We strive to fully support your child’s learning and development whilst they are in our care. Each child is different and so we plan activities that are in line with their needs and level of development and we assess them with this in mind too.
Observation and Planning
Our planning cycle starts with you. We ask you where your child’s learning is up to and what kinds of things they enjoy playing with and exploring. We then begin observing your child whilst they are playing to understand their current interests, their development and how they learn. We make thorough notes on our observations. We also talk to you to find out more about your child’s capabilities, including what they can do and what they already know, as well as the activities they like to do when at home.
Once we have gathered this information, we can then plan appropriate activities which will form the next steps in your child’s learning and development.
Online Learning Journey
We use an Online Learning Journey system at the nursery. This allows you access to observations and to see what children have been learning during their week with us. When you first join the nursery your child’s Key Person will ask you for “starting points” in your child’s learning. This is in order for us to understand what your child already knows and what they already enjoy doing and playing with. We use this information to start their learning journey at our nursery based on what they’ve achieved already.
At the end of your child’s time at nursery, we download their whole Online Learning Journey for you to take away to share and remember their time with us.
Assessment and the Early Years Foundation Stage
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a play-based curriculum. It is mandatory for all schools and early years providers in Ofsted-registered settings attended by young children from birth to the end of the academic year in which the child has their fifth birthday.
We use the EYFS as a framework when caring for your child and supporting their learning and development. We provide activities and assess your child based on seven areas of learning (three prime areas and four specific areas).
The prime areas are fundamental in a child’s life and they must be achieved in order to efficiently develop the four specific areas. The three prime areas are:
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Physical development
- Communication and language
The four specific areas are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Our nursery teams work hard to focus on these prime areas for younger children and as they develop, this support also incorporates the specific areas. The support provided is appropriate to each individual’s level of development and the progress shown.
The aim of the EYFS is to help children achieve the following outcomes:
- Staying safe
- Being healthy
- Enjoying and achieving
- Making a positive contribution
- Sustaining a positive wellbeing
This also provides assurance that our nursery will keep your child safe and help them to thrive, form strong relationships and show an enthusiasm for learning.
Get in touch
For more information, about our planning and assessment procedures here at Bourne End Day Nursery, please get in touch.