Early Years

Pengam Primary School

Early Years

Children in Nursery and Reception learn through play. They are taught investigative skills through a range of sensory experiences.

Nursery staff plan activities for pupils using the ‘Desirable Outcomes’. These outcomes are divided into six areas of learning. These are:

Knowledge and understanding of the world

Mathematical development

Language, literacy and communication skills

Personal and social development

Creative development

Physical development

These areas not always taught separately but overlap in a variety of contexts e.g. milk/snack time is a social experience but may also develop language/communication and mathematical skills (counting cartons, biscuits, straws etc)

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

By the time they are 5 the experiences that children have had should enable them to talk about home and where they live and differentiate between the town and countryside

Children will have a basic understanding of the seasons and their features and the idea of time (days, morning, bedtime, yesterday, today and tomorrow).

They will be able to identify different workers and characteristics of their work e.g. dentist, doctor, farmer etc)

Pupils will be taught problem solving, decision making and begin to use a variety of information sources (e.g. books, television, libraries).

They will begin to appreciate the importance of the environment and understand about food and its origins.

A range of materials will be introduced to enable children to explore their potential - cutting, folding, joining and comparing.

Mathematical Development

Young children are able to develop mathematical concepts through a range of practical activities - they must be able to see the processes in action in order for them to be meaningful. Pupils will be encouraged to understand and use mathematical language: shape, size, position and quantity. They will begin to sort, match, order sequence, compare and count familiar objects. Action and number songs will develop counting skills and encourage children to understand 'less' and 'more'. Children will begin to use money in role play and understand its mathematics. They will recognise and recreate basic patterns.

Language, Literacy and Communication Skills

Children are encouraged to listen to a good story, respond and recall familiar songs and nursery rhymes. They will be able to express their needs, ask questions and listen to responses. Children will develop the ability to express opinions, make choices and retell their own experiences using simple language. They will be taught that written symbols have sound and meaning, understand some of the functions of writing and use a variety of tools to write, paint, draw etc.

At various intervals during the nursery session children are able to choose books independently. With adult support, they are encouraged to look after them, hold them the correct way and follow the story from front to back, playing the role of the reader.

Personal and Social Development

Children will become more confident and able to form relationships with adults and children demonstrating care, respect and affection for other people. They will begin to show sensitivity to others and those with difficulties. Concentration will last for longer periods and children will acknowledge the need for help and seek help when needed.

Children will be encouraged to take responsibility for personal hygiene, dress themselves (given time and encouragement), take turns, share and begin to exercise self control. Pupils will be taught that all living things should be treated with care, respect and concern.

They will also be taught to respond positively to a range of cultural and linguistic experiences and acknowledge and respect the diversity of cultures within society.

Creative Development

Creativity can be expressed through a range of activities from art and craft to music and drama. Children will be encouraged to respond to and enjoy rhythm in music making with a range of instruments and with their voices.

They will develop the ability to use a range of materials to create representational images (e.g. pictures, drawings, constructions) and make choices about colour and medium.

Children will begin to respond to dance and imitative movements and enjoy role play and imaginative drama.

They will start to differentiate sounds without visual clues (e.g. animals, instruments, voices).

Physical Development

Under 5's need to understand the concepts of health, hygiene, safety and the importance of diet, rest and sleep. Pupils will develop an awareness of their own bodies and growth and move confidently with increasing control and co-ordination.

Children will be encouraged to handle small and large equipment with skill and confidence (e.g. bikes, balls, pencils and paintbrushes).

They will understand and enjoy the differences between running, walking, skipping jumping, climbing etc and respond to suggestions about spatial relationships e.g. behind, underneath, below, above, on top of.