Our Curriculum

At Brookside Nursery, our curriculum is built around the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We carefully consider each child’s needs, interests, and stage of development to plan experiences that are challenging, relevant, and exciting.

The EYFS covers seven areas of learning and development. These areas help children build the essential knowledge, skills, and experiences they need from birth to age five.

Prime Areas of Learning

The three Prime Areas form the foundation of early development. They support children’s curiosity, confidence, ability to build relationships, and readiness to learn.

Prime Areas:

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
  • Communication and Language (C&L)
  • Physical Development (PD)

In the Prime Areas, children learn to:

  • Share, take turns, and show respect for others.
  • Build friendships and develop confidence as independent learners.
  • Play alongside others and respond appropriately in social situations.
  • Listen carefully and understand spoken language so they can follow instructions.
  • Learn and use new vocabulary, develop conversations, and share their own ideas.
  • Communicate with adults and peers in meaningful ways.
  • Develop control of their bodies, from large movements like running and jumping to fine motor skills such as holding pencils and using scissors.

These Prime Areas are strengthened and extended through the four Specific Areas of learning.

    Specific Areas of Learning

    Specific Areas:

    • Literacy (L)
    • Mathematics (M)
    • Understanding the World (UTW)
    • Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)

    In the Specific Areas, children learn to:

    • Enjoy books and stories and develop early reading skills.
    • Begin to read simple sentences using their phonic knowledge.
    • Make marks, draw, and begin writing letters, words, and simple sentences.
    • Count objects accurately and recognise numerals.
    • Explore addition, subtraction, and problem‑solving through practical activities.
    • Use everyday language to talk about size, shape, weight, capacity, distance, time, and money.
    • Investigate how things work, notice changes, and explore the natural world.
    • Be imaginative, sing, dance, and express themselves through art, music, and creative play.
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    Our Intent

    At Brookside Nursery, we aim to give every child an inclusive, nurturing, and engaging start to their learning journey. Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and support children in developing the skills they need to thrive.

    We want children to:

    • Enjoy learning and feel motivated and confident.
    • Communicate clearly, explore their ideas, and make independent choices.
    • Build resilience, independence, and positive relationships.
    • Develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.
    • Celebrate their achievements and feel proud of their progress.

        How We Implement Our Curriculum

        Our dedicated team:

        • Provide a rich, balanced curriculum filled with meaningful play and exploration.
        • Get to know each child well and plan next steps based on their interests and developmental stage.
        • Create a language‑rich environment with conversations, stories, rhymes, and quality interactions.
        • Foster a safe, supportive space where children and families feel valued and listened to.
        • Offer inclusive support to meet each child’s individual needs, helping every child progress confidently.

        Impact

        We want every child to leave Brookside Nursery feeling confident, capable, and well‑prepared for the next stage of their learning journey. To support this, we use the Development Matters guidance alongside our own Progression Milestones. This enables us to understand each child’s stage of development and provide targeted, meaningful provision that helps them continue to grow and thrive.

        By building strong relationships with families and observing children closely, we develop a clear understanding of each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for development. This ensures our provision is responsive, supportive, and carefully tailored, so every child can experience success and make secure progress at their own pace.

        Parent Guides to the Early Years

        We know how important it is for parents to feel informed and confident about their child’s learning journey. The following trusted resources offer clear, accessible guidance on the EYFS:

        ‘What to Expect in the EYFS’; An easy‑to‑use guide that helps parents understand how children typically develop from birth to five, with examples of what learning may look like at different ages. https://foundationyears.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL-16.09-compressed.pdf (Can the link be within the What to Expect in the EYFS)

        Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage: This is the government’s statutory guidance that all early years providers must follow. It sets out the standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to five. (Same for this link) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
        Development Matters: This non‑statutory guidance supports early years practitioners in delivering the EYFS. It outlines typical pathways of children’s development and helps practitioners plan high‑quality learning experiences. (And again same for this link) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters--2