Our Curriculum

Building a Foundation for Success

At Osbaldwick Primary Academy we understand the importance of building good foundations for future learning and our provision for nursery children and reception aged children reflects this. We recognise that children have rights and, as such, are valued, listened to and given time and space to express themselves.  The curriculum in Early Years is designed to provide experiences that help to support  their communication skills and increase their vocabulary. Our curriculum and daily activities are carefully planned to support language acquisition, sustained shared thinking and a focus on developing expressive and receptive language.Children are provided with opportunities to actively participate, explore, and question things. 

We have a very strong emphasis on the social development of children as part of a community and their relationships to other children, their families and teachers. We recognise the importance of the environment, which we consider to be ‘the third teacher’. We follow the principles set out in ‘Birth to Five Matters’ which states that significant learning is dependent on each child having opportunities to thrive and develop positive relationships within an enabling environment.

Our learning environment is designed as continuous provision. The purpose of continuous provision is “to continue the provision for learning in the absence of an adult”.  Each and every part of our learning environment has been carefully planned to meet and challenge the development needs of our children.

 Learning opportunities are carefully planned around the interests of the children using the Plan-Do-Review approach, so they can lead, take ownership and become immersed in their learning. We support the children to develop their skills progressively in exciting, fun and creative ways to achieve the highest standards possible. We also provide ‘topics’ to support their ideas and to really engage the children in their new learning experiences. Our topics are organised around engaging and age-appropriate topics that are carefully planned to sit alongside and complement the Key Stage 1 curriculum. This ensures that children develop the foundational knowledge and skills they need to successfully access and thrive in key stage 1.

Our Early Years Curriculum

The EYFS Framework explains how and what your child will be learning to support their development.

They will be  learning new skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.

•         Communication and language;
•         Physical development; 
•         Personal, social and emotional development;
•         Literacy;
•         Mathematics;
•         Understanding the world; and
•         Expressive arts and design.

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities which are suited to your individual unique needs. 

Our Early Years Curriculum also embraces our 5 whole school curriculum pillars. 

Embracing the 5Cs:

• Creativity:

  We foster creativity through imaginative play, art, music, and role play. Children are encouraged to explore, experiment, and express themselves in a variety of ways through the use of the indoor and outdoor learning environment.

• Content:

  Our curriculum is rich in high-quality content that is carefully selected to support children’s development across all areas of learning.

• Cohesion:

  We work closely with our Key Stage 1 colleagues to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for children. This includes sharing information, planning for continuity, and developing a shared understanding of key knowledge and skills.

• Community:

  We value and celebrate our local community. Children have opportunities to learn about their local environment through trips, visits from community members, and by engaging with local resources.

• Compassion:

  We prioritise the development of social and emotional skills, such as empathy, kindness, and respect for others. Our nurturing and inclusive environment fosters a strong sense of belonging and well-being for all children. Children understand the core values of Osbaldwick: Be Kind, Be Safe, Aim High.

Ensuring Progression:

We carefully map the progression of key knowledge and skills from the Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1, ensuring that children are well-prepared for the next stage of their education. This includes a focus on developing early literacy and numeracy skills, as well as essential social and emotional skills and key knowledge needed to prepare them for their future topics. 

By implementing this holistic and child-centered approach, we aim to provide all children with the best possible start to their educational journey, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive.