Curriculum (EYFS) | Early Years @ Natures Nook

EYFS Overview

The EYFS sets statutory standards for learning, development, and care for children from birth to 5. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum that meets each child’s needs and interests.

Prime Areas

Communication and language
Physical development
Personal, social and emotional development

Specific Areas

Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design

Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning

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Playing and Exploring

Children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.

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Active Learning

Children concentrate, keep on trying, and enjoy achievements.

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Creating and Thinking Critically

Children develop their own ideas, make links, and choose strategies.

Provision by Age Group

Acorns (2–3 years)

Language-rich routines, songs, and stories.
Sensory and heuristic play to build fine & gross motor skills.
Personal care and independence (toileting, dressing, mealtimes).

Saplings (3–5 years)

Vocabulary-building talk, role-play, and small-world play.
Maths through play: counting, comparing quantities, shape, space & measure.
Early phonological awareness through rhymes, rhythm, and sound play.

Daily Rhythm & Learning Environment

Children learn best through play and meaningful interactions. Our day balances child-initiated exploration with short, responsive adult-guided moments.

Daily outdoor learning in all weathers (appropriate clothing encouraged).
Continuous provision areas: role play, construction, creative arts, mark-making, small world, maths and investigation.
Small-group times for language, stories, songs, maths talk, and PE-style movement.
Calm routines for arrivals, mealtimes, rest, and transitions.

Observation, Assessment & Inclusion

Observe–assess–plan cycle focused on what children can do and need next, not paperwork for its own sake.
Two-year progress check completed in partnership with parents and carers.
Targeted support for communication and language; swift referrals where appropriate.
Inclusive practice for SEND with graduated responses and reasonable adjustments.

See Our Curriculum in Action

Visit us to experience our nature-led approach and talk with the team.

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References

Department for Education (2025) Early years foundation stage statutory framework . London: DfE. Available at: gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage-framework .