Areas of Learning
 | Our play activities and the experiences we provide for the children follow the standards set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage:
A Unique Child “every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self assured.” Every child is unique developing in individual ways at different rates. At Streatley Hill we plan for the individual, taking into account their interests and stage of development. All children are equal and are treated fairly; diversity is valued and respected. Children are supported and kept safe while having the opportunity to make their own choices. Positive Relationships “children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and other key people.” |
Parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. Working with parents has a positive result on children’s development; we actively encourage our parents to discuss their child and even come in and join us! Each child has a member of staff who is their “Key Person”, the adult who plans for them, records their progress, builds a relationship with them and knows them best.
Enabling Environments “the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning.” We observe our children so that experiences and routines flow with the children’s needs. We endeavour to provide a rich and varied environment, inside and out, safe and secure yet challenging and interesting. We work in partnership with other professionals such as Health Visitors and Speech Therapists to ensure the best outcomes for all our children and also with the local primary school to ensure a smooth transition. |  |
 | Learning and Development – “children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of Learning and Development are equally important and interconnected.” Play is central. It is during their play that children learn at the highest level. Active learning involves other people, objects, ideas and events that engage them for sustained periods. |
The six equal areas of learning are:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development. We promote turn taking, sharing and co-operation with other children and adults through group play activities. With individual support, children learn over time acceptable ways to express themselves and to have respect for the feelings of others around them.
Communication, Language and Literacy. Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency at every opportunity. This may be through talking and listening to each other or staff, hearing and joining in with stories, rhymes and songs. We help them understand that written symbols and letters carry meaning and have different purposes which they can experiment with themselves when they are ready.
Mathematical Development. Sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities form the basis of early mathematics. As their skills develop, the children learn to identify objects by shape, position, size, number and volume. Simple processes such as adding are gently introduced through songs, games and stories.
Physical Development. Our well equipped garden has a range of ride on toys, scooters, climbing frames, balls, hoops etc and we endeavour to spend time outside every day developing children’s confidence and enjoyment in the use of their own physical skills such as climbing, skipping, balancing. Fine motor skills are developed through the use of pencils, pens, beads, sewing etc.
Creative Development. A full range of art and craft resources are available to the children encouraging them to explore colour, texture, shapes and express their own ideas. The extensive dressing up box is very popular and used in conjunction with the home corner or shop (changed frequently according to current topic), it provides endless opportunities for imaginative role play.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World We encourage children to learn more about the world around them in the areas of science, technology, history and geography. We find out about why things happen and how they work, features of living things and objects, past and present events, the environment, cultures and beliefs. Everyday technology, the children’s senses and other manufactured and natural resources are used to support learning.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development. We promote turn taking, sharing and co-operation with other children and adults through group play activities. With individual support, children learn over time acceptable ways to express themselves and to have respect for the feelings of others around them.
Communication, Language and Literacy. Children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency at every opportunity. This may be through talking and listening to each other or staff, hearing and joining in with stories, rhymes and songs. We help them understand that written symbols and letters carry meaning and have different purposes which they can experiment with themselves when they are ready.
Mathematical Development. Sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting activities form the basis of early mathematics. As their skills develop, the children learn to identify objects by shape, position, size, number and volume. Simple processes such as adding are gently introduced through songs, games and stories.
Physical Development. Our well equipped garden has a range of ride on toys, scooters, climbing frames, balls, hoops etc and we endeavour to spend time outside every day developing children’s confidence and enjoyment in the use of their own physical skills such as climbing, skipping, balancing. Fine motor skills are developed through the use of pencils, pens, beads, sewing etc.
Creative Development. A full range of art and craft resources are available to the children encouraging them to explore colour, texture, shapes and express their own ideas. The extensive dressing up box is very popular and used in conjunction with the home corner or shop (changed frequently according to current topic), it provides endless opportunities for imaginative role play.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World We encourage children to learn more about the world around them in the areas of science, technology, history and geography. We find out about why things happen and how they work, features of living things and objects, past and present events, the environment, cultures and beliefs. Everyday technology, the children’s senses and other manufactured and natural resources are used to support learning.
