Curriculum Statement

Intent

Our curriculum is designed to nurture the whole child – emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively – from birth to five. Rooted in the statutory EYFS framework and guided by Development Matters (2021), it integrates a broad range of evidence-based theories and approaches, ensuring that every child, including those with SEND, can thrive.

We believe children learn best when they feel safe, secure, and valued. Our termly concepts provide a coherent structure that supports progression across all seven areas of learning and development.

Our curriculum draws on:

• Neuroscience: Bruce Perry, Siegel & Bryson’s work on brain development, emphasising regulation and relational safety.
• Attachment theory: Bowlby and Ainsworth’s principles ensure consistent, responsive caregiving underpins all learning.
• Child development theory: Piaget (constructivism), Vygotsky (social interaction, ZPD), Bruner (scaffolding), and Erikson (social-emotional stages) shape developmental expectations.
• Play, creativity & the arts: Inspired by Froebel, Malaguzzi (Reggio Emilia), and the Curiosity Approach, recognising play, exploration and creativity as central to learning.
• Interventions & programmes:
  • Letters and Sounds Phase 1 and WellComm for early communication.
  • Maths Champions (NDNA) and NCETM Maths Mastery for strong foundations in mathematical thinking.
  • Rainbow SEAL and Thrive Approach for social and emotional development.
  • Healthy Movers (Youth Sport Trust) for physical development.
  • Derbyshire Celebratory Checklist for inclusive SEND planning.

Through this, we aim to develop resilient, creative, empathetic children with a strong sense of identity and belonging.

Implementation

• Thematic progression: Each half-term is planned around developmental concepts that align with children’s lived experiences and interests. Babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers follow age-appropriate termly focuses, ensuring progression through the birth-to-five pathway.
• Integrated curriculum: All seven areas of learning (PSED, Communication & Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive Arts & Design) are woven into the termly concepts, alongside music and the arts.
• Development Matters mapping: Each concept is explicitly linked to Development Matters statements for Birth–3, 3–4, and 4–5, ensuring continuity and progression.
• SEND inclusivity: SEND outcomes are embedded in every plan, drawing on the Derbyshire Celebratory Checklist and strategies such as small-step targets, sensory learning, and consistent visual/communication support.
• Pedagogical approaches:
  • Play-based, child-led learning inspired by the Curiosity Approach.
  • Adult-guided interventions (WellComm, Thrive, SEAL, Maths Champions).
  • Role of the adult as co-explorer, scaffolder, and emotional container.
• Parental engagement: Families are supported through shared strategies (e.g., home communication games from WellComm, maths play ideas from NDNA), strengthening the home-learning link.

Impact

By the end of the EYFS, children will:

• Demonstrate secure emotional wellbeing (Thrive, SEAL, attachment theory) with resilience and self-regulation strategies.
• Communicate confidently, using a wide vocabulary supported by WellComm and Letters and Sounds.
• Show strong early mathematical thinking, reasoning and problem-solving, grounded in NCETM Mastery and Maths Champions.
• Be physically active and healthy, with foundations for lifelong movement confidence through Healthy Movers.
• Explore, create, and express themselves in diverse ways, developing imagination and a love for the arts (Froebel, Reggio, Curiosity Approach).
• Develop curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, applying learning across contexts.
• Have a sense of identity, belonging and community, showing empathy, respect, and responsibility towards others and the environment.
• Achieve a positive trajectory towards the Early Learning Goals, while children with SEND make strong progress against personalised outcomes.

Our curriculum ensures that every child leaves the EYFS as a confident, capable, and curious learner, ready for the next stage of their educational journey.

Find our SENsory Curriculum here