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Curriculum

Our curriculum is aligned with the ethos and values of our school which gives all children ‘A World of Possibilities’. It follows the Early Years Foundation Framework to plan and implement a wide range of stimulating, play based learning opportunities to promote all aspects of learning. 

The curriculum content is presented in a way that is appropriate to how very young children learn. It is our aim to ensure that your child has access to a positive, motivating and secure environment in which to develop their skills.

The Foundation Stage environment provides stimulating, exciting and well-organised resources for your child to use and explore at their own pace. The resources are easily accessible and presented in areas, which are referred to as Continuous Provision areas.

The Continuous Provision areas provided are, role play, water, reading area, malleable/ creative, construction, writing, mathematics, writing, mathematics, small world and outdoor play.

Provision is adapted through enhancements to expose children to new ways of doing things and exploring at their own rate. Topics are carefully planned to develop a natural curiosity within our children, promoting questioning and a love of learning from an early age.

Phonics

At Chantlers, we teach phonics using a systematic synthetic phonics programme called ‘Little Wandle’.

Our chosen texts are linked to the characteristics of effective learning, familiar stories and characters that the children already know to help reinforce the skills each character represents. Staff ensure they take time to share stories on a 1:1 basis, for any child hearing these stories for the first time, helping them to develop an understanding of each character.

Outdoor Play

Fresh air and vigorous activity are essential for children’s well-being, fitness and physical development. The more children’s muscles and senses are exercised, the more the brain will develop its capacity for learning. Our stimulating outdoor areas are well designed and offer exciting learning opportunities that extend the learning that happens indoors.

Each of our play areas are landscaped with all weather surfaces, climbing frames and a variety of activity panels and equipment. The outdoors provides endless possibilities for exploration and is an excellent place to express different feelings and emotions with places to be quiet, relax and daydream. Outdoor play is an important part of every child’s day and whatever the weather the children get plenty of fresh air.

Forest School

Our forest school area is within the school grounds and is an integral part of our school curriculum. It boasts a large pond and mature woodland environment, providing a wildlife reserve and a sensory green space. It enables our children to access a purpose-built pond dipping platform, nature trails and woodland habitats, creating an idyllic environment for delivering our forest school programme. 

We run an inspiring forest school programme incorporating weekly sessions providing an opportunity for our children to interact with nature, work together and build relationships with each other.

Forest school is a specialised approach to outdoor learning that aims to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning. It sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. At forest school our children can develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent.