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Children’s Development and Learning

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At Playhouse Pre-School, children’s development and learning are guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). We provide a caring, stimulating and inclusive environment where children aged 9 months to 5 years can learn, explore, develop and thrive.

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We recognise that every child is unique and develops at their own pace. Our curriculum reflects each child’s individual interests, experiences, abilities, developmental stage and needs. We aim to give every child the best possible start, helping them to develop confidence, independence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

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How We Provide for Development and Learning

 

Children begin learning about the world around them from birth. At Playhouse, we recognise the importance of warm, responsive relationships, meaningful interactions and opportunities to explore from the earliest months.

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Our practitioners get to know each child well and use their knowledge of the child’s interests, development and individual needs to provide appropriate experiences and learning opportunities. We support children to develop new skills, build relationships, express themselves and become confident learners.

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We understand that babies, toddlers and older children learn in different ways. Our provision reflects their changing needs, providing opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, communication, imaginative play, problem-solving and increasing independence.

The Seven Areas of Learning

 

The EYFS identifies seven interconnected areas of learning and development. These are divided into three Prime Areas and four Specific Areas. All seven areas are important in supporting children’s overall development.

 

Prime Areas

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – Children develop a sense of who they are, build secure relationships, develop confidence and learn to recognise and manage their feelings. They begin to understand the feelings and needs of others and develop positive relationships.

• Physical Development – Children develop their gross and fine motor skills, coordination, strength and control. Through movement, active play and exploration, they develop physical confidence and increasing independence in their personal care and everyday routines.

• Communication and Language – Children develop their listening, attention, understanding and speaking skills through responsive interactions, conversations, stories, songs, rhymes and play. We place great importance on supporting early communication, language development and the growth of vocabulary.

 

Specific Areas

• Literacy – Children develop a love of books, stories, rhymes and songs. They explore sounds, pictures, symbols and mark-making, gradually building the foundations for reading and writing.

• Mathematics – Children develop their understanding of numbers, counting, patterns, shapes, space, measure and quantities through practical activities, play and everyday experiences.

• Understanding the World – Children explore the people, families, communities, nature and environments around them. They learn about similarities and differences, investigate the natural world and begin to understand the technology they encounter in everyday life.

• Expressive Arts and Design – Children explore music, movement, singing, dancing, art, design, imaginative play and a variety of materials. They are encouraged to express their ideas, experiment creatively and develop their own ways of communicating and representing their experiences. 

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Learning Through Play

 

Play is at the heart of our curriculum. Children learn by exploring, experimenting, creating, practising skills, communicating and developing relationships with others.

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Our practitioners provide a rich and stimulating environment where children can follow their interests, make choices and explore their own ideas. Alongside child-led play, adults offer guidance, modelling, encouragement and purposeful teaching when appropriate to extend learning and introduce new experiences.

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We observe, interact and talk with children to extend their thinking, introduce new vocabulary, encourage problem-solving and support the development of new skills.

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Our planning is flexible and responsive to the children in our care. We provide meaningful experiences based on children’s interests, individual needs and stages of development, while ensuring that opportunities for learning across all seven areas of the EYFS are provided.

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We may share curriculum information and planned experiences with parents and carers to give an insight into what children might explore at pre-school. However, we recognise that some of the most valuable learning opportunities arise spontaneously from children’s interests, discoveries and everyday experiences. We adapt our plans to respond to these opportunities and the children’s developing needs.

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Characteristics of Effective Learning

 

We recognise the importance of how children learn, as well as what they learn.

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The EYFS identifies three Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning:

• Playing and Exploring – Children investigate, explore new experiences, discover how things work and develop the confidence to have a go.

• Active Learning – Children develop concentration, keep trying when things are challenging and experience satisfaction in achieving their goals.

• Creating and Thinking Critically – Children develop their own ideas, make connections between experiences, explore possibilities and find different ways to solve problems.

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Our practitioners support these characteristics by providing opportunities for children to explore, make choices, experiment, take appropriate risks, develop their own ideas and become confident, motivated learners.

You, Your Child and Your Key Person

 

We use a key person approach to help every child feel safe, secure and valued at Playhouse.

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Your child’s key person takes time to get to know them, understand their individual needs and interests, and build a warm, trusting relationship. They work closely with you to help ensure that our provision reflects your child’s experiences, development and needs.

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When your child starts at Playhouse, their key person will support them through the settling-in process, helping them to feel comfortable and develop a sense of belonging. They will continue to support your child throughout their time with us, encouraging their learning, development and wellbeing.

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We value the knowledge that parents and carers have about their children and believe that strong partnerships between home and pre-school are essential. We encourage regular communication and welcome information about your child’s experiences, interests, routines and achievements at home.

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Our online learning journal also provides an opportunity for us to share your child’s experiences and celebrate their progress with you.

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Assessment and Your Child’s Learning

 

Assessment is an ongoing part of our everyday practice. Our practitioners observe and interact with children as they play, explore, communicate and participate in daily routines and experiences.

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We use our professional knowledge, observations and conversations with children and their families to build an understanding of what each child knows, understands and can do, what interests them and where further support or challenge may be helpful.

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We recognise that children develop at different rates and that learning is not a linear process. We consider each child’s individual journey and use what we learn to plan meaningful experiences that support their next steps in development.

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We do not expect children to complete activities simply to create evidence of their learning. Instead, assessment is naturally woven into everyday experiences and interactions, allowing our practitioners to respond to children’s needs and support their progress without unnecessary paperwork.

 

We work in partnership with parents and carers, sharing information about children’s development and learning throughout their time at Playhouse. As part of the EYFS, we also complete the progress check at age two, working with parents and carers to recognise children’s strengths and identify any areas where additional support may be beneficial.

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My Learning Journal

 

We use eyLog, an online learning journal, to share your child’s experiences, learning and achievements with you.

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We encourage parents and carers to contribute by sharing photographs, experiences, interests and achievements from home. This helps us build a fuller picture of your child’s development and interests and enables us to make meaningful connections between their home and pre-school experiences.

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We believe that working in partnership with parents and carers is an important part of supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing. By sharing information and celebrating achievements together, we can help every child feel valued and supported as they grow.

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