Curriculum

At Mossley Hill Childcare our vision is to provide a happy, safe place which inspires young minds and lays the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.

Our nursery values of LOVE, RESPECT, COURAGE, COMMUNITY, and TRUTH are embedded in everything we do.

Our curriculum is centred around the “book a month” approach which involves using a chosen book as a central theme, to inspire learning activities that are then developed and expanded, led by children’s interests . Planning is focussed around the seven areas of the EYFS framework:

  • Communication & language
  • Physical development
  • Personal, social and emotional development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive arts & design

In addition to the focus book, additional texts are introduced e.g:

Focus Book – The Very Hungry Caterpillar,
Additional Books- Factual books about butterflies can be shared.

  • Wriggly, Wiggly Caterpillars by Debbie Tarbett
  • The Munching, Crunching caterpillar by Sheridan Cain & Jack Tickle
  • Frank is a Butterfly by Alex Latimer
  • The Butterfly Dance by Suzanne Barton
  • Mad About Minibeasts! by David Wojtowycz

Not every book or activity is linked to the focus text, as other areas may be explored at the same time e.g. skills based activities, special events or religious festivals.

Why use this approach?

The words children hear from books are often more complex and varied than those used in everyday conversation, potentially having a stronger impact on reading and learning abilities.

The book of the month provides a central theme that connects different areas of learning. It allows for a wide variety of experiences and individual interests to be planned for, rather than limiting learning by focusing on a rigid, pre-determined topic that may interest some children but not others.

Exposure to storybooks is incredibly important for young children as it significantly contributes to their cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. Reading aloud to children fosters a love of reading, enhances vocabulary, improves listening skills and lays the foundation for academic success.

We have several visiting peripatetic teachers who share their expertise with the children on a regular basis:

Funzo Phonics

Paul delivers high quality phonics sessions to our pre-school children in Sunflowers. He introduces initial sounds and children’s first cvc words (consonant, vowel, consonant) moving onto reading a range of simple 3 letter words. paul uses Funzo the alien, to deliver his lessons in a fun and stimulating way. Funzo helps paul to deliver a range of stories that focus on rhyme, alliteration and individual letters to engage the children, ensuring that positive learning behaviours are developed in preparation for the children’s transition to school.

Btales

Tasha delivers drama sessions which encourage children to use their imagination through acting out stories and adventures. Tasha used a range of engaging materials and props to help tell the stories and encourage self-expression.

Spanish

There are many benefits to exposing young children to foreign languages including cognitive development, social development and cultural awareness. Pete introduces basic Spanish words including colours, numbers, animals and greetings through story telling.

Mobile Petting Zoo

Visits allow opportunities for animal interaction.

In our wonderful location, outdoor learning plays a key role in our nursery curriculum. We have an amazing nursery garden and easy access to Sefton Park, where children can enjoy the outdoors throughout the year including:

  • Learning to care & nurture living things through growing & planting activities
  • Role play in our mud kitchen
  • Developing  gross motor skills by climbing, riding bikes, running, jumping, skipping
  • Nature walks and observing wildlife
  • A wide range of child-initiated activities and adult-led activities are organised throughout the day which are adapted to each age range.

BilinguaSing

There are many benefits to exposing young children to foreign languages including cognitive development, social development, enhancing their speech, building confidence and cultural awareness. BilinguaSing combine music with learning French, Spanish, German or Italian. Karine delivers interactive and lively sessions that engage children in so much fun that they don’t even realise they’re learning!

Diddi Dance

Diddi Dance is an accredited, award winning dance class provider. Suzi leads energetic, full of fun sessions that build confidence, co-ordination and creativity, encouraging a love of movement that will last a lifetime. The aim is to use dance as a catalyst to be the first stepping stone in a healthy and developed lifestyle for young children. Activities explore music from around the world as well as favourite rhymes and songs.

Daisies Curriculum

Activities focus on learning through play and exploration. There is a careful balance throughout the day of quiet times and structured play which includes stories, singing, cuddles, sleep time, building bricks, shape sorters, outside play, mini world and role play activities. As children develop they are introduced to craft activities such as painting, glueing, play-dough and sand and water play.

Buttercups Curriculum

As children develop they are introduced to a wider range of craft activities such as painting, glueing, play-dough and sand and water play. Children participate in engaging activities designed to strengthen fine and gross motor skills, develop communication skills to communicate their wants and needs, build vocabulary, introduce shapes, colours, numbers, and letters and participate in purposeful play and outdoor activities.

Sunflowers Curriculum

Our pre-schoolers continue to learn through play which has a greater emphasis on literacy and mathematics. Children listen to stories, choose books independently and develop their imagination and understanding of the world through a wide range of different texts. They develop language & listening skills and refine their social skills. Daily counting, number songs and exploration of shape, space and measures develop early mathematics skills.

Curriculum Enhancement Visits

We aim to provide termly one off experiences for the children. These will vary each
year but could include:

  • Mobile farm visits or other alternative animal encounters
  • People who help us visits – police visit, fire visit
  • Travelling theatre companies
  • The Story Barn or alternative literary based activities
    Willow Brook Reindeer Centre

Outdoor Learning

In our wonderful location, outdoor learning plays a key role in our nursery curriculum. We have an amazing nursery garden and easy access to Sefton Park, where children can enjoy the outdoors throughout the year including:

  • Learning to care & nurture living things through growing & planting activities
  • Role play in our mud kitchen
  • Developing gross motor skills by climbing, riding bikes, running, jumping, skipping
  • Nature walks
  • Observing and identifying wildlife
  • Understanding that we have to respect and care for our environment

Curriculum Intent

The Curriculum Intent for each specific age group is displayed in the rooms. A wide range of child-initiated activities and adult-led activities are organised throughout the day which are carefully tailored to meet the needs of each age range and provide progression as children mature.

Children’s learning is assessed against age related statements set out in Development Matters. This document provides detailed guidance on what to expect from children in different age groups within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), helping practitioners to determine if children are progressing as expected for their age.

Parent Partnership in Learning

We work closely with parents and carers to build and maintain communication, collaboration and engagement, creating a supportive environment that celebrates every child’s growth and learning. Our online learning journals create a detailed picture of each child’s unique development. We record and share each child’s daily care and learning routines including all their “Wow” moments.

Transition To School

Our curriculum gradually nurtures and develops all the skills, confidence and resilience children need to in order to be ready for their transition to school.

When it is time to transition, we celebrate all the children’s achievements and their time at Mossley Hill Childcare at our annual graduation party.