Early Years Curriculum
We follow the Early Years Foundations Stage Statutory Framework; setting learning, development and care for children from birth to 5 years.
- ‘A Unique Child’ - this outlines child development and inclusive practice as well as keeping safe and well.
- ‘Positive Relationships’ - this concerns staff and parents working together and good bonds between staff and children.
- ‘Enabling Environments’ - this explains how the room is prepared and the greater outdoor environment is utilised.
- 'Learning and Development'- is the fourth principle and concerns providing a range of activities and experiences to promote independent learning across the seven developmental areas of learning as set out in the guidance.
The prime areas are:
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development - developing social skills, building self-esteem and confidence, promoting self-care, good behaviour and independence.
- Communication and Language - developing communication skills such as listening and speaking.
- Physical Development - movement, a sense of space, health and bodily awareness, using equipment, tools and materials.
The specific areas (through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied) are:
- Literacy - encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write.
- Mathematics - providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, 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 their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
The Ruby Hub Vision for Early Years:
At the heart of our Early Years provision in the Ruby Hub is a belief that every child deserves the very best start to their educational journey. We aim to create a nurturing and ambitious environment where strong relationships form the foundation for learning. Through warm, trusting partnerships with children and families we aim for every child to feel safe, valued and understood.
We recognise that young children learn best through purposeful play and exploration. Our curriculum is carefully designed to provide rich opportunities for children to develop foundational knowledge and skills that will prepare them for future learning and lifelong success. Through high-quality interactions, skilled questioning and responsive teaching, we aim to support children to think deeply, communicate confidently and make sense of the world around them.
We are committed to fostering curiosity and a love of learning. We encourage children to take risks, solve problems and learn from mistakes, helping them to become resilient and independent learners. By providing an inclusive and challenging environment, we empower every child to develop confidence in their abilities, build positive relationships and achieve their full potential.
Our vision is for every child to leave the Early Years as a happy, confident and capable learner who is:
- Resilient when facing challenges
- Independent in their learning and self-care
- Excited and motivated to learn
- Safe, secure and supported
- Valued as a unique individual
- Curious about the world around them
Early Years Curriculum Intent
Our Early Years curriculum is designed to provide all children with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to thrive both now and in the future. Through a carefully sequenced and ambitious curriculum, we ensure children develop strong foundations across all areas of learning while nurturing their personal, social and emotional development.
The curriculum is rooted in:
- Strong relationships that enable children to feel secure and ready to learn.
- High-quality interactions that extend thinking, language and understanding.
- Play-based learning that promotes exploration, creativity and problem-solving.
- Rich language experiences that develop communication, vocabulary and confidence.
- Foundational knowledge and skills that prepare children for the next stage of education.
- Inclusive practice that recognises and celebrates the individuality of every child.
- Opportunities to develop resilience, independence and self-regulation.
We aim to ensure that every child develops:
- A rich and broad vocabulary.
- A love of stories, books and language.
- Early mathematical understanding and confidence.
- Curiosity about people, places and the natural world.
- Physical coordination and healthy habits.
- Positive attitudes to learning and challenge.
- The confidence to communicate clearly.
Early Years Curriculum Impact
The impact of our Early Years curriculum is seen in children who are engaged, confident and enthusiastic learners. Children demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for a successful transition into Year 1 and beyond.
As a result of our provision, children:
- Feel happy, safe and valued within the school community.
- Build strong relationships with both adults and peers.
- Communicate effectively and use an increasingly rich vocabulary.
- Apply their knowledge through play, exploration and problem-solving.
- Show resilience when faced with new experiences and challenges.
- Demonstrate independence in their learning and daily routines.
- Display curiosity, creativity and a desire to learn more.
- Develop strong foundations in literacy, mathematics and understanding of the world.
- Are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
By the end of Reception, children have developed the knowledge, skills and characteristics of effective learning that enable them to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. They leave the Early Years as confident and curious learners, ready to embrace future challenges.
Early Years Implementation
In the Ruby Hub group of schools; the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum is carefully designed to provide children with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to flourish both now and as they move into Key Stage 1. Through a balance of high-quality adult-led learning and purposeful play helping children develop confidence, independence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.
Our curriculum is delivered through engaging themes that reflect children's interests while broadening their understanding of themselves, their community and the wider world. Across Nursery and Reception, children explore topics such as Uniquely Me, Me and My Senses, Where I Explore, Gardens, Making the World Work and The Big Wide World, providing meaningful contexts for learning and ensuring progression across all areas of the EYFS curriculum. These themes are mapped through our rolling programme to ensure children receive a broad and balanced curriculum regardless of their year of entry.
High-quality interactions are at the heart of our practice. Skilled practitioners extend children's thinking through questioning, modelling language and carefully planned learning opportunities. Continuous provision is designed to encourage exploration, creativity and problem-solving whilst enabling children to revisit and embed key knowledge and skills. Adults use ongoing assessment to identify next steps and adapt learning to meet the needs of every child.
Language and communication underpin all areas of learning. We immerse children in high-quality texts, stories, rhymes and conversations, carefully selecting books that support curriculum themes and expose children to ambitious vocabulary. This helps children develop strong communication skills and a rich understanding of the world around them.
Early reading is prioritised through a systematic phonics programme, daily story opportunities and the development of a language-rich environment. Children are supported to become confident readers and writers through carefully sequenced learning experiences, meaningful mark-making opportunities and explicit teaching.
Mathematical understanding is developed through practical exploration, investigation and everyday experiences. Children build secure foundations in number, pattern, shape, measure and problem-solving through a combination of adult-guided teaching and independent application within provision.
Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on developing children's understanding of the world. Through experiences linked to history, geography, science, religious education, the arts and technology, children learn about their local community, different cultures and the wider world. They explore natural environments, life cycles, plants, animals, transport, oceans, continents and significant events from the past, helping them make connections and build cultural capital.
Personal, social and emotional development is also embedded across the curriculum. Children learn the importance of positive relationships, self-regulation, kindness, cooperation and respect through daily routines, explicit teaching and carefully planned PSHE opportunities. This enables them to develop the confidence and resilience needed for future success.
By the end of Reception, our children leave EYFS as confident and enthusiastic learners. They have secure foundations in knowledge, communication and social development, are well prepared for the next stage of their education.