Learning & Development

At Whitchurch Preschool we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum as set out by the Department for Education and carefully plan activities around the three prime areas of learning and development, supported by the four specific areas of learning and development and the Characteristics of Effective Learning.

The prime areas are:

1. Communication and Language
2. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
3. Physical Development

The specific areas are:

1. Literacy
2. Mathematics
3. Understanding the World
4. Expressive Arts and Design

The Characteristics of Effective Learning are:

1. Playing and exploring- Engagement
2. Active learning- Motivation
3. Creating and thinking critically- Thinking

These areas of learning help us as practitioners to plan the learning environment, activities and experiences and provide a framework towards the early learning goals, which establish expectations for most children to reach by the end of the Foundation stage in school.

Children are encouraged to share and interact with one another, grow in confidence and independence, follow their interest and enthusiasms and develop skills to become life-long learners whilst having fun in a safe and supportive environment.