OUR CURRICULUM

During their time with us, children develop respect for one another and their environment and become active, creative, emotionally aware, and independent individuals. We nurture in them the enthusiasm, confidence, and self-motivation to learn and practise skills in key worker groups and in their own play.

We prepare children for school and later life through developing all aspects of their communication, a love of books, words, and stories, an interest in problem-solving and appreciation of nature.

The nursery environment is carefully planned to enhance children’s learning and development in each area of learning. As the children play inside or outside, carefully chosen equipment and questioning and support from nursery staff means that children’s learning and progress is accelerated. We take notes of how children’s skills are developing and plan for the next steps in learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage describes typical progress in each of the areas of learning in the form of developmental ladders. Of course, children are individual and not all children will fit into the typical pattern of progress.

Each week nursery staff have a planning meeting where we discuss the children’s learning progress and how we change/add to their environment to support their developing skills. Some skills need to be specifically taught such as learning how to use scissors – and this is done through our small group times. When children have tried a new skill/new activity at group time, it often gives them the confidence to choose this activity again when making their own choices for play.

At Just Imagine Day Nursery Canvey Island, our children follow a curriculum that covers the seven key areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage:

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

We provide the perfect setting for children to make new friends from the day they arrive. Children are encouraged to become independent. We also help them learn about children less fortunate than themselves through participation in charity events such as Pyjamas Day, Autism Awareness Day, Children with Special Needs, and termly charity days. Also, we support children in developing confidence and independence. We encourage them to begin to form positive relationships and respect for each other. Children learn about managing their own feelings and behaviours. We support the development of attention and concentration skills.

Communication and Language

We encourage our children to talk, share their natural curiosity and ideas through circle time and structured play. Frequent assemblies help them to build confidence. If English isn’t a child’s first language, we pride ourselves in helping them to settle and learn very quickly. We provide a language-rich environment, encouraging the children to speak and listen in a variety of situations. We provide extra support for those children who need to build confidence or develop their speaking skills.

Physical Development

We give children opportunities to be active and to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement. We also teach children about the importance of good hygiene habits, fresh air, and healthy food choices. Our superb gardens is an oasis in the middle of the bustling town centre of Canvey Island. The grounds provide endless opportunities for riding bicycles, playing football, interacting with others on the play equipment, and generally letting off steam.

Literacy

Children are given access to a wide range of books and stories to ignite their interest. They are encouraged to link sounds and letters, and early reading and writing is developed in Nursery and is consolidated in Reception Class.

Mathematics

Children have a natural curiosity for numbers and from the time they start in our Nursery, children are provided with opportunities to develop their understanding and recognition of numbers, quantities, and patterns. We encourage them to understand them in the context of everyday life, both inside and outside through structured activities. They are also given frequent opportunities to use shapes, spaces, and measures within their play.

Understanding The World

From the age of three, children are starting to make sense of the world around them and our Nursery helps them explore further in a safe and nurturing environment. We support children’s understanding of the world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about places, people, the environment, and the natural world. We are heavily involved with the local community and frequently visit local organisations and organise Nursery School trips. We also host visits from services such as Fire and Police as well as authors, artists and local business people. We welcome parent input and many volunteers to share their skills with us.

Expressive Arts and Design

Getting messy is such an important part of learning to express yourself through art and design and every day there’s a chance for children to get stuck into gloop, sand, playdough, and paint and they are sure to bring their masterpieces home for the kitchen wall. Dressing up is important at this age too and we offer plenty of scope for potential Princes and Princesses. Children explore a wide range of media and materials. They will experience a wide range of songs, rhymes, movement activities, and stories.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

At Just Imagine Day Nursery Canvey Island, we believe that inclusive education means providing all pupils with appropriate education and support alongside their peers. The Curriculum is all the planned activities that the nursery organises in order to promote learning, personal growth and development. We cater to all SEN needs, have one to one and sensory breaks. All children’s interests and needs are carefully planned into activities to achieve personal next steps. Also, our Sensory Room is equipped with resources and information on techniques.