The Hive, Clifton High School’s nursery Pre-School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which places a strong emphasis on exploration, investigation, discovery and problem-solving.
During this first stage of learning, our experienced teaching staff primarily observe how children play, taking into account their interaction with activities and ask them appropriate, thought-provoking questions to encourage the expansion of deeper thinking skills. With these components considered, teachers adopt pedagogy to create learning opportunities that develop and challenge an enquiring mind.
THE CURRICULUM
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum consists of seven intertwined areas of learning and development. Three prime areas are integral in igniting curiosity and enthusiasm, building the foundations of capacity to learn and finally, forming relationships to thrive.
They are categorised as:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
Each component can be strengthened and applied through:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE TEACHING & LEARNING
The table of characteristics below is used to encompass children from birth to the end of Reception to demonstrate pupils' individual developmental levels:
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Playing and Exploring | Children investigate and experience things with a ‘have a go’ attitude |
| Active Learning | Children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy their achievements. |
| Creativity and Critical Thinking | Children have and develop their own ideas and make links between ideas. They develop strategies for doing things. |
Clifton High School places enormous value on the characteristics of effective teaching and learning, using them as foundational methods of practice from Nursery School through to Year 2.
