Curriculum | busybees

Our curriculum

All early years providers are required to follow a structure of learning, development and care for children from birth to five years old. We use the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework (EYFS) which sets the standards of this structure. This scaffolds our Curriculum to ensure children are given the best opportunities to learn and develop in a safe and nurturing environment.

Learning at Busy Bees Ledbury

The EYFS has seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings.

Three of the learning areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three areas are called the 'Prime' areas and are:

Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development

We also support children in four 'Specific' areas of learning which are:

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design.

At Busy Bees, our educational programme provides activities and experiences for children as follows:

Communication and Language development involves giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves, and to speak and listen in a range of situations.

Physical Development involves providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. Children must also be helped to understand the importance of physical activity and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development involves helping children to develop a positive sense of themselves, and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behavior in groups, and to have confidence in their own abilities.

Literacy Development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write. Children must be given access to a wide range of reading materials (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest.

Mathematics involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.

Understanding the World involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology, and the environment.

Expressive Arts and Design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology.

In order to meet the above criteria, we consider children's individual needs, interests and stage of development. We will use our own observations plus information from parents to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child. Key Persons monitor their key children's development using the non-statutory 'Development Matters' curriculum guidance. We recognise that children develop at different rates and in their own ways however, if at any point, a child's progress in any of the prime areas becomes a cause for concern, the child's key person will discuss this with their parents and we will develop a plan to support them.

Each area of learning and development will be implemented through planned, purposeful play and a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Busy Bees value the importance of play and it's role to support a child's development. We will respond to each child's emerging needs and interests and the Key Person will guide the child's development through warm, positive interaction. In planning and guiding activities, Educators will have knowledge of and reflect on the different ways children learn. The characteristics of learning are:

Playing and Exploring - children investigate and experience things and 'have a go'
Active Learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
Creating and Thinking Critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things.

Tapestry

Children's progress is recorded in their online Learning Journey which we encourage parents to contribute to. The Learning Journey includes photos, videos, observations and thoughts in your child's own words. The children are able to use their Learning Journeys to reflect on their own learning and development.

We would appreciate it if you could make full use of the Learning Journey by using it to upload your own photos and notes about your child's development also.

If parents have any questions about the Early Years Foundation Stage or their child's progress, we encourage them to speak to the child's Key Person in the first instance. A child's Key Person is the person at Busy Bees who will know your child the best. If you still have further questions, please address them with Elle, Manager or Jodie, Deputy Manager.