Early Learning Goals

Our school is inspected regularly by both Social Services and the Office of Standards for Education (OFSTED). Their favourable reports (copies available at school), detail how our school operates and conforms to required National criteria. As we are approved by OFSTED we are registered to accept Government funding for eligible four-year-olds.

Within the framework of our Montessori-based curriculum, we actively work towards the 'Early Learning Goals' within the 'Foundation Stage' of the National Curriculum as stipulated by the Department for Education and Employment (DFEE) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

The six areas of learning are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  Developing confidence and independence while learning to concentrate and to enjoy sharing as part of a group.
  
• Communication, Language and Literacy
  Communicating with one another and developing skills in talking, listening, writing and reading.
  
• Mathematical Development
  Using ideas about number, quantity, measurement, shape and space.
  
• Knowledge and understanding of the world
  Investigating and beginning to understand the things, places and people around them.
  
• Physical Development
  Improving control and coordination of their bodies while learning to move and to handle equipment.
  
• Creative Development
  Finding ways to communicate by using colour, shape, sound, texture, movement and stories.

These areas of learning are all priorities within our curriculum and by using a wide range of materials and activities we ensure that each child is given opportunities for acquiring and developing appropriate skills in all these categories.

The children encounter innumerable opportunities for learning as part of their daily routine at Nursery.  They work alone, in small groups, individually with a teacher or as part of the whole class. Every task they undertake can help underpin their increasing knowledge.  Each child is encouraged to explore and develop at their own pace within the Montessori 'prepared environment'.