stories to spend less time on paperwork and documentation and more time with the children to improve their development in the main areas focused under EYFS 21, which are physical development, literacy, with a stronger emphasis on pre-reception literacy with linking language to understanding to reading and writing. Mathematics will have a greater emphasis on shapes and spatial thinking, with the goal of encouraging math from a young age in a pleasant and engaging way. Furthermore, a greater focus will be placed on comprehending the world and developing creative abilities via art and design. We know that every child is different, and that using tools like CoEl (characteristics of effecting learning) that allows children to play and explore new experiences while also thinking critically and developing their own ideas and strategies for overcoming obstacles through active learning to improve focus and concentration.
So, how does this impact children’s development and the delivery of education at Little Stories? We’ll continue to concentrate on short and medium-term curriculum preparation, but with less paperwork, which means we’ll have more time to get to know the children on a more personal level and better comprehend and appreciate their passions and interests. This hands-on time helps promotes a healthier presence of being in the moment and adjust the curriculum to promote children’s participation.
What is EYFS?
The Early Years Foundation Stage ( EYFS ) establishes guidelines for your child’s learning, development, and care from birth to age five. The EYFS must be followed by all schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers, including childminders, preschools, nurseries, and school reception classrooms. Read More
Understanding COEL
The focus on how children learn has enormous potential to revolutionise early childhood education and enable children to become confident, creative lifelong learners. These qualities, according to research, can be aided or impeded by the experiences that children have. Read More
Development Matters & Birth to Five
Development Matters and Birth to Five are both non-statutory guidance written by the government and practitioners respectively. You can read more on both methods here. Here at Little Stories will be using a hybrid of the two. Development matters and birth to five.
Sensory Development
Little Stories’ sensory room provides children with an environment to improve their visual and aural skills. It’s critical to properly set up a sensory environment since some colours, sounds, and sights might have the opposite effect. Bright colours and loud noises stimulate the senses, but they can also cause hypersensitivity and overstimulation. We have designed our sensory space with soft lighting, sounds, and textures to stimulate certain areas of the brain, using things such as water and bubbles, and soft furnishings to give mild visual stimulation.
The Great Outdoors
The environment is essential and it must provide a sense of safety and security. In addition to providing a stable emotional environment, the indoor and outdoor setting emphasises how a child will develop and learn. Our outdoor areas are designed to encourage children to study and explore while using their imaginations. In addition to general play, we utilise the space to learn about nature, the elements, insects, and the weather. A rainy day at Little Robins offers a chance for ‘in-the-moment’ learning, allowing children to examine and grasp different weather situations. No matter what time of year it is, Insect Motel has something to teach you about weather and insects.