Preschool
Curriculum
Preschool Curriculum
Educational Preschool, Forest School and Snug follow the Preschool Curriculum set out by the Education Authority. This provides guidelines and requirements put in place to ensure children are prepared for school and for their futures.
The curriculum is divided into 6 key areas:
Key Areas of Learning
Personal, Social &
Emotional Development
“This Area of Learning is of the utmost importance for young children in all aspects of their lives. It is about children’s emotional well-being, understanding of who they are, and respect for others and their environment. It is also about forming and sustaining relationships, beginning to understand emotions, learning how to self-regulate, and developing positive dispositions to learn. Good personal, social and emotional development gives children the best opportunity for success in other Areas of Learning.”
Physical Development & Movement
“Children enjoy physical play both indoors and outdoors. They revel in freedom of movement and in play that is inventive, adventurous and stimulating. Physical play that develops gross motor skills, for example running, jumping, climbing, skipping, hopping, balancing, kicking, striking, throwing and catching, helps children to develop balance, control, co-ordination and an awareness of size, space and direction. Play opportunities should be maximised indoors and outdoors to help develop fine motor skills such as grasping, screwing, pinching, picking, holding and threading, which are important for the development of eye and hand control”
Language
Development
“Language development is crucial to living and learning: to communicate with others, to share and express feelings, to give and obtain information, and to understand ideas and develop thoughts.”
Key Areas of Learning
Early Mathematical Experiences
“Initially, as the children engage in play, they will use their own everyday language. With the skilful help of staff in the setting, they will begin to understand and later use mathematical language as they develop an awareness of number, shape, space, size, quantity, relationships, pattern, sequencing and time.”
The Arts
“Being creative is about making new things, taking risks, experimenting, coming up with new ideas, solving problems and coping with uncertainty. Creative play, both indoors and outdoors, not only helps foster these skills but can also assist with emotional development and social interaction. It can promote aesthetic awareness and be an avenue for self-expression. Partnership with parents is important so they understand the learning and value in the experiences their children engage in, including potentially ‘messy’ activities.”
The World Around
Us
“From their earliest days, children try to make sense of their world. They are naturally curious about their environment and the people around them and frequently ask questions. Through a wide variety of activities and experiences in play, children begin to develop a range of skills and concepts such as observation and experimentation.”
Peter's Patch have all the resources, tools, space and training to implement these key fundamentals for learning and to help set your child up for success!
More information about the Preschool Curriculum can be found at www.ccea.org.uk