Our Curriculum

Intent, Implementation, and Impact

We aim to offer all children chances to play and explore, to actively learn through real life experiences building cultural capital to prepare them for the next stages in their lives.

Our Curriculum Intention

The purpose of teaching what we teach?

At Sherwood Green Nursery our vision is to provide a happy, caring, secure, safe and stimulating environment where children are at the heart of everything happens at nursery. Our curriculum aim to offer all children chances to play and explore, to actively learn through real life experiences building cultural capital to prepare them for the next stages in their lives.

Our goal is to insert strong foundations in the EYFS together with the characteristics of effective teaching and learning, as well as ethical and spiritual development so that our children are happy and curious lifelong learners.

Our curriculum is consequently the cultural capital, we know what our curious little learners need so that they can gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to succeed moving throughout their nursery journey. Children experiences within the nursery that provide awe and wonder based on their individuals interests and continuously teaching them all about what life has to offer in a play-based environment. We recognise and value individual’s strengths and talents and believe in praising effort and valuing the little steps that really make a difference to a child’s progress. We know that by doing this, we are building happy and secure children, who feel safe. Praise and clear boundaries contribute to the confidence and resilience of our children. Creating children who are independent, not only in their organisational skills but also in their learning, is a high priority for us. We believe that all children are intrinsically capable of amazing things and we develop this through having high expectations of all children based on their complex needs and backgrounds.

A language rich environment is vital and this is what we strive for within our settings.

Our Curriculum main key standards are:

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How We Implement Our Curriculum

How do we teach what we teach?

At Sherwood Green the pedagogy we follow is ‘The Curiosity Approach’. We use this to implement our curriculum and provide a sense of curiosity, awe, and wonder. The curriculum is planned for indoors and outdoors, aims to give children back their freedom by igniting their natural curiosity and imagination. When adopting this teaching method, children are able to think for themselves, make their own choices, and direct their own learning.

At Sherwood Green we provide a balance of child-initiated activities carefully thought out from their individual interests and learning structures, and purpose built activities which are created to engage and challenge the children in many different ways.

We meet the needs of all our children through planning opportunities that build upon and extend children’s knowledge, experience and develop their independence and confidence.

Our practitioners, then expertly support ‘In the moment’ to further improve and maintain their individual learning needs based on the 7 areas of the EYFS.

At Sherwood Green we believe that knowing more words makes you smarter. Which is why reading books is at the forefront of our teaching as this will really help progress all the children’s learning. We promote high quality interaction with the children so through regular engagement we can deliver a high quality of teaching.

These prime areas give children the core skills and confidence they need, helping them to engage fully in the next four ‘specific’ areas of learning.

The Impact Our Curriculum Has On Our Children

What have our children learnt and how well they have learnt it?

We believe that every child is unique and they all have potential to achieve. Ensuring we are meeting the standards and needs of all our children including EAL, SEND, Disadvantaged, Pupil Premium and small groups of children can be met within the environment of high quality first teaching, supported by targeted interventions where appropriate. In this way is can be seen to be impacting in a very positive way on children’s outcomes.

Ensuring we are meeting the standards and needs of our children including our disadvantaged children including SEND.

Our early year practitioners use their observations/assessments to identify the children’s starting points, and plan experiences and bespoke activities to ensure progress. Evidence of the children’s progress, which includes written observations, videos and photos and separately contributions from parents/carers are recorded on a child’s journey via our Parent Educational Blossom App and linked to the the seven areas of the EYFS. Our practitioners use this data to then assess the impact of learning by liaising with other staff members and this helps them create future actions plans.

These prime areas give children the core skills and confidence they need, helping them to engage fully in the next four ‘specific’ areas of learning.

Our Curriculum Intentions for Different Age Groups

At Sherwood Green, our curriculum is created to support each age group’s unique developmental needs, fostering growth and confidence as children move through each stage of early learning while closely following each child’s next steps.

3 months to 2 years

For children aged 3 months to 2 years, our focus is on supporting their developing sense of self, early language, and communication skills, alongside foundational motor development, to prepare them for future learning stages. We design activities that stimulate curiosity about the world and people around them, while encouraging movement and exploration. We help build their understanding of single words, foster positive relationships with their key person, and provide opportunities for physical growth through rolling, tummy time, crawling, and early independent walking. We support babies in grasping finger foods, bringing them to their mouth, and gradually sharing control of a spoon, bottle, or cup with key person support.

2 to 3 years

For children aged 2 to 3 years, our focus is on fostering independence, communication, and social skills. Through interactive activities like storytelling and songs. This curriculum builds on sensory and motor skills developed earlier, preparing toddlers for more advanced learning stages. We encourage building relationships with key people and enjoying play alongside others, as well as expanding language skills by understanding and using two-word phrases and simple sentences. Physical development activities focus on balance, spatial awareness, running, and climbing stairs. At this stage, children are encouraged to feed themselves, drink from a cup without spilling, and begin recognising when they need a nappy change, moving toward toilet training readiness.

3 to 5 years

At this stage, children are introduced to more advanced activities that stimulate their curious minds, language, and social skills, all with the goal of preparing them for the next stages of learning and readiness for school. The curriculum supports children in understanding their emotions, using more complex sentences, and confidently asking and answering questions. Social development is encouraged as they practice taking turns, sharing, and joining in with others’ play. We also promote independence by encouraging them to move confidently through activities like running, walking, sliding, and hopping.
Children are guided to eat independently using cutlery, self-serve their food and drinks, and put on their coats, fostering self-sufficiency.
We help children stay dry and clean during the day and support them in washing and drying their hands independently.
Our curriculum reinforces essential skills across key areas, including pre-writing skills, early math, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design, all aimed at ensuring they are well-prepared for school.

Sherwood Green Eccleshill

Sherwood Green Gateway