At Early Years Uxbridge we believe every day is a learning day. Our aim is to provide a safe, friendly, and nurturing environment for children to learn and develop at their own pace.
In our nursery we follow the statutory framework as set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage with guidance from Development matters.
During a child’s formative years, it is vitally important to recognise the need for a well-rounded curriculum. A curriculum which allows the children to build a solid foundation for later learning. All our teaching and learning experiences are guided by the children underpinned by the 8 pillars of our curriculum. It is our aim that when all our children leave our nursery they are:
We offer children an enabling and happy environment and we constantly review our layout to enhance their curiosity.
We plan around our children’s interest, and we ensure the activities are fun and engaging for them.
We use continuous praise to motivate our children to achieve their best.
We ensure that children build strong bonds with their key person and the rest of the members of staff.
we promote healthy eating by providing children with freshly cooked meals and fresh fruits and vegetables. We incorporate this through our daily activities when we teach children about healthy and unhealthy foods.
Oral health, we teach children about the importance of oral hygiene by constantly reinforcing this through daily activities.
Physical activity, we encourage children to take part in outdoor activities regardless of the weather as we reassure them that it is good for their immune system to be outdoors. The children learn about the different types of weather during circle time and planned activities.
Sleep routines - we ensure that children who require a nap, sleep in a comfortable and clean environment. We also ensure that the children are supervised and regular checks are carried out.
Mental health – we consider each individual child’s needs. We focus on building their self confidence and high self esteem. We ensure that we get know each child as an individual and we build strong relationships with adults and peers.
We ensure that routines are being followed and children understand rules, boundaries and consequences.
we offer lots of opportunities for the children to explore their communities and traditions.
We ask a range of questions.
Lots of open-ended activities
Redirect don’t discourage.
Interesting environment – we built children’s curiosity about the natural world and we teach them to recognise its similarities and difference and how to care for the environment.
Cultivate children’s curiosity and we speak about how things work and how they change whilst providing them freedom to explore using their 5 senses.
We encourage children to develop a love of reading.
We support our families to develop a love of reading by providing a variety of books which include multilingual and non-fiction which are freely accessible from our book library. This helps develop the children’s vocabulary, communication and language through stories, songs, and rhymes.
We have books available in all our areas including outdoor space.
We develop children’s language by asking lots of open-ended questions.
Multicultural/ bilingual
Staff demonstrate and role model the qualities of a good communicator.
Our staff use constant encouragement to support children in wanting to do better for themselves.
We revisit and extend activities to ensure that our children are wanting to know more.
We teach children that it is ok to fail and never give up, next time you can try harder. If you do your best that Is all that matters.
We have lots of resources that allow children the freedom to use their imagination using role play equipment/ art and crafts.
We have shakers lessons, ballet and sports sessions where children can express themselves freely.
We allow children to be individuals and we give them the freedom to express themselves freely, through music, dance, role play, art etc.
We have lots of resources that allow children the freedom to use their imagination using role play equipment/ art and crafts.
We have shakers lessons, ballet and sports sessions where children can express themselves freely.
We allow children to be individuals and we give them the freedom to express themselves freely, through music, dance, role play, art etc.
We promote this from very young age.
Children learn to wash and dry their own hands
Eat and drink independently.
Use resources independently.
Find their own belongings/ jackets and hats on
Self serve
Tidy up
Helper of the day
Using the toilet
We choose to familiarise ourselves with the children’s interests through play, observation, and open communication with the parents. Learning opportunities are guided by observing children throughout the day.
Our environment enables the children to take control of their learning by exploring independently through their interests. This sets guidance and requirements that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
Our approach is committed to a healthy balance of child led learning and adult led activities. We encourage children to develop as confident and capable learners who enjoy exploring their own ideas and theories whilst practitioners observe, support, discuss, challenge, and extend. We provide quality care and developmentally appropriate experiences so that every child may grow to their fullest potential as an individual. Through our daily interactions we are constantly listening and looking out for occasions when a child shows an interest so that we can build upon that spark to ignite their curiosity, deepen their knowledge, and extend their learning.
We take inspiration from the Curiosity Approach, and we use natural reclaimed and authentic resources in order to promote exploration, discovery, creativity, imagination, curiosity, awe and wonder. These resources are open-ended which include buttons, corks, pebbles, shells, pinecones as well as real items such as kettles, pots, crates, tyres, cable reels, China cups and plates.
We also encourage our children’s contact with the natural world and their environment. Being outside allows them to be animated, excited, curious, and physical. It allows children to develop themselves through healthy engagement with risk, problem solving and self-discovery all within a natural environment in a hands-on and thoughtful manner.
We promote the physical health and wellbeing of our children by offering opportunities to participate in extra curricular activities such as Spanish, Mini Movers, Ballet Lessons and Cooking Classes.
We educate our children on the world around them and actively involve them in our local community including regular walks in the community/park, shops, library, train station, church, post office and we regularly support local events. (Collections for local church and food bank, art competition in our neighbour building)
As the children’s needs and interests are at the forefront of our approach, we regularly review practice to ensure each learning experience is in line with our ethos and vison for our children. When reflecting we pay close attention to ensure that the intent, implementation, and impact of activities has been appropriate, purposeful, and most importantly meaningful to the children.
We assess the impact of our curriculum by regularly reflecting on our practice. This could mean adapting our teaching style, changing our areas of provision, providing action plans and continuing our professional development.
