Building a Nursery Curriculum

INTRO

Ever feel like juggling fun and learning at a nursery is a challenge? Trust me, you’re not alone! The secret to getting it right is all in the way you plan the day. 

Intro

Hey everyone! Welcome back to the channel, How to Open a Nursery UK. Today, we’re going to discuss one of the most important aspects of running a successful nursery: building a curriculum.

A great nursery curriculum isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about creating an environment where kids can thrive, explore, and learn at their own pace. So, in this video, we’re going to talk about how you can structure learning and play activities to support children’s development, while also making sure your nursery meets the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards. So let’s begin!

Main Script

Understanding the Basics of a Nursery Curriculum

Okay so the first thing is to understand what a nursery curriculum is. A lot of people think of it as just a set of activities or lessons, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a roadmap for children’s learning and development. It gives structure and purpose to their day while still allowing them the freedom to explore and play.

When we talk about a nursery curriculum, we’re really talking about creating a balanced day that combines both guided learning and independent play. You want to focus on different areas of development: cognitive, emotional, social, and physical. The goal is to help children build these skills at their own pace while having fun.

Now, the EYFS framework is key here. It’s the official guideline for all early years providers in the UK, and it helps ensure that all nurseries are providing the same level of care and education. The EYFS covers seven key areas of learning, which we’ll dive into in just a bit.

How to Structure Your Day

Moving on, let’s talk about how you can actually structure your nursery’s day-to-day activities. The first thing to keep in mind is that young children need a good balance between structured learning and free play. You don’t want the day to feel too rigid, but you also want to make sure there’s some level of consistency.

A typical day might look something like this:

1. Arrival and Free Play (8:00 – 9:00 AM): Start the day with some unstructured time where kids can ease into the day. This is a great time for children to interact with different toys and play with their peers, which helps build social skills.
2. Morning Circle Time (9:00 – 9:30 AM): This is where you can introduce the day’s theme or focus. Circle time can include things like songs, storytelling, or even a quick chat about the weather. It’s a great way to get everyone settled and focused.
3. Guided Learning Activities (9:30 – 10:30 AM): Here’s where you introduce specific learning activities based on the EYFS framework. For example, you might have a counting game for math, or a creative activity like painting or building blocks to encourage fine motor skills.
4. Snack Time and Outdoor Play (10:30 – 11:30 AM): After some focused learning, give the kids a break. A quick snack followed by outdoor play is a great way to let them blow off steam while still encouraging physical development.
5. Storytime or Quiet Time (11:30 – 12:00 PM): Before lunch, it’s a good idea to have a calming activity like storytime or some quiet individual play. This helps children wind down before eating.
6. Lunch (12:00 – 12:30 PM): Mealtime is also a learning opportunity. Encourage good manners, healthy eating, and even let them help with setting the table or serving.
7. Afternoon Learning Activity (12:30 – 1:30 PM): After lunch, you can go for another guided learning session. You could focus on a different area like language development through phonics or vocabulary games.
8. Free Play and Departure (1:30 – 3:00 PM): As the day winds down, it’s good to let children engage in more self-directed play. This is when their creativity really shines!

Balancing Learning and Play

One of the biggest challenges when creating a nursery curriculum is finding that sweet spot between learning and play. The truth is, kids learn through play. So, instead of separating the two, think about how you can integrate learning into everyday activities.

For example, if you’re focusing on numbers and counting, you can do that while playing with blocks. Or if you want to encourage language development, you can do that during storytelling or even while singing songs. The idea is to keep things light and fun, so the kids are learning without even realizing it.

The 7 Key Areas of Learning in the EYFS Framework

The EYFS framework breaks down children’s learning into seven key areas. Here’s a quick overview of each and how you can incorporate them into your curriculum:

The first one is communication and language. This area focuses on helping children express themselves, whether it’s through words, sounds, or even body language. Simple activities like storytelling, singing, or having conversations with the kids can significantly boost their ability to communicate. Encouraging them to talk and listen will help build the foundation for stronger language skills.

Next up is physical development, which is all about improving both fine and gross motor skills. Activities like running, jumping, painting, or playing with clay are great ways to engage children physically. These activities not only help them develop coordination but also build strength and flexibility in a fun and engaging way.

Then there’s personal, social, and emotional development, which is key to helping children understand their own emotions and how to interact with others. You can work on this through role-playing, group activities, and even simple conflict resolution exercises. It’s all about teaching kids how to share, take turns, and manage their feelings, which sets them up for healthier social interactions as they grow.

Moving on to literacy, reading and writing are fundamental skills, but for younger children, it’s more about introducing them to the basics in a fun and relaxed way. Storytime, phonics games, or even drawing and colouring can help lay the foundation for literacy. It’s important to keep it light and playful to maintain their interest.

When it comes to mathematics, you don’t need to overwhelm kids with worksheets. Instead, make learning numbers fun with counting games, puzzles, or playing with shapes. Even activities like measuring ingredients during a cooking session can introduce basic maths concepts in a practical and enjoyable way.

Understanding the world is another key area. This involves helping children make sense of the world around them. Activities like exploring nature, talking about different cultures, or playing with toys like animals or cars can spark their curiosity and broaden their understanding of different environments and societies.

Finally, we have expressive arts and design. This is all about giving children the freedom to express themselves creatively. Whether it’s painting, singing, dancing, or even making up their own stories, encouraging creative play is crucial for their emotional and cognitive development. The focus here is on letting them explore different forms of art and design to express their thoughts and feelings in unique ways.

Adapting the Curriculum for Different Ages and Abilities

One of the best things about the EYFS framework is that it’s flexible. Every child is different, so it’s important to adapt your activities based on their age, ability, and interests.

For younger children, you’ll want to keep things simple and focus more on sensory play. For example, water play, sandboxes, or playing with textured toys can help younger kids develop their senses.

For older children, you can introduce more complex tasks like building with Legos, simple science experiments, or group activities that encourage cooperation and problem-solving.

It’s also important to keep an eye on each child’s individual progress. Some children may need more support in certain areas, while others might be ready to move on to more challenging activities. The key is to observe and respond to their needs.

Building Flexibility into Your Curriculum

While it’s great to have a structured curriculum, flexibility is key. Children’s moods and energy levels can vary from day to day, so it’s important to be able to adjust the schedule when needed. If the kids are really engaged in an activity, let them continue! If they’re getting restless, switch things up.

Having a flexible curriculum means being able to adapt to the children’s needs while still keeping an eye on the overall goals of development. It’s all about balance.

You see, a nursery curriculum isn’t just a set of lessons or activities; it’s a dynamic, flexible plan that nurtures children’s development across all areas—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. Once you balance structured learning with play while keeping the EYFS framework in mind, you’ll be able to create an environment where children thrive and learn in the most natural, fun way possible.

Outro

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Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next one!