Curriculum
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards that all Early Years' providers must meet. EYFS sets out the standards for learning, growth, development and care of children from birth to five years old.
The EYFS gives parents and carers confidence that the statutory commitments and principles that underpin your child's learning and development experience are fully supported and implemented.
The EYFS consists of three prime areas and four specific areas of development.
Click the link for - A parents guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage
Whilst we implement the EYFS framework, we at First Day Nursery Hackney, believe the child creates the curriculum, and the adult delivers the curriculum. Our holistic approach allows us to consider the following principles inspired by the Curiosity approach and Forest School approach:
- Curiosity Approach aims to give children back their freedom by igniting their natural curiosity and imagination.
- Curiosity Approach promotes every aspect of outdoor learning. Whether is be bug hunting, digging in the sand, planting seeds in old tyres, climbing, rolling, or den making, there are so many ways to develop children's talents and interests.
- The benefit of adopting the Curiosity Approach is that it allows children to think for themselves, make their own choices and direct their own learning.
- Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions.
- Forest School is form of early years childcare which takes place in forests and woodlands. The curriculum is based on child-led outdoor play, which aims to harness children' curiosity and exploration.
- Forest School has an emphasis on learning through play, where children have the freedom to try things out.
- In our overall approach, the room environment also acts as the third teacher.
- Practitioners are nurturers, and are guides who help facilitate the exploration of children's interests.
- Parents are partners in children’s learning and development.
The EYFS outlines the stages children progress through in the three prime areas and four specific areas of development as they work towards the Early Learning Goals.
At First Day Nursery, we follow the EYFS and staff receive regular training and support in all EYFS issues.
Our Learning Experiences
Our Rooms
At First Day Nursery Hackney our approach allows us to pay great attention to the look and feel of each room within the nursery. The environment is considered a 'third teacher in our nursery'. The staff organise each room for both small and large group activities.
The three rooms in the Nursery building are as follows; Baby Room (1-2 years old), and two Toddler Rooms (2-3 years old).
The two rooms in the Pre-School building are for the Preschool age group. (3-5 years old).
Our indoor environments provide spaces where children can access various stimulating learning experiences and a variety of resources to investigate.
We provide quiet places to rest and reflect, communication-friendly spaces to talk with peers, areas to spark creativity and imagination, resources to use for questioning and counting, sensory experiences to explore and places to read and write.
Outside Environment
At First Day Nursery Hackney, our outdoor learning is inspired by Forest School philosophy, this allows us to offer children the opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning. Children learn about exploring and experiencing the natural world through practical activities.
We provide a unique outdoor place to up lift physical and emotional health and wellbeing. Children have access to a fish pound, vegetables gardens, and flower gardens, go on natural hunts collecting natural objects and many more nature base activities. Through our garden space and outdoor experiences we support independence, adventure, confidence, and self-esteem of each unique child.
The children go out in all weathers, all year round, exploring and learning from the four seasons and environmental changes. The children's interests and the natural resources in our garden stimulate creative thinking, problem-solving, and skill development, all through play.
Special Educational Needs and Disability
At First Day Nursery Hackney we are committed to the inclusion of all children. We naturally scaffold children’s learning through their own interests, needs and through their personal development. We believe all children have the right to access positive experiences and fulfill their emotional, physical, social, wellbeing.
Marian as well as our Lead Manager, is also our 'Special Education Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator' (SENCO) who works alongside parents/carers, the child’s key person and other professionals involved to make sure the additional needs of a child are identified and responded to promptly, with support put in place.
(Click here) to learn more about Hackney Early Year SEN services for children with disabilities or additional needs.
