Curriculum
We believe that children learn when they feel safe, happy, and secure and activities are fun and relevant. We have a highly experienced and qualified team of staff who provide a supportive and nurturing environment which facilitates children to reach their potential in all the areas of learning.
We operate within the framework of The Early Years Foundation Stage; however, we enrich this with a blend of other educational philosophies, that are reflected in our activities.
The Early Years Foundation Stage is a statutory framework for early years education. It sets out the standards that schools and childcare providers must meet for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5.
There are four principles that underpin the EYFS:
A Unique Child
Every child is unique, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. At Hedgehog House Nursery we provide an inclusive practice where we recognise that each child is unique and we celebrate our differences, no child or family are discriminated against.
We celebrate with different cultural days and celebrations.
Positive Relationships
Children learn to be strong and independent through secure and positive relationships. At Hedgehog House Nursery we believe that environments are not just physical spaces but are also shaped by the atmosphere. We pride ourselves on providing a warm, caring and friendly atmosphere. Each child is assigned a Key Person who will form a strong bond with your child and support your child to form a strong attachment. The key person will also be responsible for your child’s learning journal. Every term the key person will update your child’s learning journal, celebrating your child’s strengths and also setting the next steps in your child’s educational journey. Once the learning journal is completed, the parents are invited to a parent consultation with the key person to discuss their child’s learning and development. Hedgehog House Nursery also values the importance of a strong partnership with our parents and believe that good communication with parents is a key element in good practice.
Enabling Environments
The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. Enabling environments encourage young children to play because they feel relaxed, comfortable and at home in them. The EYFS recognise three aspects of the environment: emotional environment, indoor environment, and outdoor environment. When children feel emotionally safe and secure, they are able to explore and discover the world around them. At Hedgehog House Nursery we put a lot of thought and effort into ensuring that we provide inspiring activities and resources which capture the children’s curiosity and interests and further their learning and development, both inside in the playrooms and outside in the garden. Our home from home ethos ensures that children feel safe and secure.
Learning and Development
Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates. The EYFS framework covers the education and care of all children in early years provision including children with special educational needs and disabilities.
There are seven areas of learning: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.
All the areas of learning are accessible during each session from a wide range of resources and activities.
Books and Supporting Literacy
We feel it is important to encourage a love of books at Hedgehog House Nursery. Every day after snacktime we have ‘Book Time’ where the children choose a book either to sit and read independently or share with a member of staff or their friends. This is in addition to story time. Some weeks we also have a focus book, that will be supporting either a seasonal celebration or a child’s interest.
We extend the story to incorporate related adult led activities such as cooking, painting, sensory play. We also run a book scheme called ‘Becky’s Books’ where the children choose a book to borrow and take home each week and share it with their family.
