FAQ's

Q. What is the Curriculum for Birth to Three Matters?

A. In order to break down the very broad area of early childhood development, the government have divided the curriculum into four aspects of learning;

1. A Strong Child - SC

2. A Skilful Communicator - SKC

3. A Competent Learner - CL

4. A Healthy Child - HC

Q. What does each of the four aspects involve?

A. Each of the four aspects contains four components which are as follows;

A Strong Child covers the development from being ‘Me, Myself and I’ to ‘Being Acknowledged and Affirmed’, ‘Developing Self Assurance’ and then having ‘A Sense of Belonging’.

A Skilful Communicator covers ‘Being Together’ to ‘Finding a Voice’ then to ‘Listening and Responding and finally ‘Making Meaning’.

A Competent Learner is ’Making Connections’ and ’Being Imaginative’ then Learning to ’Be creative’ through ’Representing’.

A Healthy Child learns about ’Emotional Well-Being’ and ’Growing and Developing’ to learning how to ’Keep Safe’ and make ’Healthy Choices’.

Q. How are children taught the curriculum?

A. All learning is achieved through play and experiences in all aspects of a child’s life at Nursery, home, in the local and wider community.

Q. How can we be sure that a child is learning across all of the four aspect areas of learning as outlined above?

A. At the Nursery the focus for all work and planning is centered around the learning environment (the Nursery), to ensure that all children have access to a wide range of resources, equipment and experiences.

Q. How is the learning environment (Nursery) organised?

A. The basis for children’s play are the outcomes we hope they will achieve as outlined in the curriculum. When staff are reviewing and planning for the learning areas within the Nursery they base this work around the curriculum.  

For organisation, access and resource purposes, the Nursery is organised into 9 learning areas or workshop areas, they are;

Mark-making area

Maths and Science area

Studio area

Book area

Block area

Life area

ICT area

Music area

Outdoor area

Each area is critically reviewed on a daily basis through observations and equipment needed by the children.

Q. How do staff ‘teach’ the children?

Nursery staff have received training on early childhood development and knowledge on how children learn through play. They are taught how to enhance rather than hinder children’s play, when to interact, what sort of questions to ask and how to plan for and support children with areas of their development that require specific focus.

Q. How do we know and record where a child is at with their development?

A. Every child has a developmental record which is completed by their named Communicator. When a child has been observed achieving an aspect of the curriculum this is recorded onto an observation slip which are kept on clipboards around the Nursery room. Parents are also given a batch of slips and your Communicator will go through with you how and what to write. The Communicators then highlight the observed area in the child’s development record and this is reviewed weekly with the Nursery Manager. Areas for particular focus are logged weekly onto aspect sheets which are on the walls in the Nursery.

Q. What happens when my child turns three?

A. They will then begin the ‘Foundation Stage Curriculum’ which runs from age 3 through to the end of the reception year. Please ask your Communicator for some information on this Curriculum.